The laws on DUIs are ever-changing and each year, thousands of DUI cases are taken up on appeal across the nation. Many of these result in written opinions by judges that then become law. In addition, each new DUI or traffic-related offense in the news has the potential to cause changes in the law. These changes are the result of public reaction to serious car accidents and deaths on the roadways of the United States.
That is why Richard Lawson has developed this website; to provide you with 24-hour access to the latest updates on DUI laws and DUI related news. Our goal is to inform our clients and the general public about the latest news and legal decisions. Accordingly, we update our blog and the entire website daily. All of our articles are written by the Georgia DUI Lawyers that work for our firm or affiliates.
For instance, there has been a flurry of legal activity over the legality of roadblocks, in Georgia and across the nation. Seen as a minor intrusion by some courts and an unnecessary infringement upon Fourth Amendment rights by others, the matter seems far from settled. Roadblocks must be established in accordance with the United States and Georgia Constitutions. The police cannot simply have a roadblock any place or any time they want.
There also has been a rash of injuries and deaths on our roadways. The death or injury of any motorist is a tragedy, and as a result; our legislature reacts to the carnage on the road with new laws designed to curb accidents. That is why our laws change every year.
Another recent change in the law regards the 'Boating Under the Influence' legislation in the State. The Boating code was completely overhauled in 2013; attorneys who do not regularly practice DUI law might be unaware of the new changes to the law.
Knowledge is power, and this blog is designed to help you take the most updated information on your defense. It is our goal for you to use the wealth of information on this site; including the Georgia Information Blog, Resources, and Practice Areas pages to help you decide the best course of action in your DUI case.Â
Channel 2 Action News recently began an investigation into the increased number of crashes on Peachtree Road in Buckhead over the past couple of years. They found that sideswipe accidents had almost doubled; increasing from 64 to 113 between 2010 and 2012. Rear-end crashes have also been on the...
Lamar Odom, former NBA player and husband of reality TV star Khloe Kardashian pleaded no contest Monday to a DUI charge and received a sentence of three years' probation and 90 days of alcohol abuse treatment. He must complete the alcohol abuse treatment program by June 2014. Odom made a deal...
According to the AJC, a tractor-trailer lost control causing three accidents.  The accident caused a Chevy Impala to rear end a Nissan Maxima. Unfortunately, the tractor-trailer hit a BMW causing it to cross I285 and hit a fence.  The driver of the BMW was taken to Grady Hospital where he passed ...
One of the first questions I ask a new client is how much did they have to drink, and what were they drinking. I have learned over the last 18 years that many people unintentionally consume too many alcoholic beverages. I am not saying people do not take responsibility for their actions. Howe...
Back in January of this year, a new judge started handling all the DUI cases in Atlanta Municipal Court. If you have been arrested for DUI in Atlanta Georgia, your case will be assigned to Judge Christopher Ward, courtroom 5A. The year has seen for very positive changes in his courtroom. No pla...
The first thing my clients ask is when they can see the video of their DUI arrest. The assumption is that all police officers take videos of their cases.  Interestingly, most Atlanta Police officers do not have video. However, the Atlanta DUI task force has video.  In addition, the Georgia Stat...
When a person is arrested in the city of Atlanta, many times they are unaware that there are two cases pending against them. The first case is the criminal case at Atlanta Municipal Court or Fulton County State Court. In the criminal case, a court date is assigned to the accused and attendance ...
If you have been arrested for DUI in Atlanta GA, you need to make sure you do not miss your court date. One of the biggest mistake people make is when they fail to carefully read all of their court-related and arrest-related paperwork. This can cause a missed court appearance or even going to ...
Imagine you're a single female, driving on your way back to the office after having lunch and you're directed by a police officer to pull into a deserted parking lot. After doing as you're told, he has you roll down your window and asks you for a sample of your DNA. You are given a few “choices...
As most drivers know, the toll on GA 400 ended on Friday. Over the next several months the state will be tearing down the toll plaza and re-routing traffic. As of today, drivers were funneled to the two far left lanes while the rest of the plaza area was closed. This is a major change from prio...
In the past few weeks, there has been far too many serious injuries and deaths on our roads. We have reported about the car surfing death, the fatal bus crash in Gwinnett County, the garbage truck fatality, and the deaths in Henry County. All of these death have involved alcohol or drug consumpti...
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution just reported that a verdict has been returned in the trial of Mr. Paul Bennett, 45, of Cumming, Georgia and the boating accident he was involved in on June 18th of 2012. Â Two boys, aged 9 and 13 died as a result of the collision that took place between Mr. Bennet...
An ill-conceived teenaged stunt ended in the death of one Dawsonville teen and homicide charges for another, reports the Atlanta Journal -Constitution. State Troopers have charged a Dawson County teen, aged 16 with Vehicular Homicide, reckless driving, driving too fast for conditions and violat...
According to the AJC, Falcons running back Jason Snelling was arrested for possession of marijuana, possssion of drug-related objects, no drivers license on person, and failure to maintain lane (presumably the basis of the initial traffic stop). Snelling admitted to smoking marijuana earlier and...
The Gainesville Times is following a 'Boating Under the Influence' trial taking place in Hall County Superior Court this week. Â The case involves a boating collision and the deaths of two children, Jake Prince, age 13 and Griffin Prince, age 9. Â The accident that is the subject of the trial happe...
Fatal Bus Crash in Gwinnett County The Gwinnett Daily Post reports that a Gwinnett County Transit Bus ran a red light at the intersection of Ralph David Abernathy Boulevard and Central Avenue, colliding with a FedEx truck, then slamming into the Museum Bar at around 4:00 pm on Monday afternoon (...
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported today that two people are dead as a result of a multi-car wreck which took place in Henry County yesterday afternoon (Sunday, November 10th) at around 3:30 pm on Georgia 81, near Sowell Road. According to reports traffic was backed up because of cars tur...
According to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution and MyFoxAtlanta.com alcohol may have been a factor in the fatal garbage truck roll-over accident earlier this week on I-75 in Atlanta. The garbage truck, attempting to exit the southbound I-75 off ramp at Cleveland Avenue, over corrected and left th...
In Henry County, the prosecutors have implemented a set of sentencing guidelines similar to how things work in federal court. The grid assigns points for the number of prior DUI's and criminal offenses and to the circumstances in the present case. For example, points are assessed for refusing to...
One of things that I teach a new attorneys in my office is that the local customs and procedures are different in every court system. In theory, this shouldn't be the case. Georgia courts operate under the uniform rules of state, superior, or municipal court. As a result. court procedures shoul...
FATAL HIT AND RUN IN MARIETTA - UPDATE The Atlanta Journal - Constitution reported that Marietta Police have taken Dannie Albert Mondor into custody, following a fatal hit and run collision on I-75 in Cobb County on Saturday. Â According to police Mr. Mondor, driving an RV with Florida tags, st...
Hit and Run in Sandy Springs At around 3:00 am this morning (Sunday, October 27th) a motorist driving a black Honda Accord slammed into a light pole, knocking out traffic lights at Glenridge Drive and Roswell Road in Sandy Springs, reported the Atlanta Constitution-Journal. The driver escaped ...
FATAL HIT AND RUN Police in Marietta and across northern Georgia are looking for the driver of a recreational vehicle with Canadian tags after a fatal hit and run chain reaction collision on Saturday (October 26th). Â The RV has Florida license plates, numbered BZR-W69 and may be pulling motorcyc...
One of the most frustrating things for people is the fact that every court in Georgia seems to have their own way of doing things. With the advent of the Uniform Rules of Superior court, all courts were supposed to comply with the new rules. Of course, that was great in theory. However, in pra...
One of the most interesting things about the traffic laws in Georgia is that they are all found in Title 40 of the Georgia Criminal Code.  As a result, all Georgia traffic offenses are actually misdemeanors.  That reality is a shock to almost anyone who gets a "ticket." In more progressive state...
At the Law Office of Richard S. Lawson, we have offices conveniently located throughout metro Atlanta and throughout Georgia. If we do not have a convenient office, we will come to you. We practice throughout Metro Atlanta and North Georgia. If your case is in an area we do not serve, we will find you an attorney in your area free of charge. Our office is part of a State-wide network of Georgia DUI Lawyers. Contact us 24/7 for immediate legal help. Our attorneys are standing by. Your DUI Case will not defend itself. Your Best Georgia DUI Defense Begins Here!
