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
UPDATE on Georgia DUI Law In a stunning display of forward thinking, the Georgia Supreme Court reversed the decisions of two lower courts recently, finding that Georgia Police Departments are not allowed to just stop anyone anywhere at any time for any reason and hold a roadblock. While it has ...
A pedestrian was struck by a vehicle near the 600 Block of Clover Street at around 11:40 last night, not once, but several times. According to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, the driver of the vehicle, Bryan Bush, allegedly ran over the victim, then put his car in reverse and backed over him, ...
According to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution early on the morning of October 18th, a driver ran his car off the road and through the front of a pharmacy, located near the intersection of Piedmont Avenue and Cheshire Bridge. Â Ironically, the pharmacy is located between a DUI school and the Anchor...
Have you ever been in a situation where you're out to dinner with friends and you've had a few drinks and you're wondering whether you should be driving home? Â How long will it take to feel the effects of the drinks you've had? Â Once the effects do kick in, how bad will they get, and how long wil...
On Saturday morning at around 11:00 am in Cherokee County on Highway 9, Victoria Lynn Tucker was stopped by a Milton police officer for driving erratically. Â Upon making contact with her, the officer noticed she had trouble opening her eyes and had slurred speech. Â According to the officer, "I co...
Atlanta DUI Attorney - Atlanta DUI Lawyer Every weekend I receive 7-8 calls from people arrested who have court on Monday morning in Atlanta Municipal Court. The first question everyone asks why they have court so soon? Or, I am asked if this really is their court date? The answer to the quest...
Former NBA guard Mookie Blaylock is facing several charges for a car accident he caused on Friday, June 1st in Jonesboro, GA when his vehicle left its lane and hit a van with 2 passengers inside. Not only is he now being charged with driving on a suspended license and failure to maintain his lan...
According to WSBTV, Concepcion Rememo was was arrested for DUI and Child Endangerment on Sunday. Â She allegedly failed a field sobriety test, and she allegedly refused a breath test. The offense happened on Grimes Bridge Road, in Roswell Georgia. In Georgia, Child Endangerment is considered ...
A few weeks ago, it was announced that the Atlanta Prosecutors would no longer sign orders that allow Atlanta DUI Lawyers to get copies of the videos of our client's Georgia State Patrol Arrests. As a result, we as Atlanta DUI Attorneys will be forced to make substantive decisions about our cas...
According to news reports, actress Reese Witherspoon has been charged with Disorderly Conduct during the Atlanta DUI Arrest of her husband. According to the Georgia State Patrol Arrest report, she was told by the Trooper to remain in her vehicle, and she allegedly did not comply with the office...
Have You Been Arrested for DUI in Atlanta Georgia? This past weekend has an inordinate number of people arrested for DUI in Atlanta. I have no idea the actual numbers, but if the number of calls to my office, many people were arrested. It is important to remember to hire an Atlanta DUI Lawyer before the weekend is over.
DUI Arrests in Atlanta have court dates in Atlanta Municipal Court. In Atlanta Municipal Court, your case will be prosecuted in only 60 days. If the case is not resolved in 60 days, your case will be sent to the State Court of Fulton County.
According to the AJC, Alpharetta Councilman Michael Cross has been arrested for DUI in Alpharetta. The AJC reports he was also charged with Child Endangerment. What the article fails to mention is that Georgia DUI Child Endangerment is actually considered a separate DUI offense in Georgia.
If you are arrested for DUI in Atlanta Georgia, your court date is very likely the following Monday morning. This seems odd to those arrested and is quite stressful. Nevertheless, you initial court date in Atlanta Municipal Court is in fact Monday morning. That being said, people having confus...
Is there an advantage in hiring a local lawyer, a lawyer that lives in the community where the arrest occurred? I am asked at least once a week whether someone needs to hire the local attorney. There is the assumption that having someone that works with the prosecution and judges on a daily bas...
The most frustrating thing in Georgia DUI Defense is the Administrative License Suspension Hearing. Very often our clients have potentially good cases, but because they allegedly refused the State's chemical test, they are facing a "hard suspension" of their drivers license. A hard suspension me...
Very often at an initial client meeting or telephone consultation tells me he or she passed the field sobriety tests given in their Georgia DUI Case. Unless someone knows how the tests are scored, it is impossible to know how well an arrested driver did on them.
According to Onlineathens, an arrest is imminent in the hit and run case where Emily Bowman. The truck driven by the alleged hit and run driver has been found, and there is evidence of empty beer cans and a liquor bottle.
According to the Atlanta Journal Constitution (AJC), 19 year old Emily Bowman was struck by a hit and run driver in Athens. There is simply no excuse for this kind of behavior. Almost all driving offenses are crimes of general intent. This means that people generally make a mistake that causes ...
Has your child been charged with DUI as a Juvenile in Georgia? One of the toughest things a family can go through is the arrest of their child. The disappointment is compounded when it is for DUI. One the most important things to know is that even though the crime is charged in a Georgia Juven...
One of the most difficult things for clients and potential clients to understand is why certain people have their DUI cases dismissed or reduced while others do not. Many times the fact that an outcome is different is because of the particular jurisdiction or even a particular judge or prosecutor.
Atlanta DUI Lawyer - Atlanta DUI Attorney With the the present changes in Atlanta Municipal Court, the question comes up more often as to whether to keep your Atlanta DUI Case in city court or bind it over to the State Court of Fulton County. The Atlanta DUI Lawyers at the Law Offices of Richar...
What Happens If I Miss Court In Atlanta Municipal Court: Missing a court date in the City of Atlanta Municipal Court will put your case in Failure to Appear status, which can then lead to a license suspension and additional fees. It can also result in a bench warrant for your arrest. Anyone arrested for DUI in Atlanta will have court the next business day. If the arrested took place over a weekend, you will have court Monday morning at 8:00 a.m.
One of the most unusual things about being arrested for DUI in Atlanta Georgia is that if you are arrested over the weekend (even on Sunday) you are likely to have court first thing the following Monday morning. Â This causes the arrested person to suffer the additional trauma of having to hire a ...
Atlanta DUI Lawyer - Atlanta DUI Attorney If your DUI case is going to be heard in the City of Atlanta Municipal Court, you may have been arrested by either a Georgia Department of Public Safety Officer (Georgia State Patrol) or an Atlanta Police Officer. The Georgia Department of Public Safety...
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!
