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
Very often I am asked how and why I became an Atlanta DUI Lawyer. The question implies that there is something wrong with making our government and its imperfect actors prove the guilt of someone accused. In fact, it's incredibility offensive to me when prosecutors come before a jury and say the...
I am often asked about the possibility of a favorable plea bargain after an Atlanta DUI arrest. The short answer is that most cases are settled by a plea bargain, and the Atlanta Court system is no exception. The Atlanta City Prosecutors have an incentive to work out cases due to the sheer numbe...
You have an absolute right to a trial in your Atlanta DUI Case. The key decision is whether to have a trial in Atlanta Municipal Court or in the Fulton County State Court. At our office we investigate every case before ever making a decision to have a trial. There are always potential defenses an...
Do you need an Atlanta DUI Lawyer? As of January 14, 2013, a new judge is now hearing the DUI Cases in Atlanta Municipal Court. If you are arrested for DUI in Atlanta Georgia, your case will start in courtroom 5A. Court generally starts at 8:00 a.m. If you are late, you can be held in contempt...
A DUI arrest in Atlanta can be embarrassing, frightening, and not knowing how it can affect your driver's license, employment, and many other aspects of your life can be frustrating. In Georgia, a DUI conviction, even a first offense, carries harsh penalties and consequences including jail time a...
If a Georgia Department of Public Safety Officer, Georgia State Patrol Officer, Hall County Sheriff, or police officer of one of the many municipalities within Hall County arrests you for DUI, your case may be heard in the State Court of Hall County. Traffic violations, DUI, and drug offenses oc...
According to the Atlanta Journal Constitution, Frank Circelli of the Gem Shopping Network has been arrested twice for DUI in Gwinnett County. The arrests happened in Suwanee, a city inside Gwinnett County. Two DUI arrests in a short period of time is a very serious matter that can result in loss...
Have You Been Arrested For DUI in Atlanta Georgia and Have Submitted to Urine Testing?
As of January 1, 2013, there are important changes to the DUI Laws in Georgia insofar as second offense DUI's.  Those changes are covered in detail on this Georgia DUI Information Website in the Second Georgia DUI Practice Area. These change have the possibility to fundamentally alter the conseq...
Blood Tests and Blood Testing in Atlanta, Georgia As discussed previously, if you are arrested in this state for DUI, Georgia law requires you to submit to chemical testing of your breath, blood, or urine to determine the presence of alcohol or drugs. Blood tests are most commonly requested whe...
According to the AJC, Amanda Davis has a new arraignment date of January 9th, in Atlanta Municipal Court. Arraignment is where a person charged with DUI in Atlanta enters her initial plea of guilty or not guilty. Â In addition, all motions challenging the evidence must be file at or before arraign...
Did You Submit to a Breath Test as a Result of a DUI Arrest in Atlanta GA? If you are arrested in the State of Georgia for DUI, Georgia law requires you to submit to chemical testing of your breath, blood, or urine to determine the presence of alcohol or drugs. Because of the ease of testing wi...
Forsyth County DUI Lawyer - Forsyth County DUI Attorney The Georgia Governor's Office of Highway Safety has awarded the Forsyth County Sheriff's Office $69,800 in funding as a H.E.A.T. grant. The H.E.A.T. (Highway Enforcement of Aggressive Traffic) project includes twenty-two Georgia counties a...
If you are on probation in the City of Atlanta or Fulton County, your life in on a short leash. You will be required to report to your probation officer as directed, pay fines, perform community service, attend DUI School, attend counseling sessions, attend a victim impact panel (MADD Mothers Vi...
How Your DUI Case Will Proceed in the City of Atlanta Each DUI case in the City of Atlanta has a specific sequence of events that take place, and having an Atlanta DUI lawyer at your side from the very beginning is important to ensure that your case proceeds smoothly. Atlanta DUI Lawyers can he...
If you have been arrested for DUI in Atlanta GA, there are several steps you must take to protect your rights. Whether an arrest by the Georgia State Patrol, Georgia Tech Police, or the Atlanta Police Department, your first step is having your DUI Attorney in Atlanta file your 10 day letter. T...
I am asked every day, what is the Gwinnett County Recorders Court and why is my case starting there. The Gwinnett Recorders Court is the court where all traffic misdemeanors, such as a DUI in Gwinnett County, begin. If you were arrested in the unincorporated areas of the county, your DUI case w...
If you are arrested within the City of Atlanta, your case will either begin in the Atlanta Municipal Court or Fulton County State Court. In Atlanta Municipal Court, the case goes on what lawyers call the rocket docket. The entire investigation of your Atlanta DUI case must be completed within o...
So, you have been arrested for DUI in Atlanta by the Georgia State Patrol Nighthawks or the Atlanta Police Department and your arraignment is the following Monday.
Should you refuse the breath test in Georgia
I am often asked what will happen to a person's drivers license if they receive a drug charge in Georgia. Drug charges carry heavy penalties in the State of Georgia, including jail time, probation terms with random drug and alcohol screening, hefty fines, community service, and substance abuse c...
Was There Probable Cause in Your Atlanta DUI Case? In every Atlanta DUI Case, it is important to determine whether probable cause existed to place you under arrest for DUI of alcohol or drugs. The Atlanta Police establish probable cause by observing certain clues of impairment. This most common...
The Speeding Laws in Georgia - Georgia Traffic Law A law enforcement officer typically determines whether a person is speeding through either the use of a speed detection device or by pacing your vehicle with his own. Radar detection is the most common method of speed detection. Both laser and...
The most disturbing development in DUI law enforcement throughout the United States and Georgia is the advent of forced blood testing.
According to the Atlanta Journal Constitution, 19 people were killed in vehicle accidents in Georgia this past weekend. In addition, there were 622 wrecks. This is up from 13 deaths and 303 accidents last year. Twice as many accidents is frankly alarming. AJC Link. Please be careful. Have a ...
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!
