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
If you were arrested for DUI in Georgia over the holidays, the biggest mistake you can make is to ignore your case until after the holidays. No one wants to deal with a criminal arrest over the holiday season. Combined with that fact is that your court date is likely in January or February. As...
The purpose of this website and the blog is to provide readers the most up to date information on Georgia DUI Law and Georgia DUI Cases. With the Georgia DUI Information on the website, I will also provide my opinion and analysis. The facts and the law are found in the practice areas section an...
Today I watched a video of a client who looked stone-cold sober to me. However, he was scored a "failure" on his field sobriety tests by the arresting police officer. Interestingly, the scoring of the field sobriety tests in his Atlanta DUI Case were probably done according to NHSTA Standards. ...
One of the most frustrating thing as an Atlanta DUI Lawyer is the number of people who call my office who are charged with DUI who have allegedly refused to submit to a breath, blood, or urine test.  If you have been charged with a DUI Refusal in Atlanta Georgia, contact an Atlanta DUI Attorney a...
It has been reported in the Atlanta media, including the television news and the AJC, that there was a head-on collision involved in her case. When a person is involved in a car accident involving a DUI, it is many times assumed that the DUI Driver is at fault in the accident. This assumption ...
Fox 5 anchor Amanda Davis was arrested for DUI in Atlanta according to the Atlanta Journal Constitution. She was involved in an automobile accident and arrested for DUI thereafter. According the AJC, she refused field sobriety testing and the State-Administered Breath Test. Now, there is no re...
If you are charged with MIP in Georgia or Minor in Possession of Alcohol, this is a criminal offense that can stay with you for life. It can also suspend your Georgia Drivers License. Having a life-time criminal record can take away so many potential opportunities, some of which you cannot imagi...
Probation Violations and Revocation in Georgia If you have been sentenced to a period of probation in Georgia, you have actually been sentenced to a jail sentence that is being allowed to be served out of custody. Many times people forget that if your violate probation in Georgia, you can be se...
Ten Winning Strategies in Georgia DUI Cases Even if there is significant evidence against you, procedures during the stop and subsequent arrest may not have been correctly followed and certain evidence may be challenged so that it is inadmissible at trial and cannot be used against you or may ev...
Standardized Field Sobriety Tests If an officer makes a traffic stop and suspects you are under the influence of alcohol, the officer will likely ask you to step out of your vehicle to determine whether you’re safe to continue driving. Law enforcement officers are trained to administer standardi...
Georgia DUI Child Endangerment In Georgia, any person who is charged with DUI while a child under the age of 14 is a passenger in the vehicle will also be charged with the separate offense of endangering a child. You will be charged with one count of child endangerment for each child under the...
Fighting a First DUI Case in Georgia The question comes up everyday; should a potential client fight their first Georgia DUI. It makes sense because pleading guilty costs less money and takes less time. For many people, it's hard justify the added expense and risk. We do offer plea bargains in...
Does it make a difference if a person hires a Georgia DUI Lawyer?
Georgia Administrative License Hearings (Georgia ALS Hearings) Explained: In any case where the driver is suspected of and arrested for DUI in Georgia, there will be the possibility of an administrative suspension of your Georgia driver’s license or privilege to drive in this state. This is a s...
A DUI arrest in Atlanta Georgia is handled differently than in other Georgia jurisdictions.
The Consequences of Habitual Violator In Georgia If you are convicted of committing certain offenses three or more times within a five-year period you will be declared a habitual violator. These predicate offenses are as follows: DUI Homicide by Vehicle Serious Injury by Vehicle Fleei...
Have you been charged with DUI in Fulton County? If you have received a DUI in Fulton County, you probably have figured out that your case is unlikely to begin in Fulton County State Court. Most of Fulton County is divided into Municipalities. As a result, your case will start out in a municip...
4th DUI Penalties in Georgia A Fourth lifetime DUI in Georgia is a felony offense, but only convictions on or after July 1, 2008 are considered for this purpose. The maximum penalty for a 4th DUI conviction in Georgia is 5 years in jail and a $5,000.00 fine plus court surcharges. The minimum pen...
3rd DUI Penalties in Georgia A third Georgia DUI is a serious matter than can affect the rest of your life.  It can result in serious jail-time and loss of license  It can also cause you to become declared an habitual violator.  If declared an habitual violator, you will lose your ability to dri...
2nd DUI Penalties in Georgia A 2nd DUI within 10 years in Georgia carries harsh penalties and consequences. The maximum penalty for a second DUI conviction in Georgia is 12 months incarceration and a $1,000.00 fine plus court surcharges. The minimum penalty is 72 hours in jail, with credit for ...
1st DUI Penalties in Georgia In Georgia, a DUI conviction, even a first offense, carries harsh penalties and consequences.It is important to get the best possible legal representation in order to avoid these potential consequences. Richard Lawson is a former DUI Prosecutor with more than 17 yea...
Every day I am called by at least one person who had a DUI that was not properly defended or defended at all. The caller usually asks: "Is there a way to expunge or seal my DUI?" I speak to each person to make sure there isn't anything that can be done. Unfortunately, once a DUI is on your rec...
Have you visited Georgia recently and while here arrested for DUI? Most people do not realize that being an out of state driver can have a significant impact on the type of advice they receive in regards to a DUI arrest. An out of state driver will face many issues that a Georgia driver will no...
Were you arrested in Georgia by the Georgia State Patrol? I am often asked whether there is a difference if your DUI Arrest was by the GSP ( Georgia State Patrol ) or a county / city officer. The big picture answer is simply that there is no difference. Georgia DUI Law is the same in every cou...
If you are arrested for DUI in Georgia, and it is your first offense, it is an extremely stressful event. For those whose arrest is their first offense, you may feel like you have no place to turn. Don't panic. Your first step is to choose the best DUI defense. You have many options, but time...
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!
