Dahlonega DUI Lawyer - Dahlonega DUI Attorney
In Dahlonega, DUI is unfortunately a common offense and can happen to anyone. It happens most often to people who have never been arrested and most likely will never be arrested again. The Lumpkin County Sheriff and the University of North Georgia Police Department make dozens of arrests every month.  Over 25 years ago, DUI Lawyer Richard Lawson began his career as a DUI Prosecutor in Dahlonega. Since that time, he has devoted his life to helping ordinary people get the justice they deserve. He has developed a reputation as Georgia's most reviewed DUI Lawyer on AVVO.
30-Day Warning
If you have been arrested for DUI you only have thirty days for your Dahlonega DUI Lawyer to file an appeal of your automatic license suspension. Without that appeal, your license will be suspended up to 12 months. In some instances, that suspension can be without any permit or restricted license. This does not have to happen; your Dahlonega DUI Attorney will make sure you are treated fairly.
Building Your BEST DUI Defense
After your 30-day letter is sent, you need to gather the evidence and look for any potential defenses. Defenses are not obvious; in fact, many of our clients are completely unaware of the legal defenses available in their case. Legal defenses are not usually related to actual guilt or innocence but are related to the procedures that occurred during the arrest.
Such defenses can include challenging the reason for the stop or the legitimacy of the State Patrol roadblock. They can also include challenging the probable cause for the arrest and the arrest procedures in general. Finally, we can challenge the actual chemical test of your blood, breath, or urine or your alleged refusal to submit to testing. The point is that no person is automatically guilty of DUI just because they were arrested. As a Dahlonega DUI Lawyer, I make sure this office leaves no stone unturned when searching for defenses to your DUI.
Dahlonega DUI Process
After a person bonds out of jail, they will be given an arraignment date. In Dahlonega, the municipal court is a part-time court. As a result, the judge and prosecutor are both part-time employees. Court is held twice a month at 6:00 p.m. Doug Parks is the prosecutor, and Hammond Law is the judge. Amanda Hazlett is the Clerk of Court and is available on a full-time basis. If you are charged with a minor non-DUI traffic offense you can pay your ticket in advance. All DUI cases, Minor in Possession of Alcohol, and Possession of Marijuana cases require a court appearance. The Court is located at 465 Ridley Road Dahlonega, GA 30533.
Plea Bargaining
In municipal court, Dahlonega DUI Lawyers have two options. The first option is to engage in plea-bargaining. Seeking the best possible deal does not mean giving up on the case. In fact, nothing could be further from the truth. The best plea bargains are the result of actually fighting a person's case. By researching a case and looking for the best defenses, skilled attorneys use those defenses to leverage a better outcome. Anyone can ask the prosecutor for a plea offer, but the best DUI Lawyers explain to a prosecutor why a better offer should be made. The prosecutor will never make a good offer until he/she believes that you are willing to fight your case.
DUI Trials in Dahlonega
The second option is to take a case to trial. Trials can occur in municipal court and are called bench trials—a trial by the judge only. In a bench trial, the judge sits as judge and jury and will decide your guilt or innocence.
If you would prefer a jury trial, the case must then be sent to Lumpkin County Superior Court. Jury trials are exclusively held in superior court. The Judges of the Lumpkin County Superior Court are Chief Judge Murphy Miller, Judge Raymond George, and Judge Stan Gunter.
University of North Georgia DUI Cases
The University Police Department is a fully certified police agency with jurisdiction on campus and up to 500 yards from campus in all directions. For a small town like Dahlonega, those boundaries include a great deal of the city. The campus police focus on the quality of life crimes in and around campus. In our experience, common arrests include DUI, MIP, Possession of Marijuana, and small property crimes. Dahlonega Municipal Court is the original jurisdiction for many crimes committed on campus. Of course, any felony offense is sent directly to Superior Court and prosecuted by the District Attorney.
All North Georgia University Police officers are P.O.S.T. certified police officers with at least two years experience. Required training includes Radar, Field Sobriety Testing, Firearms, and Defensive Tactics. The Chief of Police is Michael Stapleton, and his office can be reached at 706-864-1500.
DUI Penalties in Dahlonega
DUI Penalties in Dahlonega are similar to other jurisdictions throughout the State. There are certain minimum and maximum penalties for any DUI in Georgia. However, there is a vast difference between the minimum consequence and the maximum possible consequences. That is why it is important to get the best possible legal counsel available.
To review the possible penalties and likely outcomes, visit our DUI penalties page on this website. Keep in mind that your case will not defend itself and never assume you will receive the minimum sentence available. Never assume you will keep your license without the help of an attorney.
There is Hope if Arrested for DUI in Dahlonega
If you have been arrested, you are not automatically guilty. In fact, many DUI cases are defendable and there are always potential alternatives to a DUI conviction. Remember, you only have thirty days to protect your driving privilege. Act now, and contact us 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Our Dahlonega DUI Attorneys look forward to helping you with your case.
Our Attorneys
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Richard Lawson
Managing Partner at Lawson & Berry:
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Kimberly A. Berry
Partner at Lawson & Berry:
Dahlonega DUI Resources
University of North Georgia Public Safety
Lumpkin County Clerk of Superior Court
North Georgia University Substance Abuse Information
