Dawson County GA DUI Lawyer - Dawson County GA DUI Attorney
Dawsonville DUI Lawyer - Dawsonville DUI Attorney
The Law Office of Richard Lawson is a Georgia law firm that specializes in DUI Defense. Our founder, Richard Lawson, is a former prosecutor with over 25 years' experience. He is the top-rated DUI Defense attorney in the state.
Richard Lawson believes the government should limit their intrusion into the lives of citizens. He and his team of Dawson County GA DUI Lawyers are committed to the vigilant defense of everyone's constitutional rights; particularly those of the clients they represent.  Please see his reviews on Avvo for yourself and contact us for a free consultation.
30-Day Warning
If you were arrested for DUI in Dawson County, you have only thirty days to keep your driver's license from being suspended. You or your Dawson County DUI Georgia Lawyer must request an Administrative License Suspension (ALS) Hearing or an ignition interlock device. The fee the State charges to file the request is $150. If you refused the testing of your breath, blood, or urine, your license would be suspended for twelve months with no chance for a permit to drive. Hiring an experienced Dawson County GA DUI Attorney as soon as possible makes your life much easier and your case more manageable. Call us today for a free consultation.
Dawson County DUI Defense
Prosecutors and Georgia laws have made life significantly more difficult for persons accused of driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs. The accused are more disadvantaged than ever before, with stricter DUI laws, massive fines, and the looming threat of incarceration. Government-employed prosecutors and an unforgiving judicial system put your future, freedom and finances at risk. Hiring a Dawson County Georgia DUI Lawyer can offer protection so that you can continue to function as a productive member of society and keep you from a criminal record by vigorous advocacy. The Dawson County GA DUI Attorneys with The Law Office of Richard Lawson work hard to level the playing field and hold our government as accountable as they want you to be. Our DUI Attorneys in Dawson County Georgia only handle DUI cases and achieve stellar outcomes. We negotiate with or fight against prosecutors every day, and will do the same for you.
Experience is the Difference
The state of Georgia has created strict DUI laws. If you have been arrested and charged with DUI in Dawson County, the accusation alone can wreak havoc and turn your life upside down. Choosing an experienced, competent Dawson County GA DUI Lawyer can make a dramatic difference in both short and long-term consequences of being charged with or convicted of driving under the influence.
Possible Penalties for First-Time DUI Offenses
- Jail time of 1-10 days
- One year of probation
- Suspension of driver's license
- 40 hours of community service
- Mandatory drug and alcohol counseling
- DUI School
With these harsh consequences, you need an aggressive DUI Attorney in Dawson County GA on your side. The Law Office of Richard Lawson specializes in DUI Defense, providing you with over 25 years' experience and an impeccable track record. Our DUI Lawyers in Dawson County will dedicate themselves to defending your constitutional rights and limiting the government's control over your life. In each and every DUI case, we are focused on achieving the best possible outcome for you, which at a bare minimum, means no DUI conviction.
Do I Really Need a Lawyer Who Specializes in DUI Defense?
You've heard the expression, "Jack of all trades, master of none," right? Also, would you want a dermatologist performing your much-needed open heart surgery? Of course not. DUI Defense is a specialized practice area of Georgia criminal defense that involves complex legal issues, science related to field and breath tests, understanding breath testing equipment, and the effect alcohol has on the human body.
Like doctors of medicine, lawyers have the same, basic post-graduate education. After being exposed to numerous areas of medicine, the brand-new doctor selects an area in which to specialize. They must then complete their residency program to become "board certified" in that discipline. Some choose dermatology while others choose cardiology. You know which to choose when you have developed a rash, or when you need open heart surgery.
However, lawyers are unique.
After law school, the new lawyer must pass the state bar exam. They are then free to take on any case, ranging from divorce, bankruptcy, and DUI.
While you may have a family lawyer you know and trust, do not assume they can get you the best outcome possible for your case just because they went to law school and are licensed to practice law in Georgia. When it is all said and done, it is your choice when hiring an attorney to represent your Dawson County GA DUI case. At The Law Office of Richard Lawson, our Dawson County DUI Attorneys have many years of experience representing individuals in DUI cases while keeping up with cutting-edge defense techniques and scientific research. As our client, you will be able to take advantage of our trial experience, challenging police policy and procedure during DUI stops, and analyzing field sobriety tests to prove your innocence.
What Will Happen to Me if I Refuse the State's Breath or Blood Test?
Under Georgia law, anyone who operates a motor vehicle upon state roadways that are open to the public is considered to have given consent to breath or blood testing to determine if they are under the influence of alcohol or drugs. That is known as Georgia's "Implied Consent" Law.
The testing of breath or blood must be done at the direction of a law enforcement officer when:
- A driver has been arrested for DUI because an officer has reasonable grounds to believe the driver has been driving while under the influence of alcohol or drugs, or a combination of both;
- A person under 21 years of age has been arrested for having a blood alcohol concentration of .02 or more; or
- The officer has probable cause to believe a driver was driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs and has been involved in a motor vehicle accident, resulting in property damage, serious injury, or death.Â
If you refused the State's test of your breath, blood, or urine, your driver's license would be suspended for one year. That is how people get strongarmed into taking the breath test. If you refuse, that means the State has less evidence against you. If you hire a DUI Attorney in Dawson County to investigate your case, you could have defenses to the Georgia Implied Consent Law. If the officer who arrested you advised you or answered questions that did not align with the Georgia Implied Consent Warning, your refusal of the breath or blood test against you.
What Can I Expect From Your Law Firm?
As a client of The Law Offices of Richard Lawson, you can expect one of our skilled Dawson County Georgia DUI Lawyers to represent you in all phases or your case and advocate on your behalf. As a US citizen, resident or visitor of the State of Georgia, you have constitutional rights under the US Constitution, as well as the Georgia Constitution. The Fourth Amendment to the US Constitution gives you a right to privacy and to be free from unreasonable search and seizure. Article I, Section 1, Paragraph XII of the Georgia Constitution gives you additional protection from unreasonable searches, seizures, and warrants. Our Dawson County DUI Attorneys will carefully scrutinize your case for violations of your constitutional rights to be sure you were treated fairly during your initial traffic stop. Georgia DUI cases are often resolved favorably by proving that law enforcement violated someone's constitutional rights.
Our Dawson County DUI Lawyers will thoroughly review any evidence against you to craft a defense that is unique to your circumstances, and fight for you every step of the way.
UNDERSTANDING THE DAWSON COUNTY COURT SYSTEM
Dawson County Probate Court
If you were arrested for misdemeanor DUI in Dawsonville or an unincorporated area of Dawson County such as Juno, Afton, or Big Canoe, your case would be heard in Dawson County Probate Court. The Honorable Jennifer Burt is the Judge, and can be reached at (706) 344-3580. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8 AM – 5 PM. Dawson County Probate Court is held at the Dawson County Courthouse at 25 Justice Way, Suite 4332, Dawsonville, Georgia 30534.
If you would like a jury trial, your case would be bound over to Dawson County Superior Court.
Dawson County Superior Court
Superior Court has jurisdiction over all felony cases. Justin Power is the Clerk of Court, and can be reached at (706) 344-3510. His office hours are Monday through Friday, 8 AM – 5 PM.
Dawson County Superior Court is part of the Northeastern Judicial Circuit, along with Hall County. There are four judges who hear felony cases:
Honorable C. Andrew Fuller
Honorable Kathlene F. Gosselin
Honorable Bonnie C. Oliver
Honorable Jason Deal
The Chief Prosecuting Officer for Dawson County Superior Court is the District Attorney's Office. The District Attorney for Dawson County is Lee Darragh. His contact information is as follows:
Lee Darragh, District Attorney
Dawson County Superior Court
Dawson County Courthouse
25 Justice Way, Suite 3321
Dawsonville, GA 30534
(706) 344-3620
Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8 AM – 5 PM.
Protect Your Future
When so much is at stake, you need an effective Dawson County DUI Lawyer to handle your case. Having the right attorney for your case is the best way to control the damage a DUI charge can do. Call the Law Office of Richard Lawson today to speak with an experienced, compassionate Dawson County DUI Attorney.
Our Attorneys
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Richard Lawson
Managing Partner at Lawson & Berry:
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Kimberly A. Berry
Partner at Lawson & Berry:
Dawson County DUI Resources
Dawson County GA Sheriff's Department
Dawson County GA Probate Court
Dawson County GA Superior Court Clerk
Administrative Office of the Courts
