Heard County DUI Lawyer

Heard County DUI Lawyer – Heard County DUI Attorney

Franklin GA DUI Lawyer – Franklin GA DUI Attorney

Experience Matters

The Law Office of Richard Lawson is a legal firm that exclusively specializes in DUI Defense. Attorney Richard Lawson is a former Georgia DUI prosecutor with over twenty five years' experience in DUI law. Take a look at our Avvo reviews and see why we are the top-rated DUI Defense firm in the state of Georgia; then contact us for a free no-obligation case evaluation.

30-Day Warning!

If you have been arrested for DUI in Heard County, Georgia, you should know that you only have thirty days to protect your driver's license from suspension. You (or your Heard County DUI Attorney) will need to file a request for an Administrative License Suspension (ALS) Hearing or an ignition interlock device. The fee to file the request is $150. If the request is not made or is not made within the thirty-day timeframe, your license will be suspended. If you have been accused of refusing the State's chemical test of your breath, blood, or urine, your license will be suspended for one year, with no opportunity for a permit. Contact the Law Office of Richard Lawson today to speak with a DUI Lawyer in Franklin GA!

Our Experience

How many DUI Attorneys in Heard County can say they have been on the other side of the courtroom? Richard Lawson began his legal career over twenty five years ago as a DUI prosecutor. During his prosecutorial career, he tried DUI cases to a jury, prosecuted reckless drivers, and other charges. As a prosecutor, he learned how police think, what the court is looking for, and arguments that can ruin a prosecutor's case.

If you want a Heard County DUI Lawyer who does not comprehend the risk that DUI poses to public safety or does not consider your charges serious; the Law Office of Richard Lawson is not the firm to represent you. However, if you want a Heard County DUI Attorney who takes your case seriously, and will protect your rights by making the State prove their case beyond a reasonable doubt, we are the firm to represent you.

Our Approach

The Basic Steps of a DUI Investigation:

  • Law enforcement observes a motorist's driving pre-traffic stop and must decide if there is articulable suspicion or a lawful basis for a traffic stop;
  • Observations are made by the officer during the traffic stop. The decision is made whether or not to ask the driver to step out of their vehicle and perform field sobriety tests;
  • If the driver correctly performs field sobriety tests satisfactorily, the officer must decide if there is a lawful reason to continue to detain the driver;
  • During the arrest process, law enforcement must follow all rules, procedures and laws;
  • If the DUI suspect takes a chemical test at the jail, police station, etc., the officer must follow additional rules and regulations regarding evidence;
  • Once each of these steps is completed, the arrest process continues, and the driver/DUI suspect is booked and fingerprinted and now “under arrest.”

Maybe you have seen the “walk-and-turn” test on television, or maybe you have seen someone perform it roadside during a traffic stop. The test is done by the officer asking the driver to walk out nine to ten steps heel-to-toe, turn around, and walk back. All the while, writing down each error the driver makes in this ridiculous test. 

The job of a Heard County DUI Attorney is a bit like that of the police. As skilled Heard County DUI Lawyers, it is our job to make sure the police properly follow each and every step of a Heard County DUI investigation as mentioned above. There are set rules, and our Heard County DUI Attorneys know them; it is our job to make sure they follow them. If they do not follow them, your Heard County DUI Lawyer can gain leverage when negotiating a favorable outcome, or have valid arguments that can be used should your case go to trial.

Charged with DUI in Heard County?

For most people, being arrested and charged with DUI is nothing we would ever expect to happen. The initial shock of being accused of a crime leads to the anxiety of appearing in court and other legal consequences. Possible probation, jail, and enormous fines can cause even more stress.

Even though DUI is typically a misdemeanor, it carries stiff penalties with harsh punishments. 

Aggressive Heard County DUI Attorneys

Any criminal conviction can have consequences that last a lifetime. Justice 1only gives you one chance to lessen the impact that criminal charges can have on you and your life. You need a skilled, aggressive Franklin Georgia DUI Lawyer by your side to defend your rights. At the Law Office of Richard Lawson, we will take swift and forceful action to protect you and provide effective defense.

DUI cases are not easy to defend, and for that reason, it is imperative that you choose a Franklin GA DUI Attorney who has the experience and refined skill necessary to fight your DUI charge. Our Franklin GA DUI Lawyers will thoroughly review the details of your arrest and listen intently to your account of it as well to determine the best course of action.

Since Attorney Lawson is a former prosecutor, he can use that experience to craft a strong defense for his clients. Your case will be analyzed from the perspective of a prosecutor and will give you a solid assessment of possible outcomes for your case.

HEARD COUNTY GA COURT SYSTEM

Heard County Probate Court

When a person is arrested for DUI in Heard County, they often choose a DUI Lawyer in Heard County, because they are likely familiar with the court system. If a misdemeanor DUI arrest occurs in an unincorporated area of Heard County, their case would have its arraignment in Heard County Probate Court. Probate Court is held at 215 East Court Square, Room 3, Franklin, GA 30217. Office hours are Monday – Friday 8:30 AM – 5 PM. The office is closed daily for lunch from 12 PM – 1 PM. The Honorable Joseph Bledsoe is the Probate Judge, and Bonnie Reed and Chandra Holliday are the Clerks of Court. Call (706) 675-3353 for more information.

Map to Heard County Probate Court

Heard County Municipal Courts

If a misdemeanor DUI arrest occurred within the limits of an incorporated city, the arraignment for that case would take place in that city's municipal court; and as for Heard County, that means either Ephesus Municipal Court or Franklin Georgia Municipal Court.

Ephesus Municipal Court

Ephesus Municipal Court is held at 24500 GA Highway 110, Roopville, GA 30217. The Honorable Emmett K. Harrod is the judge, and Linda Yearwood is the Clerk of Court. Call (770) 854-8616 for more information. If you have been arrested in the City of Ephesus and need legal advice, do not hesitate to contact an Ephesus DUI Lawyer. The Law Offices of Richard Lawson has a DUI Lawyer in Ephesus waiting to speak with you about your case, so call now!

Map to Ephesus Municipal Court

Franklin GA Municipal Court

Franklin Municipal Court is held at 118 Davis Street, Franklin, GA 30217. The Honorable Emmett K. Harrod is the municipal court judge, and Nikki Chapman is Clerk of Court. For questions about your ticket or general court inquiries, call (706) 675-6623. All cases that originate within the City of Franklin GA would have their arraignment in Franklin GA Municipal Court. When you need a DUI Lawyer in Franklin GA, contact the Law Offices of Richard Lawson today. We have a Franklin GA DUI Lawyer waiting to speak to you about your case right now!

Map to Franklin GA Municipal Court

Heard County Superior Court

Heard County Superior Court is held at 215 E Court Square, Franklin, GA 30217. The Honorable Bryan Owensby is the Clerk of Superior Court and can be reached by calling (706) 675-3301. Office hours are Monday – Friday 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM, with the office closing daily for lunch from 12 PM – 1 PM.

Heard County is part of the Coweta Judicial Circuit. Heard County Superior Court judges are:

Bill Hamrick
Coweta County
P.O. Box 338
Carrollton, GA  30112
Phone: (678) 390-6236
Fax:  (678) 390-6237

Dennis Blackmon
Carroll County
P. O. Box  338
Carrollton, GA  30112
Phone:  (770) 830-5871
Fax:  (770) 830—5996

Emory Palmer
Coweta County
72 Greenville St., Suite 3047
Newnan, GA  30240
Phone:  (770) 683-0491
Fax:  (770) 683-0492

Jack Kirby
Troup County Government Center
100 Ridley Avenue
LaGrange, GA  30240
Phone:  (706) 298-3626
Fax:  (888) 383-5803

John T. Simpson
Carroll County
P. O. Box  338
Carrollton, GA  30112
Phone: (770) 830-5855
Fax:  (770) 830-5857

 Map to Heard County Superior Court

District Attorney Peter J. Skandalakis handles the prosecution of felony cases in Heard County Superior Court. He is the final decision-maker of who is or is not charged with a crime in Heard County and what plea agreement (if any) will be accepted (or offered). His contact information is:

Peter J. Skandalakis, District Attorney

Heard County Superior Court

Heard County Courthouse

P O Box 730

Franklin, GA 30217

(706) 675-0955

Valuable Legal Guidance

For the best outcome for your Heard County DUI case, contact a seasoned Heard County DUI Attorney with the Law Office of Richard Lawson. If you need a Franklin GA DUI Lawyer to fight for your rights, look no further. If you are facing a DUI charge, there is no time to lose. Your first action step is to secure effective legal defense as soon as possible. Call us today. Your best defense begins with us!

Our Attorneys

Recent Case Results

  • This case was in Helen Municipal Court.  The client was charged with a DUI and four counts of DUI Child Endangerment.  In Georgia, for every child under the age of 14 in a vehicle it is considered a separate DUI offense.  The client would have been declared an habitual violator from one arrest an... Read On

  • Client was charged with a suspended license because he did not reinstate his privilege to drive after the expiration of his restricted license.  Per my advice, the client properly reinstated his license the day after he was charged.  Case Dismissed in Cobb County State Court.  Read On

  • Client was a resident of New York who was arrested while he was visiting Georgia for pleasure. He was charged with DUI, Reckless Driving, and Speeding 37 MPH over the speed limit. We were able to get the client an unbelievable outcome in Hampton, Georgia. His DUI dismissed, his speeding ticket wa... Read On

Recommendations

  • DUI WITH HIGH BAC (.112) LOWERED TO RECKLESS DRIVING!

    Richard was not the first lawyer I spoke with after my DUI charge, but he was the last when searching for representation. This was my very first time encountering any sort of legal dispute so I had no idea what I was doing and I was very scared. Richard was very friendly, down to earth and consol... Read On

  • Miracle Worker!

    Not only did Richard Lawson and his very capable associate get my DUI reduced to reckless driving with parole, but he did something that I didn't think was possible. I was stopped for a moving violation recently. The police arrested me because they showed my driver's license had been suspended. H... Read On

  • Ideal attorney for anyone

    Mr. Lawson is outstanding. He was professional, attentive to any requests, and got the outcome I wanted but thought was unachievable. I had been arrested for a DUI. The case was very difficult, intricate, and was seemingly without hope, but Mr. Lawson was able to get the charges drastically reduc... Read On

Heard County DUI Resources

Heard County Sheriff's Department

Franklin GA Police Department

Georgia State Patrol

Heard County Clerk of Superior Court

Administrative Office of the Courts

Franklin-Heard County Public Library

Wikipedia of Heard County Georgia

Have You Been Arrested for DUI in Heard County?

Choosing the Best DUI Lawyer

When you are arrested for DUI in Georgia, finding the right Lawyer is Job #1. At the Law Offices of Richard S. Lawson we will investigate your case and find the best possible legal defense to your DUI in Georgia. You are in good hands with Richard Lawson and his associates. We will work tirelessly to help you while compassionately holding your hand throughout the entire DUI Defense Process.

Georgia DUI Defense Attorneys

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!

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