Hiring a Georgia DUI Specialist Vs General Practitioner

When someone calls our office, he or she is speaking to Georgia DUI Specialists.  We only handle DUI cases and the cases associated with DUI (most minor traffic offenses, accidents, and any drugs found in a vehicle).  

Most criminal defense attorneys handle all types of criminal offenses, including DUI cases.  No one can be an expert in everything.  

In the classic movie Laura, one of my favorite lines is when 

Detective McPherson (Dana Andrews) asks Shelby Carpenter (Vincent Price) if he knew anything about music.  Shelby's response was "I don't know a lot about anything, but I know a little about practically everything.”

This is what happens to an attorney who thinks he or she can represent people in multiple practice areas.  It is impossible to provide people with expert representation without becoming an expert in the law associated with a person's case.

Georgia DUI Law is complicated and ever-changing.  The legislature meets every year and changes the procedures, available defenses, and punishments related to Driving under the influence.

I watch general practitioners in court every day.  Some provide good representation.  However, I also see malpractice.  

The following is a list of malpractice I routinely witness in court:

• Pleading people guilty with viable defenses
• Not understanding the collateral consequences of a person's case, such as immigration consequences and driver's license consequences. 
• Not watching client videos or reading incident reports.
• Not filing correct motions to suppress
• Not being prepared for trial
• Wasting a person's Nolo Contendere on a case that does not warrant it or need it
• Not understanding alternative punishments such as home confinement and house arrest.
• Not knowing when to use diversion or a conditional discharge
• Arguing with clients in the hallway, instead of preparing a client for court so there are no surprises on the court date.  
• Showing up late
• Negotiating with the prosecutor on the day of court instead of working the case out before the court date.
• Showing disrespect to the judge and court personnel.

The above list is only a partial list of what I see on a weekly basis.  We strive to avoid these mistakes to provide our clients a superior Georgia DUI Defense.