How DUI Cases Proceed in Hall County Georgia

Hall County Courthouse

Hall County DUI Process:

Gainesville Ga. - In Hall County, Georgia, police officers from the city police departments of Gainesville, Flowery Branch, and Oakwood are extremely active. They frequently make arrests for driving under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs, as well as other serious traffic offenses.  State troopers and Hall County Sheriff's Deputies also make such arrests.  The end result is that Hall County Georgia has strict traffic law enforcement, including DUI arrests.  If accused, contact a Hall County DUI Lawyer from our office.

If you are stopped and ultimately arrested by a Hall County officer or Georgia State Trooper, your case will be docketed in the Hall County State Court.  All cases that occur in unincorporated Hall County begin at this court.   Additionally, any case that originates in a Municipal Court can be sent to Hall County State Court for a jury trial, as there are no jury trials in our city courts.

The judges in Hall County State Court are fair and efficient. Judge Roberts, Judge Baldwin, and Judge Breakfield manage large case dockets, but all seem to do their best to treat prosecutors, defense counsel, and those accused in a courteous manner.  Similarly, the prosecutor's office for State Court, lead by Solicitor-General Stephanie Woodard and Chief Assistant Amber Sowers, also can be reasonable to work with despite being tough on crime in a conservative jurisdiction.   Our Hall County DUI Lawyers have experience working with all of the above-mentioned court staff regularly. 

In cases that begin within a municipality (by a city police officer), the case will have its initial arraignment in city court (Municipal Court).  This arraignment will often occur even faster than in cases that begin in State Court. 

DUI Cases that begin within the City Limits of Gainesville, Oakwood, or Flowery Branch:

The City of Gainesville operates a large traffic court that has a couple of sessions a week.  Judge Hammond Law presides over this court.  He is a fair, respectful, and efficient judge.  Ann Bishop and Inez Grant serve as prosecutors in the City of Gainesville Municipal Court.  Defense attorneys and defendants first get to try to work out their case at the municipal level.  This usually happens within a few weeks of the arrest.  If a plea bargain can be reached, the case can be closed rather quickly.  If your Hall County DUI Attorney cannot work out the case to your satisfaction, the case can be bound-over to Hall County State Court for a jury trial.  

Similarly, Flowery Branch and Oakwood officers both have active police forces that strictly enforce Georgia DUI Laws.  Any case that begins with an Oakwood or Flowery Branch officer will have its initial arraignment in either Oakwood Municipal Court or Flowery Branch Municipal Court.

Both of these courts meet at least once a month, but they are much smaller than the City of Gainesville traffic court.  The Flowery Branch court is presided over by Judge Michelle Hall, and Ann Bishop is the prosecutor in this court.  Hammond Law presides as Judge in the city of Oakwood court as well.  Billy Hollingsworth is the Oakwood prosecuting attorney.  Like in Gainesville traffic court, you have an opportunity shortly after the date of your arrest or citation to work out the case in city court.  These court dates are often in the evening.  Sometimes a plea agreement can be reached, but other times it cannot be, and the case is “bound over” to Hall County State Court for further litigation and negotiation.

You Have to Act Now!

There is a second aspect to a DUI prosecution in Hall County, and that is regarding an administrative license suspension.  Your Hall County DUI Attorney only has 30 days to file an appeal of your license suspension.  This appeal is separate from your other court dates and only occurs if requested.  Failure to request this hearing will result in your license being suspended.  This is why it is important to contact an experienced Hall County DUI defense attorney promptly after you are charged to make sure your rights are protected.  We have years of experience fighting and winning DUI cases in Hall County and its city courts.  We are available 7 days a week for a free consultation.