Lithonia DUI Lawyer - Lithonia DUI Attorney
If you have been arrested and charged with DUI in Lithonia, Georgia area, you need an experienced Lithonia DUI Attorney who knows the court system well and help resolve your case. As a former Georgia DUI prosecutor, Richard Lawson puts his over 25 years' experience to work for you when you need it most. The Law Office of Richard Lawson is the top-rated DUI defense firm in Georgia. Please see our reviews on Avvo and contact us for your best defense.
Thirty-Day Warning!
If you have been arrested for DUI in Lithonia GA, you only have thirty days to protect your driving privilege. Your Lithonia DUI Lawyer will need to file a letter to request an Administrative License Suspension (ALS) Hearing or request an ignition interlock device. Without this hearing or the interlock device, your Lithonia DUI Attorney will not be able to prevent your license from being suspended. There is a $150 filing fee that must accompany your hearing request. In the case of a refusal to submit to the State's chemical test of your breath, blood, or urine, your license will be suspended with no opportunity for a permit.
The Thirty-Day Letter is serious and not to be taken lightly. If you want to keep your privilege to drive in Georgia, you must request the ALS Hearing or the interlock device. Do not attempt to file the hearing request yourself. Have your DUI Lawyer in Lithonia file the request on your behalf to make sure it is done correctly. That is the only way to avoid a one-year license suspension.
What Types of Cases Are Handled by Your Lithonia DUI Attorney?
Georgia municipal courts have jurisdiction over such cases as traffic offenses, shoplifting, possession of marijuana, DUI, and city ordinance violations. The State Court of DeKalb County ha concurrent jurisdiction over all of the aforementioned criminal offenses, with the exception of city ordinance violations. That means if you and your Lithonia DUI Lawyer do not like the potential outcome of your case in Lithonia Municipal Court, your case can be sent to State Court of DeKalb County. The decision to send (or “bind”) a case over to DeKalb County State Court should be made only after consulting with your Lithonia DUI Attorney, and considering possible outcomes. Many times the State can be stricter than a municipal court, and you may not be able to get the best result possible.
For the most part, Lithonia Municipal Court handles misdemeanor cases and city ordinance violations that arise out of arrests that occur within the city limits of Lithonia. Lithonia Municipal Court also handles probable cause hearings for those arrested for felonies within the City of Lithonia. Upon finding probable cause in a felony case, that case is then transferred to Superior Court of DeKalb County.
Lithonia DUI Defense
Choosing a skilled DUI Attorney in Lithonia to represent you or your family member has many benefits. There are some offenses that can be brought to Lithonia Municipal Court and some of them can involve your spouse or children.
Youthful offenders commit a vast majority of the crimes that occur within a municipality. That is often why an attorney becomes your family attorney, almost by default. The offenses that our children commit can result in a permanent criminal record unless your Lithonia DUI Lawyer can successfully assist your family by finding evidence that will keep the criminal offense off their permanent record. The good news is there are many alternative sentences and outcomes in cases such as:
- Traffic offenses
- Minor in Possession of Alcohol (MIP)
- Possession of Marijuana
- Underage DUI
- DUI Under 21 years
Your child is considered an adult in criminal cases whenever they reach the age of 17. Any crime you child commits after that is permanent and remains on their record forever unless you have a lawyer to fight their case. To be 100% clear, at age 17, in the state of Georgia, your child is an adult if arrested. They are no longer considered a juvenile, and their case will be handled in an adult court of law. Getting the best Lithonia Attorney can make a difference in the opportunities that your child will have for the rest of their lives.
Obviously, DUI law is not limited to offenses committed by young people. Adults are arrested and charged with DUI and various other crimes every day that end up in Lithonia Municipal Court. A DUI can cause lifetime consequences, and the penalties can be harsh if you do not have the right Lithonia DUI Attorney for your case. Hiring a DUI attorney who knows Georgia's court system, as well as the DeKalb County court system is crucial. The best DUI Attorneys in Lithonia from the Law Office of Richard Lawson will be on your side from day one and will fight for you and your rights until your case is resolved.
Whether it is a traffic offense, a Lithonia DUI, or something more serious, your Lithonia Lawyer's experience is what matters most in getting the best outcome. Our Lithonia DUI Lawyers will search for the best possible defenses for your case and will present them in Lithonia Municipal Court. There is no time to lose because waiting around for your charges to just magically disappear can cause you to waive certain legal defenses and save other opportunities that are available to you.
Information for Lithonia Municipal Court
Lithonia Municipal Court is located at 2614-B Max Cleland Boulevard, Lithonia, GA 30058. The Chief Judge is John A. Roberts, and the Chief Clerk is Faye E. Brantley. Court is held the second and third Friday of each month. Call (770) 482-8947 for more information.
Map to Lithonia Municipal Court
There is Help
When you are arrested for DUI in Lithonia GA or have been cited for any other offense, it is a traumatic experience. If it is not your first offense, you are likely still in shock over the whole thing. Many people wait too long to get the advice and help they need to win their case. Remember, in Georgia, you only have thirty days to file the ALS appeal to save your driver's license from suspension. Time is of the essence, and our Lithonia DUI Lawyers are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week for your convenience. That includes nights, weekends, and holidays. Your problems should not have to wait until Monday morning to get attention. Contact the Law Office of Richard Lawson today to begin your best Lithonia DUI Defense. It all starts with one simple call. Our consultation is free, so what do you have to lose?
Lithonia DUI Resources
DeKalb County Sheriff's Office
Administrative Office of the Courts
Lithonia-Davidson Public Library