Nelson GA DUI Lawyer – Nelson GA DUI Attorney
Richard Lawson is a former DUI Prosecutor and has over 25 years' experience with Georgia DUI law. The Law Office of Richard Lawson is Georgia's top-rated DUI defense firm as rated by Avvo. Please see our reviews and contact our office for a free, no-obligation consultation.
30-Day Warning!
If you were arrested and charged with DUI in Nelson GA or elsewhere in Cherokee County, you should be warned that your driver's license is in jeopardy. To save your license from suspension, you or your Nelson GA DUI Lawyer must file for an Administrative License Suspension (ALS) hearing or request an ignition interlock device within thirty days of your Nelson Georgia DUI arrest. If an ALS hearing is not requested within the thirty-day timeframe, your Georgia driver's license will automatically be suspended.
If you were accused of refusing the State's chemical test of your breath, blood, or urine, your Georgia driver's license will be suspended for one full year, with no opportunity for an early reinstatement or restricted permit.
I Was Arrested for DUI. Now What?
As you spot law enforcement's blue lights in your rearview mirror, you probably know it's going to be more than a citation or ticket. If you decide to drink and drive, you could get a DUI; especially if you are asked to perform field sobriety tests. If you are alone, your car could be impounded, and you will have to find someone to pick you up after you are released from jail AND come up with the money to pay the impound fees.
If you did not perform well on field sobriety tests, you will likely be taken to jail, at least for awhile to sober up. The first person you should contact when you are released from jail is a good Nelson GA DUI Attorney. Do not forget your court date, because if you do not show up for it, a warrant for your arrest will be issued. When you do go to court, a few things could happen; if it is your first brush with the law, you may experience some leniency. However, as your encounters with police increase, leniency decreases. You could lose your driving privileges or be sentenced to time in jail if you are convicted of driving under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or both.
The smartest thing for you to do is contact a Nelson GA DUI Lawyer so they can advise you on what to do if you were given multiple tickets. Your Nelson Georgia DUI Lawyer can speak with the prosecutor and see if a plea bargain is possible. Your sentence could be reduced, so you are not incarcerated.
Is DUI Charge a Criminal Offense?
All over the US, driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs (DUI) is a criminal offense. That means you can be arrested and have to address charges in a court of law. Those charges can be misdemeanors or felonies, depending on many factors. In Georgia (and in all states), a first-time DUI charge is a misdemeanor, while felony charges can arise from second offenses and so on. Also taken into consideration is your blood alcohol content (BAC) at the time you were arrested, if you caused an accident, or if any property damage or injury resulted from the crash.
Misdemeanors are lesser charges that can bring a jail term of one year, a driver's license suspension, community service, and fines. However, a felony charge is much more severe. You could face a year or more in prison in addition to fees, fines, and a license suspension. Remember, felonies are forever part of your public record, meaning they will show up on a background check done by a potential employer or landlord.
Is a DUI Lawyer Expensive?
There are many lawyers to represent clients in DUI cases. For anyone needing legal assistance, this is good news; however, not all attorneys are the same. As the saying goes, “You get what you pay for.”
When deciding whether to hire a Nelson Georgia DUI Lawyer, you must understand that the expense associated with a DUI conviction may be more than the cost of an attorney. Some of the associated costs are fines and court costs, change in employment, the cost of DUI School, driver's license reinstatement costs, increased insurance rates, the cost of ignition interlock device, and more.
A good Nelson Georgia DUI Attorney shouldn't guarantee or promise any particular outcome, but he or she possibly can help those arrested and charged with DUI avoid the worst outcome by advocating for a reduced charge or sentencing. It is better to receive a lower fine, less time in jail, or another sentence that would cost clients to lose more time from work, their employment, and their freedom.
Anyone needing a Nelson GA DUI Attorney should not expect competent legal representation to come cheap. The cost, however, is affected by many factors such as location, type of charges, and the difficulty of the case. Like a lot of services, legal fees reflect the cost of living in that area.
If you are in trouble and need a DUI Lawyer in Nelson GA, and are concerned with cost, the Law Office of Richard Lawson and his team of Nelson GA DUI Lawyers offer a free consultation to discuss the facts and particulars of your case and what options are available to you. An experienced DUI Lawyer in Nelson Georgia will provide you valuable legal advice and protect your rights in court. Because a DUI charge is serious costly, it is advised to hire competent legal counsel as soon as possible following your arrest.
Nelson GA Municipal Court
Nelson Municipal Court is responsible for handling city ordinance and traffic violations that occur within Nelson city limits. The city of Nelson GA is interesting because part of the city lies in Cherokee County and the other part lies in Pickens County. However, no matter which county you are arrested in, your case will proceed to Nelson Municipal Court. Municipal Court is held the second Monday of every month at Nelson City Hall with the Honorable Richard Jones presiding. Jeff Rusbridge is the Solicitor. The address is 1985 Kennesaw Avenue, Nelson, GA 30151. Contact Nelson Municipal Court Services at (770) 735-2211 for more information.
Map to Nelson GA Municipal Court
Contact the Best in DUI Defense
A DUI charge is a serious thing. You should seek the advice of a Nelson GA DUI Lawyer who specializes only in DUI defense. The sooner a skilled Nelson GA DUI Attorney can begin working on your case, the easier it is for a favorable outcome. Our Nelson Georgia DUI Lawyers know that mistakes happen; we are only human, after all. When you need a good DUI Attorney in Nelson GA, turn to the Law Office of Richard Lawson. We specialize in DUI cases and have defended good people all over Georgia. When it seems all hope is lost, know that there are options available to you, and we can help. Your best defense begins with us!
Nelson GA DUI Resources
Cherokee County Sheriff's Department
Cherokee County Clerk of Courts
Georgia Department of Public Safety
Administrative Office of the Courts