Pickens County DUI Lawyer

Pickens County DUI Lawyer – Pickens County DUI Attorney

Aggressive DUI Defense

DUI cases are complicated. An arrest for DUI produces an audio/video recording, police reports, breath test results, copies of logs, calibration records and officer training/certification records. Each of these is important because they are part of the procedures law enforcement must follow for evidence against you can be used in court.

A thorough review of these documents by your DUI Lawyer in Pickens County GA can discover potential legal defenses that could lead to a dismissal or a reduced charge. It is amazing how many errors and contradictions they can contain.

Our founder, Richard Lawson, is Georgia's top-rated DUI Defense Attorney, as rated by Avvo. Take a look at his stellar reviews and contact us for a cost-free, hassle-free consultation.

Our Pickens County Georgia DUI Attorneys know that DUI charges can put your job, marriage, education, and freedom in jeopardy. Crafting a strong DUI Defense requires an aggressive attorney to handle every facet of your case.

30-Day Warning

If you have been arrested for DUI in Georgia, you have only thirty days to protect your driver's license by requesting an Administrative License Suspension (ALS) Hearing or choosing to install an ignition interlock device on your vehicle. The State's fee to file this hearing request is $150. If the hearing or device is not requested, or not done so within the thirty-day timeframe, your license will be suspended. If you refused the testing of your blood, breath, or urine, your license would be suspended for twelve months, with no chance of a permit to drive.

Do I Have to Hire a DUI Attorney in Pickens County GA? Why Can't I Just Defend Myself?

You are facing charges for driving under the influence—do you contact a lawyer? People often ask themselves that question after a DUI arrest. Many are worried about the cost of hiring a lawyer, or even how to find a reputable one they can trust to represent them. Some of the accused are so confident that they do not need an attorney, especially if they plan to plead guilty to their charges.

Yes, the court will let you handle your DUI case without a lawyer. Unfortunately for them, DUI Defense requires much specialized knowledge. Even if you believe you will be convicted, there could be defenses that could be used to avoid being found guilty, or negotiate a plea bargain that will allow a lesser penalty. To have a good chance at a favorable outcome, it is imperative that you contact a DUI Lawyer in Pickens County Georgia as soon as possible after an arrest for DUI. We are here to help.

Do I Need an Attorney for a DUI Case?

Whenever you face criminal charges, you always have a right to have an attorney represent you. That is one of your rights that law enforcement will inform you of when they read you the Miranda warning when you are arrested. You have a right to an attorney because of the complexity of the court system (and the Sixth Amendment) and its legal requirements. To make sure you get a fair trial, you need a Pickens County DUI Lawyer who knows and understands the criminal justice system and what you need to do to protect your rights.

For example, if you were illegally searched (a violation of your Fourth Amendment rights), you would need to have a pre-trial motion filed with the court to suppress any evidence that search uncovered. Understanding how motions work and how to write them and support your argument takes knowledge of past case law and civil procedure rules within the judicial system. If you do not possess this knowledge, illegally procured evidence against you could be used to put you in jail and leave you with a criminal record.

You would be taking a huge risk by defending yourself, and you could end up paying thousands of dollars and end up in jail. Our Pickens County GA DUI Attorneys can provide you with the assistance you need so your rights are not in jeopardy. We will work to find the most the cost-effective approach to your Pickens County DUI case that will allow you to protect yourself and get the best outcome possible for your case.

Is My DUI Charge a Felony?

Law violations can be classified as infractions, misdemeanors, and felonies. Minor offenses, such as running a stop sign, are considered to be infractions and typically only require you to pay a fine. Some traffic violations, however, are misdemeanors, and even felonies, depending on the offense. For example, a violation of a traffic law that causes damage to another person or property could go from an infraction to a misdemeanor. DUI is most of the time a misdemeanor, however, if there is injury or a fatality involved, the traffic violation could become a felony. Some felony traffic charges are hit-and-run, DUI habitual violator, child endangerment, serious injury by vehicle and vehicular homicide.

Challenging Your DUI Charge

When you arrested and charged with DUI, you need to contest the charge. Luckily, there are ways your DUI Attorney in Pickens County Georgia can challenge your DUI charge and win you the most favorable outcome.

Challenge Your Traffic Stop

Almost every DUI arrest begins with a traffic stop or a car accident. Many times law enforcement will pull you over to give you a ticket for a minor traffic violation. However, sometimes an officer is suspicious that you might be intoxicated and is too anxious to wait for you to violate the law and will stop you no matter what. That is where you first start fighting your DUI charge. If you are pulled over without a valid reason, any evidence that you were driving under the influence (breath test results, bloodshot eyes, reeking of alcohol, and any admissions you made to the officer) is inadmissible in court. Successfully challenging the reason you were stopped can cause your case to be dismissed.

Challenge Why Your Stop Became a DUI Investigation

Even though your traffic stop was valid, why did the officer expand the scope of the stop into a DUI investigation? Naturally, the police did not stop you because he smelled alcohol on your breath, saw your bloodshot eyes, or heard your slurred speech. You were stopped for some other reason. If you were stopped for speeding, the officer must have additional evidence other than you driving fast to justify a DUI investigation.

Your Pickens County DUI Attorney will obtain the police report and audio/video recording of the stop and will go through it to find if the officer had enough evidence to initiate a DUI investigation.

Challenge Test Results

Another area to challenge is the test results. This challenge focuses on field sobriety tests, the chemical test, and the science behind both. This defense may or may not require the use of expert witnesses.

Challenging your DUI charge is the best way to clear your good name and keep your record clean.

PICKENS COUNTY COURT INFORMATION

Pickens County has many courts that could have jurisdiction over your DUI case depending on the location of your arrest. Misdemeanor DUI arrests that occur within the limits of an incorporated city would be heard in that city's municipal court. You should hire a Pickens County DUI Lawyer who understands Georgia's complicated court system. Our Pickens County GA DUI Lawyers know the clerks, prosecutors, and judges, and will use that knowledge to defend your case.

City of Jasper, Georgia Municipal Court

If your DUI arrest occurred in Jasper, GA, your case would be heard in Jasper, GA Municipal Court. Contact a skilled Jasper GA DUI Lawyer right away. The Honorable James T. Johnson is the Municipal Court Judge, and Tonya Dutton is the Clerk of Court. David Meyers is the Solicitor. City of Jasper GA Municipal Court is held the third Tuesday of each month at 9 AM at Jasper City Hall at 200 Burnt Mountain Road, Jasper, Georgia 30143. Please call (706) 253-9110 for more information. Our office has a DUI Attorney in Jasper Georgia waiting to take your call right this minute.

Nelson Municipal Court

If you were arrested in the City of Nelson, your case needs a Nelson DUI Lawyer to defend you in Nelson Municipal Court. 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. The Honorable Richard Jones is the Municipal Court Judge, the Clerk of Court is Tina Faber, and Jeff Rusbridge is the Solicitor. Court is held on the second Monday of each month at 1985 Kennesaw Avenue, Nelson, Georgia 30151. Call (770) 735-2211 for further information. Finding a skilled DUI Lawyer in Nelson is not difficult. Call the Law Office of Richard Lawson for a free consultation today!

Pickens County GA Probate Court

Pickens County, Georgia does not have a State Court and, therefore, misdemeanor DUI cases are heard in Pickens County GA Probate Court. David W. Lindsey and W. Allen Wigington are the Probate Judges, and Amma Dell Whitsell is the Chief Clerk of Court. Court is held at 50 North Main Street, Jasper, Georgia 30143. Call (706) 253-8757 for more information.

Pickens County GA Superior Court

Pickens County Superior Court hears all felony DUI cases. Gail Brown is the Clerk of Court and can be reached by calling (706) 253-8763. Court is held at 50 North Main Street, Jasper, Georgia 30143. Hiring a Jasper GA DUI Lawyer from The Law Office of Richard Lawson is the best way to protect your rights in Pickens County Georgia Superior Court.

Pickens County GA Superior Court is part of the Appalachian Judicial Circuit, which includes Fannin and Gilmer counties. There are three judges who hear cases:

Brenda S. Weaver, Chief Judge
Appalachian Judicial Circuit
P. O. Box 545
Jasper, GA 30143
(706) 253-8729

Roger E. Bradley, Judge
Appalachian Judicial Circuit
1 Broad Street, Suite 202
Ellijay, GA 30540
(706) 515-2027

Amanda H. Mercier, Judge
Appalachian Judicial Circuit
400 West Main Street, Suite 300
Blue Ridge, GA 30513
(706) 258-5204

Aggressive DUI Defense

One of the biggest mistakes is thinking your case is hopeless and cannot be won. Do not sit and wait for your charges to magically go away. An aggressive defense is the best way to fight a DUI charge. Call us for a free consultation with a Pickens County GA DUI Lawyer or Jasper GA DUI Attorney today!

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