Pike County GA DUI Lawyer – Pike County GA DUI Attorney
Zebulon GA DUI Lawyer – Zebulon GA DUI Attorney
Experience Counts
Experience counts; especially when your freedom is at stake. The Law Office of Richard Lawson knows how tough Georgia laws are on people who have been arrested and charged with DUI.
Richard Lawson began his legal career over twenty five years ago as a Georgia DUI prosecutor. His experience with both sides of the courtroom gives each case an advantage. He and his team of Pike County GA DUI Lawyers know how important it is to plead “not guilty” and fight your DUI charge. A DUI conviction can lead to thousands of dollars in fines and fees, possible jail time, and a driver's license suspension. Are you ready to put his experience and knowledge to work for you and your Pike County Georgia DUI case? Check out his reviews on Avvo and contact us for a free, no-obligation consultation.
DUI Overview – What You Should Know
An arrest for DUI is a stressful experience. An arrest can impact your life in many ways for years to come. A DUI conviction can lead to penalties such as:
- Expensive fines and fees
- Driver's license suspension
- Jail time
- Probation
- And more
If you were arrested for DUI, you will need a strong, aggressive Pike County GA DUI Attorney on your side. Our Pike County Georgia DUI Lawyers take each and every case seriously. Whether your arrest occurred because you made the wrong decision to drink and drive, or unfairly charged with DUI in Pike County GA, a Pike County Georgia DUI Attorney from the Law Offices of Richard Lawson will fight for you and your freedom.
In Georgia, the “legal limit” for blood alcohol concentration (BAC) is .08. Anyone who is operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or drugs, or drives while appearing intoxicated, may be arrested and charged with DUI. Drivers under the age of 21 who have any trace of alcohol (.02) in their system can be arrested for DUI. Law enforcement will ask you to take a breath, blood, or urine test or field sobriety tests to determine if a driver should be arrested for DUI.
A driver may be stopped by police if they are seen to be weaving between lanes or driving erratically. If you are pulled over by an officer, you should be polite and respectful; as the officer is observing your behavior to prove you are intoxicated. They may look for open containers of alcohol, see if you are slurring your speech, or having trouble answering their questions.
DUI License Suspension – What You Should Know
Many Georgia motorists who are stopped for suspicion of DUI do not realize that a Georgia DUI arrest creates two cases against them. Specifically, a Georgia DUI arrest results in a criminal charge and also initiates a civil case against your driving privilege called an Administrative License Suspension, or ALS.
An administrative license suspension (ALS) is also initiated against a driver who refuses to submit to the State's chemical test of their breath, blood, or urine. The legal authority to levy a license suspension lies with Georgia's Implied Consent statute.
30-Day Warning!
If you have been arrested for DUI in Pike County Georgia, you have only thirty days to keep your license from being suspended. You (or your Pike County GA DUI Lawyer) will need to file a request for an Administrative License (ALS) Hearing for a fee of $150. Alternatively, you can request an ignition interlock device. If the request for the hearing or device is not filed, or is not done so in the thirty-day timeframe, your license will be suspended. If you have been accused of refusing the State's chemical test of your breath, blood, or urine, your license will be suspended for one year, with no chance for a permit. Contact a seasoned DUI Attorney in Pike County GA right away to discuss which option is best for your case.
What Happens After a DUI Arrest?
Any of the aforementioned signs can lead to a driver having to submit to a chemical test of their breath, blood, or urine or a field sobriety test. The police officer may arrest you for DUI if you fail either of these tests. However, a skilled Pike County GA DUI Lawyer from the Law Office of Richard Lawson knows how to challenge chemical tests and field sobriety tests and get you the best outcome possible.
A Pike County Georgia DUI arrest can be frustrating. You are more than likely facing steep fines and fees and possible jail time. However, the DUI charge does not have to ruin your entire life. It is imperative to contact an experienced DUI Lawyer in Pike County GA as soon as possible if you are arrested and charged with DUI. A DUI Attorney in Pike County Georgia who is well-versed in Georgia DUI Law may be able to help you avoid a DUI conviction.
The Pike County GA DUI Lawyers with the Law Office of Richard Lawson have the experience and resources necessary for anyone who has been charged with DUI to defend their legal rights. Our Pike County GA DUI Attorneys have an impressive track record of positive results.
Why You Should Not Plead Guilty
So you failed a breath or blood test. That does not mean you are automatically guilty. In the US, everyone is thought to be innocent until proven otherwise. The US Constitution gives you the right to have your day in court.
For many years, Georgia DUI laws have been getting tougher and tougher. Georgia legislators pass new laws virtually every year or increase the penalties and punishment for existing laws. Unfortunately, many people arrested and charged with DUI will plead guilty, not realizing the long-term consequences of a DUI conviction. In fact, some attorneys take cases just to persuade their clients to plead guilty and accept the consequences. The Pike County Georgia DUI Lawyers with the Law Office of Richard Lawson know that if you have been arrested and charged with DUI in Pike County GA, you should fight it. Hire the best Pike County GA DUI Attorney only if you care about getting the best outcome possible. The way to get the best outcome is to plead “NOT GUILTY!”
PIKE COUNTY GA COURT SYSTEM
Pike County Probate Court
When you have been arrested for DUI in Pike County Georgia, you want an attorney who is familiar with the Pike County court system.
When someone is arrested in an unincorporated area of Pike County, their case would have its arraignment in Pike County Probate Court. The Probate Court Judge is Honorable Lynn Brandenburg. Office hours are Monday – Friday, 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM. Court is held at 16001 Barnesville Street, Zebulon, GA 30295. Call (770) 567-8734 for more information.
Map to Pike County GA Probate Court
Municipal Courts in Pike County GA
When someone is arrested for misdemeanor DUI within a city's limits, the arraignment for their case will be in that city's municipal court. For Pike County Georgia, that means Concord Municipal Court or Zebulon Municipal Court.
In municipal court, your Pike County GA DUI Lawyer can fight for a dismissal, negotiate a plea agreement, or have a bench trial (trial by a judge only). City courts do not have jury trials.
If a defendant wants a trial by jury, their case will be sent to Pike County Superior Court. In Superior Court, the District Attorney is the prosecutor, and the setting is more formal. No defendant should attend any hearing or proceeding in Superior Court without appropriate legal representation from a Pike County DUI Attorney.
Concord GA Municipal Court
Concord GA Municipal Court is located at 50 Main Street, Concord, GA 30201. The Honorable David Fowler is the presiding judge, and Sharon Casey is the Clerk of Court. Call (770) 884-5221 for more information.
Map to Concord GA Municipal Court
City of Zebulon GA Municipal Court
Zebulon Municipal Court is held at 7818 Highway 19 South, Zebulon, GA 30295. The Honorable Robert Morton is the presiding judge, and Tabitha Crowley is the Chief Clerk. Please call (770) 567-8441 for more information.
When you need an experienced DUI Lawyer in Zebulon GA, look no further than the Law Office of Richard Lawson. Our Zebulon GA DUI Lawyers have the expertise and knowledge you need to get the best possible outcome for your case.
Map to Zebulon Municipal Court
Pike County GA Superior Court
Pike County Superior Court is part of the Griffin Judicial Circuit along with Fayette, Spalding, and Upson Counties.
Pike County Superior Court is held at 16001 Barnesville Street, Zebulon, GA 30295. Carolyn Williams is the Clerk of Superior Court and may be reached by calling (770) 567-2000.
District Attorney Scott Ballard handles the prosecution of all misdemeanor and felony cases in Pike County Superior Court. He has the final say in who is charged with committing a crime in Pike County and what plea negotiation (if any) is considered. DA Scott Ballard's contact information is:
Scott Ballard
Griffin Circuit District Attorney
329 Thomaston Street
Zebulon, Georgia 30295
(770) 567-2020
The Pike County Superior Court Judges are:
- Honorable Christopher Edwards
- Honorable Tommy R. Hankinson
- Honorable W. Fletcher Sams
- Honorable Robert M. Crawford
Know Your Rights
The Law Offices of Richard Lawson offers a no-obligation, hassle-free consultation to evaluate your Pike County DUI case. There is no risk to you whatsoever, and you will learn about what rights you have and any options available to you. After that, if you are not convinced that our Pike County GA DUI Attorneys can get you the best outcome possible for your case, you owe us nothing. We are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and holidays as well. The Law Offices of Richard Lawson: your best defense begins with here. Contact one of our skilled Pike County Georgia DUI Lawyers today!
Our Attorneys
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Richard Lawson
Managing Partner at Lawson & Berry:
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Kimberly A. Berry
Partner at Lawson & Berry:
Pike County GA DUI Resources
Pike County GA Sheriff's Department
Pike County GA Clerk of Superior Court
Administrative Office of the Courts
Wikipedia of Pike County Georgia
