Rockdale County DUI Lawyer - Rockdale County DUI Attorney
Our Experience Makes the Difference
The Law Office of Richard Lawson is Georgia's premier DUI Defense law firm. Founded by former Georgia prosecutor Richard Lawson, our firm has proudly defended Georgians for over 25 years. With our team of Rockdale County DUI Attorneys and amazing support staff, The Law Office of Richard Lawson has helped many clients receive the best outcome possible for their case.
Our Rockdale County DUI Lawyers make continuing legal education a top priority so they may improve their knowledge and hone their skills to provide you with the best defense possible. Richard Lawson is the highest-rated DUI Attorney in Georgia, as rated by Avvo.
We have Rockdale County DUI Attorneys available to speak with you 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Contact us today and put our experience and knowledge to work for you.
Should You Fight a DUI Charge?
If you have been accused of driving under the influence (DUI) in Rockdale County, your best and only option is to fight back. Simply put: if you plead guilty, you will be found guilty. Every. Single. Time. If you still need convincing, check out this list of penalties for DUI:
Georgia DUI conviction penalties include:
- Possible fines ranging from a few hundred to thousands of dollars
- An increase in insurance premiums
- Suspended License
- Possible time spent in jail ranges from a few days to several years
Just when you think the pain is over, you are wrong. Years after those punishments are mere memories, your DUI conviction will still be there, sitting on your permanent criminal record, where your employer (or potential employer), family, or nosy neighbor can look it up online. It will be that way for the rest of your life, even if you are never again in trouble with the law.
It does not have to be that way, and you can fight back with the assistance of a Rockdale County DUI Lawyer from The Law Office of Richard Lawson. Our Rockdale County DUI Attorneys are experienced, aggressive and understand Georgia's complex DUI laws. Remember, an arrest for DUI in Rockdale County does not mean you are guilty. To convict you, the State will have to prove their case against you in court. That is why you need an experienced Rockdale County DUI Lawyer by your side to protect your rights. Georgia DUI Laws are complicated, so it is never a good idea for you to represent yourself. It is also never a good idea to bring your lawyer friend or relative to help you in court. You need a skilled DUI Lawyer in Rockdale County who can challenge the State's evidence and witnesses against you and get you the best possible outcome.
You are probably thinking that hiring an attorney who specializes in DUI Defense is expensive but think about the alternatives: hefty fines, increased insurance premiums, losing your driving privilege and maybe your job. Do not forget that you will have a permanent criminal record for the rest of your life. Can you afford not to fight your DUI charge?
30-Day Warning
If you were arrested for DUI in Georgia, you have only thirty days to save your driving privilege by filing a request for an Administrative License Suspension (ALS) Hearing or request an ignition interlock device. The State fee is $150 to file the hearing request. If the hearing or device is not requested (or not within the 30-day time frame, your license will be suspended. If you refused the testing of your blood, breath, or urine, your license will be suspended for one year, with no opportunity for a permit.
What To Do After Your DUI Arrest
You were pulled over by law enforcement and were subsequently arrested for DUI. Your mind is racing with a million thoughts running through your mind like:
- What should I do next?
- Am I going to lose my driver's license?
- Will I lose my job?
- Should I talk with an attorney?
Here are some suggestions of what to do after you have been arrested for DUI in Rockdale County:
1. Write everything down. Many legal cases have been lost and won with small details. DUI cases are no different; write everything down that you can remember, no matter how small and insignificant it may be. Here are some questions that can help you remember:
- When and where were you pulled over by police?
- What was the reason the officer gave for the stop?
- Did you submit to the breath test?
- Did you tell the officer what you had to eat or drink?
- Did you perform any field sobriety tests?
Set aside some time to write down everything you can remember about the stop and your arrest, and give it to your attorney. You will be glad you did.
2. Check your social media privacy settings. You know the old saying “anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law?” Well, in this day of social media, whatever you post online can also be used against you. Prosecutors can (and often do) scan social media sites such as Facebook and Twitter to look for incriminating pictures or posts to use against a DUI defendant, especially if they are from the night in question.
When taken out of context, this public information can damage your case and reputation enough for a jury to convict you, even if you are innocent. Do not shoot yourself in the foot. Make your social media profiles private and do not post about your DUI arrest (or anything related to that night) online.
3. Search for witnesses. Talk to friends, acquaintances, and even family. It is especially important if they saw you right before your arrest, right after, or even during your DUI stop. Ask if they would testify on your behalf in court. Witnesses can be a big help to your defense and in strengthening your case. Find as many as possible.
4. Hire a good DUI Attorney. The most crucial decision you can make for your Rockdale County DUI case is which lawyer will defend your case in court. DUI cases are made up of a lot of science, and knowing the science that makes them up is the only way to win your case.
Take the time to research and meet with potential DUI attorneys before making your final decision. Inquire about their credentials in DUI law and forensic science before choosing.
5. Try not to worry and obsess over your case. An arrest for DUI is likely one of the most stressful things that can happen to your life. While you are expected to worry and obsess over what might happen and how your case will turn out, let your attorney handle it. Make sure to keep in touch with your attorney and ask any questions you may have. An experienced Rockdale County DUI Attorney will fight for you, and take a lot of the stress and pressure off your shoulders.
ROCKDALE COUNTY COURT SYSTEM
In Rockdale County, many courts could have jurisdiction over your DUI case, depending on the location of your arrest. If your misdemeanor DUI arrest happened in an incorporated city, your case would be heard in that city's municipal court.
Conyers Municipal Court
If you were arrested for misdemeanor DUI in Conyers, Georgia, you should contact a Conyers DUI Lawyer right away to defend you in Conyers Municipal Court. The Court Clerks are Mechelle D. Cooper and Tonya L. Searcy. Municipal Court Judges are Chief Judge Terry Massey, and Associate Judge Garland C. “Gary” Moore. Court is held at 1178 Scott Street SE, Conyers, Georgia 30012. The contact number is (770) 929-4208. Please see the Conyers Municipal Court website for further information. Call us to speak with a DUI Lawyer in Conyers today!
Rockdale County State Court
If you were arrested in an unincorporated area of Rockdale County, or if you would like a jury trial, your case would be heard in Rockdale County State Court. The State Court Judge is Nancy Bills. Judge Bills also oversees the Rockdale County DUI Court Supervised Treatment Program. For more information on DUI Court, call (770) 278-7728 or email [email protected]. Rockdale County State Court is held at the Rockdale County Courthouse at 922 Court Street, Conyers, Georgia 30012. Office hours are Monday through Friday 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM. Call (770) 278-7720 for further information.
Rockdale County Superior Court
Superior Court has jurisdiction over all felony DUI cases. Rockdale County Superior Court has two judges who hear felony cases: Chief Judge David Irwin, and Associate Judge Robert Mumford. Ruth A. Wilson is the Clerk of Court. Court is held at 922 Court Street, Conyers, Georgia 30012.
The Chief Prosecuting Officer for Superior Court is the District Attorney's Office. The District Attorney for Rockdale County is Richard R. Read. His contact information is:
Richard R. Read, District Attorney
Rockdale County Superior Court
922 Court Street, Room 201
Conyers, Georgia 30012
(770) 278-7990
Expect the Best
If you are looking for aggressive, skilled legal representation in Rockdale County, ask around and you will find out that the Rockdale County DUI Lawyers with the Law Office of Richard Lawson are some of the most respected, highly regarded DUI attorneys in Georgia. Contact us today for a free consultation.
Our Attorneys
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Richard Lawson
Managing Partner at Lawson & Berry:
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Kimberly A. Berry
Partner at Lawson & Berry:
Rockdale County DUI Resources
Rockdale County Sheriff's Office
Rockdale County Clerk of State and Superior Courts
Conyers-Rockdale Library System
