Whitfield County DUI Lawyer - Whitfield County DUI Attorney

Dalton DUI Lawyer - Dalton DUI Attorney 

AGGRESSIVE DUI DEFENSE

If you have been arrested for DUI in Dalton or elsewhere in Whitfield County, Georgia; you would be wise to choose a lawyer who is not only tenacious about protecting your rights but who is also knowledgeable and experienced in the practice of DUI defense. Georgia DUI penalties are harsh.  Do not trust your future to just any attorney!  Check out our reviews on Avvo and contact us for a free, no obligation consultation.

YOUR DRIVER'S LICENSE COULD BE AUTOMATICALLY SUSPENDED UNLESS YOU ACT QUICKLY!

Georgia 30-Day Letter

Georgia's Department of Driver Services (DDS) will automatically suspend your license when they receive information about your DUI arrest. You only have THIRTY DAYS to file a request for a hearing to keep your license from suspension. The Dalton-Whitfield County DUI Defense Attorneys from our office will handle your driver's license hearing and your DUI court case as well. They will request an Administrative License Suspension (ALS) hearing or inform the court that you have chosen to install an ignition interlock device as soon as possible so you can avoid a license suspension. Depending on the circumstances of your case, your license suspension could last as long as twelve months.

I Was Arrested for DUI. What Happens Now?

Take a deep breath. Help is available, so do not panic. Here is what you can expect:

Of course, a DUI case begins when your vehicle is pulled over by the police. If they suspect you are driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, you will more than likely be asked to participate in field sobriety testing. Once this has been done, if the officer believes he has enough evidence, he will request a chemical test of your breath, blood, or urine. You will be taken to the jail, tested, and ultimately given a citation. You will bond out of jail. It is at this point that prosecutors will begin to mount a case against you.

Typically, on your citation, you will find the date of your initial court appearance. That is known as your arraignment date and is simply when you will enter your plea of "guilty" or "not guilty." If you have hired an attorney, he or she will typically enter a "not guilty" plea on your behalf at the arraignment. That allows your Dalton-Whitfield County Lawyer to look at and evaluate any evidence against you. Once that is completed, it is time to begin negotiating a plea deal if you want to plead guilty later on, or your attorney will work to get your case prepared for Motions and Trial.

If you, after consulting with your attorney, ultimately make the decision to fight your DUI case, motions may be the next step in the process. The most common motions are motions to suppress, which, if successful, result in the exclusion of potentially damaging evidence from trial. A motion to suppress may be granted if, for example, the officer failed to advise you of your Implied Consent rights correctly. A judge decides motions, as they are based on legal arguments.

Motions can sometimes be critical because they give your defense attorney the opportunity to cross-examine the law enforcement officer who arrested you under oath and extract information from them that could later be used at trial. If your case cannot be resolved by motions, your next step is to go to trial.

In Georgia, you have the right to choose either a trial by jury or judge. Some courts, such as municipal courts, are only capable of holding "bench trials," or trials in which your guilt or innocence is determined by a judge alone. Other courts, such as state and superior courts, hold jury trials. For a misdemeanor case, a jury is comprised of six individuals. For felony cases, a jury is made up of twelve individuals. 

We Have the Experience Needed to Fight for You

It is understandable that you feel powerless and scared about what could happen. DUI charges are serious and are difficult for everyone. Being arrested, hauled off to jail, getting fingerprinted and having your mug shot taken can make anyone feel frightened and embarrassed.

If all of this has happened to you, you should ask yourself these questions:

• How am I going to defend the charges against me?
• How can I find the right Dalton-Whitfield County DUI Attorney without just picking some random law firm out of the phone book?
• What can happen to me if I am convicted of DUI?

What Sort of Lawyer Do I Need?

If you are facing a DUI, you could choose any lawyer to represent you. However, most "general practitioners," if they are honest, know their limitations and highly suggest that you talk to a lawyer who specializes in DUI defense. That is especially important if this your second or third DUI charge.

You will want a DUI Lawyer in Dalton-Whitfield County who will create a strong case. In DUI cases, experience makes all the difference. DUI law is complicated and always evolving. When you are choosing a lawyer, ask them these three important questions:

• What experience do you have with DUI defense?
• How many cases similar to mine have you won?
• Why are you the best DUI Attorney in Dalton-Whitfield County for my defense?

A good DUI defense attorney should be able to tell you:

• How to fight your DUI charge;
• What your chances are of a favorable outcome (real answers, not just what you want to hear);
• The advantages (and disadvantages) of fighting your charge or pleading guilty;
• How to protect (or regain) your privilege to drive.

The DUI attorneys with The Law Office of Richard Lawson exclusively represents drivers charged with DUI and DUI-related charges and are dedicated to staying up-to-date with the latest in legal defense techniques. The Dalton-Whitfield County DUI Attorneys in our office are committed to protecting and defending your rights in court.

Richard Lawson is an expert in field sobriety testing and applies this knowledge when cross-examining police officers to highlight test flaws and limitations. His staff is also trained in administering breath machine tests, blood and urine testing procedures, DUI investigations, and accident reconstruction.

Richard Lawson is a former prosecutor and was trained by the very agencies that are prosecuting your DUI case. Richard knows most of the court personnel and police officers in your case and is the top-rated DUI defense attorney in Georgia.  His reviews can be found on Avvo.  

Do I Fight My Case or Just Plead Guilty?

That is a question for you to decide, and your answer depends on a number of things. When you contact our office for a free, no-obligation consultation, we will go over the details of your case and what options are available to you.

Some clients just want to move on with their lives and settle their case as quickly as possible. These people hire an attorney to minimize the potentially life-altering consequences of a DUI conviction. It is understandable that you might want to put the unpleasant experience behind you and get on with your life. That would obviously not be our advice, but we want you to make an informed decision.  

Educate and Inform Yourself

Our website is a wealth of information on what happens and what you can expect when you are arrested and charged with DUI in Georgia. Use our website and Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) to educate yourself on what hiring a skilled, experienced Dalton-Whitfield County DUI Attorney can do for you.

Expert Legal Advice When You Need it Most

At the Law Office of Richard Lawson, we understand that most DUI arrests occur during the weekend, holidays or non-business hours. That is the reason we are always available to take your call to discuss your case. Even if it is your first offense, going to court without an attorney could be damaging to your driving privileges and your wallet, and can even jeopardize your freedom. If you have been charged with a more serious DUI charge, or if you have prior DUIs, it is imperative that you contact a Dalton-Whitfield County DUI Lawyer before your arraignment. Regardless, you have nothing to lose by calling our office because our first consultation is free. Our Dalton-Whitfield County DUI Lawyers will take the time to go over your case and give you advice on how best to proceed.

At the Law Office of Richard Lawson, our Dalton-Whitfield County DUI Attorneys defend individuals arrested for DUI in the Dalton/Whitfield County area and throughout Georgia every day.   If you have been charged with DUI or any DUI-related offense, it is crucial to consult an attorney that devotes his or her practice to this particular area of the law. Even if you have a family attorney who has served your family for years, they might not handle DUI cases very often. DUI law is confusing and can have serious consequences that can last a lifetime. Having your case handled by anyone other than a Dalton-Whitfield County DUI Attorney is a chance you cannot afford to take. If you were charged with a DUI or DUI-related offense, your first question you should ask any lawyer before hiring them should be "How often do you represent defendants who have been arrested and charged with DUI?" If their answer is less than "every day," you should contact the Law Office of Richard Lawson for a free, no-hassle initial consultation.

DRUGS AND DUI

Most people know that operating a motor vehicle under the influence of drugs is illegal in Georgia. What most people don't realize, however, is that you can be charged with DUI-Drugs even if the only drug in your system is a legally prescribed medication.

DUI-Drugs cases are sometimes problematic for prosecutors and police alike. The general public does not know as much about the effects of drugs on a person as they do alcohol. Typically, it is easier to tell when someone is under the influence of alcohol than drugs. We have all seen individuals who we know are under the influence of alcohol—they smell of alcohol, their speech is slurred, and they are uncoordinated. Drugs, however, are less easy to recognize. What makes the situation even more complicated is that some drugs can produce symptoms that are similar to health conditions, such as dilated pupils.

Only a small number of law enforcement officers have the training and experience necessary to detect whether someone is driving under the influence of illegal or prescription drugs. One of our Dalton-Whitfield County DUI Lawyers will look at the lab report to see if the drugs in your system impaired your ability to drive.

Understanding the Court System in Dalton-Whitfield County

Depending on where in Whitfield County you were arrested for DUI, there are a few courts that could have jurisdiction over your case. If you were arrested within the limits of an incorporated city or town, your case would be heard in that municipal court. Our experienced Dalton-Whitfield County DUI Attorneys are more than knowledgeable about the municipal courts in Whitfield County, Georgia.

Dalton Municipal Court

Need a DUI Lawyer in Dalton?  If your misdemeanor DUI arrest occurred within the Dalton city limits, your case would be heard in the Dalton Municipal Court. The Honorable Jim E. Wilbanks is the Chief Municipal Court Judge. Michael Corbin is the City Solicitor, Angela Sackett is the Court Administrator, and Misty West is the Chief Deputy Clerk. Court is held Wednesdays at 8:30 a.m. at 214 W. King Street, Dalton, GA 30721. Please note that arriving late for your court appearance is not tolerated and will result in a contempt charge and a FINE of $130. You may contact the Dalton Municipal Court with any questions by telephone at (706) 278-1913. Business hours for the court office are Monday through Friday 8 AM-4PM.

Cohutta Municipal Court

For a misdemeanor DUI charge within Cohutta City limits, you need a Cohutta DUI Lawyer to handle your case in the Municipal Court of Cohutta.   Court is held on Mondays (typically the last Monday of the month). Arraignment is at 6:00 p.m. in the Cohutta Town Hall at 5102 Red Clay Road, Cohutta, GA 30710. Judge J. Allen Hammontree is the presiding judge, and the Clerk of Court is Jamie Nance. The Court's office hours are Monday through Friday 9:00 a.m. -5:00 p.m., except legal holidays. The phone number is (706) 463-8961.

Tunnel Hill Municipal Court

Arrested in Tunnel Hill?  Contact a Tunnel Hill DUI Lawyer with the Law Office of Richard Lawson.  Tunnel Hill Municipal Court hears misdemeanor DUI cases that originated from an arrest within the city limits of Tunnel Hill. The Honorable Gee Vaughn is the judge, and the Chief Clerk is Melinda Griffin. The address of the court is 201 G. Vaughn Parkway, Tunnel Hill, GA 30755. The phone number is (706) 673-2355.

Varnell Municipal Court

If you were arrested for misdemeanor DUI in the City of Varnell, your Varnell DUI Lawyer would be representing your case in the Municipal Court of Varnell. Court is presided over by Judge Phil Woodward and Judge Pro-Tem Jim Wilbanks and is held Mondays at 6:00 PM, except legal holidays.  The address is 200 City Hall Drive, Varnell, GA 30756.  The office phone number is (706) 694-8800.

Whitfield County Superior Court

If you decide to exercise your right to have a jury trial in Whitfield County, Georgia, your case will be transferred, or "bound over" from city (municipal) court to Whitfield County Superior Court. Any jury trials for misdemeanor DUIs are heard in Superior Court. The Whitfield County DUI Lawyers from our office are familiar with Whitfield County Superior Court processes.

For felony DUI cases in Whitfield County, Georgia, your case would be heard by a Superior Court judge from the Conasauga Judicial Circuit. The Conasauga Judicial Circuit has four judges who preside over jury trials: Chief Judge William T. Boyett, Judge Jack Partain, Judge Cindy Morris, and Judge David J. Blevins. The Clerk of Superior Court is Melica Kendrick, and the Deputy Clerk is Linda Monteith. They can be reached by phone at (706) 275-7450. The court address is 205 N Selvidge Street, Dalton, GA 30720.

Where Can I Find More Information About Georgia DUI Law?

This website was created to give you DUI information that you can access 24 hours a day, seven days a week. We update it daily to give you the most up-to-date DUI news and information. Please check out Georgia DUI News on our Georgia DUI information Blog. The Law Offices of Richard Lawson serves persons arrested for DUI state-wide and has seasoned, skilled DUI Attorneys in Dalton-Whitfield County waiting to talk to you about your case. We are available anytime; nights, weekends, and even holidays. A Whitfield County DUI Lawyer is on-call when you need help the most.

Experience is the Difference in Whitfield County

Richard Lawson is a DUI defense expert who has attended as well as taught seminars on how to defend clients in DUI cases. Why not hire an attorney who has trained other lawyers on best practices in DUI defense?

Call us for a free, no-hassle consultation if you need effective and professional legal representation after DUI arrest. Do not put your future in the hands of an inexperienced lawyer or even an experienced "general practitioner." There is simply too much at stake. Our office only handles DUI and DUI-related cases. If you choose an attorney who is not up-to-date with Georgia's ever-changing DUI laws, you could lose your driver's license, or even worse, your freedom. What you need is a top-rated, experienced attorney who specializes in representing DUI cases. Being arrested for DUI is scary and embarrassing, but can happen to anyone.   Protect your rights and your future by selecting the DUI defense firm with the best DUI Lawyers in Whitfield County.   Hire an attorney who will be with you every step of the way.  Call now; a Whitfield County DUI Lawyer is standing by.  

Whitfield County DUI Resources 

Whitfield County Sheriff's Office

Superior Court of Whitfield County

Whitfield County Clerk of Court

Georgia State Patrol

Administrative Office of the Courts

Dalton-Whitfield Regional Library

Wikipedia of Whitfield County 

Have You Been Arrested For DUI In Whitfield County Georgia?