Atlanta DUI Lawyer handles cases involving driving under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs, including prescription medications. These are serious offenses that carry significant criminal penalties including jail time and license suspension.
Experienced lawyers are well versed in the rules of evidence and police procedure. They know what questions to ask and how to dissect the prosecution’s case.
Experience
The State of Georgia is tough on DUI offenders. The penalties can include jail time and fines. But you do have options to fight the case, including requesting an ALS hearing within thirty days of your arrest.
A successful Atlanta DUI Lawyer will help you avoid conviction and minimize the penalties you might face. They will review the evidence, such as whether law enforcement had probable cause to stop you, and whether there were any driving manifestations that indicate you might be impaired. They will also look at the breath alcohol test results and try to find ways to exclude them if they show your blood alcohol content was over the legal limit.
Richard Lawson began his career as a prosecutor in Metro Atlanta and North Georgia, giving him an intimate knowledge of the courts where your case will be pending. He is in a position to assess plea offers made by the prosecution in your case and decide whether they are worth accepting or rejecting.
Knowledge of the Court Venue
A DUI attorney who is familiar with the court where your case will be heard can help you avoid a conviction or have the charges dismissed. The court will have specific protocols and requirements that your attorney needs to know in order to mount a strong defense.
A judge or court can dismiss a case sua sponte (without the input of either party) if they feel that it was filed in an improper venue. The determination of the proper venue for a trial is usually controlled by a statute.
If you are a resident of Georgia or come to Atlanta for work, it is important to choose a qualified DUI lawyer who can handle your case in the appropriate jurisdiction. This is because the first DUI in Georgia is considered a “priorable offense” and can lead to jail time and increased penalties for any future offenses. Additionally, a DUI can affect your immigration status. If you are an immigrant, a series of DUI convictions may be interpreted as an indication that you lack “great ethical character” and could impact your citizenship application.
Knowledge of the Area
Many people charged with DUI have no idea that this is a serious offense, but it can lead to a misdemeanor or high and aggravated misdemeanor conviction (or even a felony) on their criminal record as well as an administrative license suspension. That’s why it’s important to hire an Atlanta DUI Lawyer as soon as possible.
An Atlanta DUI attorney with experience in the local court where your case is pending will understand the local rules of evidence and the particular procedural issues that can arise in defending a DUI. They will be able to evaluate a plea offer from the prosecutor and make the best decision for your case.
Whether you live in Georgia or are simply visiting, being charged with DUI can be a frightening and overwhelming event. Strict state laws and penalties are harsh, so you should never face the prosecution alone. Contact an experienced Atlanta DUI lawyer right away to start your defense.
Phone Conferences
If you are arrested for DUI in Georgia, you have a limited time to request a hearing with the Department of Driver Services to keep your driving privileges. A good Atlanta DUI Lawyer can help you with this process and can also assist with fighting criminal penalties, such as jail time, probation and fines.
DUI lawyers know how to dissect police procedures and techniques. They can also use their experience to understand the tendencies of prosecutors and judges in order to protect your rights.
In addition to writing his own law book on DUI Defense, Bubba Head has authored or helped write 12 other books on legal topics including Miranda rights, Georgia implied consent laws and illegal search and seizure at traffic stops. He has trained other attorneys to defend DUI cases by teaching the National College for DUI Defense and conducting seminars on field sobriety test training and forensic breath alcohol test reliability. He is also a certified National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Instructor Course Graduate for Field Sobriety Tests.
