Recent Blog Posts

DUI Arrests in Atlanta Georgia

Richard S. Lawson — Fri, 18 May 2012 04:01:00 GMT

Being stopped by a police officer in Atlanta, GA can be one of the most stressful events you will experience, especially if the officer suspects you of driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs. It is important to hire a DUI Lawyer in Atlanta GA if you are arrested.

No matter the reason for the initial stop, a DUI investigation may be initiated if the officer observes certain clues such as the smell of alcohol on your breath, open containers, slurred speech, or bloodshot eyes. The first question often asked is whether you have been drinking, followed by the request to step out of your vehicle. An Atlanta DUI Attorney can help evaluate your preformance on field sobriety test.

Many people do not realize that you are not required by law to answer any questions by law enforcement officers or to perform any field sobriety evaluations. All field sobriety tests are completely voluntary.

The officer uses your answers to questions, his observations of your behavior and speech, and performance on field sobriety tests to subjectively determine whether you are less safe to drive and under the influence of alcohol or drugs and will likely be used to build the State's case against you at trial.

The standardized field sobriety tests include the Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus (or HGN), the one leg stand and the walk and turn. Your performance on these tests can be admitted as evidence against you in trial to show that you were less safe to drive the night of your arrest. If you performed any of these tests after being stopped, you will need an experienced Atlanta DUI attorney that is certified in field sobriety testing to review your case and determine whether the officer correctly administered and scored the tests.

There are many circumstances that could allow for the field sobriety tests to be suppressed and inadmissible as evidence against you at trial. Law enforcement officers must be properly trained and certified in field sobriety testing and must observe specific clues. A medical screening must be completed prior to administering the field sobriety tests as many pre-existing injuries and illnesses can affect your performance on these test. In addition, your ability to pass these tests can be affected by your weight, shoes, the weather, and roadside conditions. An Atlanta DUI lawyer will challenge the circumstances of the testing conditions, the qualification of the law enforcement officer, the reliability and accuracy of the tests, and the subjective nature of the evaluations and how they are scored.

If you are arrested for DUI in the City of Atlanta, contact an experienced Atlanta DUI Defense Attorney today.

DUI Defense in the City of Atlanta

Richard S. Lawson — Thu, 17 May 2012 11:21:00 GMT

If you are arrested for DUI in the City of Atlanta you may be facing the Georgia administrative penalty, separate from the criminal proceedings. In Georgia, you licene can be suspended if you refused to take the breath test or your breath test shows that your blood alcohol concentration was 0.08 grams percent or more. The ALS penalty can be a 12 month suspension of your Georgia Driver's license or, for out-of-state drivers, your privilege to drive within the State of Georgia.

Time is of the essence and it is important to hire an Atlanta DUI lawyer soon after arrest in order to properly request a hearing and appeal your license suspension. You only have 10 business days after arrest to file an appeal to prevent the automatic suspension of your Georgia driver's license. The appeal is commonly referred to as the "10 day letter" and must include certain basic information as well state the grounds for the appeal. The reasons for the appeal will differ based on the circumstances of your arrest. To ensure all available grounds are raised, the assistance of an experienced Atlanta DUI attorney is necessary.

After requesting the hearing, you will receive notice as to when and where your hearing (commonly referred to as an "Administrative License Suspension Hearing" or "ALS hearing") will be held. It is important to note that this hearing in most cases will be in a different court and heard by a different judge (an Administrative Law Judge or "ALJ") than your criminal DUI case.

If the appeal is successful or if the officer does not show up the hearing, there will no suspension of your driver's license or privileges.

The administrative license suspension hearing can affect your criminal case in the City of Atlanta and can be vital in building your defense of the DUI, which is why it is crucial to have the representation in this early stage of your case. An Atlanta DUI attorney will utilize this hearing to gain vital information about the officer, his or her training, and the stop and subsequent arrest that will be essential in defending your case. A DUI attorney in Atlanta, GA knows how to best utilize this hearing to get information on the record, which can later be used at motion hearings and at trial.

If you refused to take the breath test, you are facing a hard 12 month license suspension and you will not be entitled to a limited driving permit. If you did submit to the state test, a DUI lawyer in Atlanta, GA will be able to help you get a limited permit which will allow you to drive to work, school, and to seek medical care and treatment, and your license will be eligible for early reinstatement after 30 days if you attend a Risk Reduction course. This administrative suspension will be credited toward any suspension period imposed in the criminal action.

The penalties can be different if you are a first, second, or third offender, under 21 years old, or even an out-of state licensee and the strategy in handling an ALS hearing and potential suspension will depend on your circumstances.

If your license is suspended after an ALS hearing, even if you refused the state test, that suspension will be lifted if you ultimately win your criminal case and any reinstatement fees which have been paid must be refunded by the Department of Driver Services. A win can be a dismissal, a nolle prosequi, a plea to a reduced charge such as reckless driving, or an acquittal.

If you are arrested for DUI in the City of Atlanta, Contact an experienced Atlanta DUI Defense Attorney today.

DUI Lawyer Atlanta

Richard S. Lawson — Wed, 16 May 2012 03:20:00 GMT

The most commonly asked question is whether getting a DUI in Atanta Georgia is different than getting a DUI in other jurisdictions? The answer is complicated. All DUI's in Georgia are governed by the same laws. O.C.G.A 40-6-391 contains the DUI Laws of Georgia.

However, the differences in Atlanta are a matter of practice and possibilies. That is why hiring a DUI Lawyer in Atlanta is very important. The Atlanta DUI Process starts with an arrest by the City of Atlanta Police Department or the Georgia State Patrol. Occocasionally, it can start with the Georgia Tech Police Department.

After the arrest, the case can eiher be sent to the City of Atlanta Municipal Court or the State Court of Fulton County. Unlike in other jurisdicitons, the arresting office can choose to send the case to the Fulton County State Court or the Atlanta Municipal Court. It's important to pay close attention to your court notice and your bonding paperwork to make sure that you know to which court you are to report and when.

After being arrested in the City of Atlanta, it's important to File a 10 Day Letter in order to protect your right to drive. In all cases my office recommends the 10 Day letter. The Georgia State Patrol takes an arrestee's licene in almost 100% of cases. City of Atlanta officers do not always take the driver's license. In the event the license is not taken, we file the 10 day letter as a precaution. For our clients, the ability to drive is so important; so we don't risk a person's drivers license.

If the case begins in the City of Atlanta Municipal Court, the case will come up very quickly. Decisions will need to be made by your Atanta DUI Lawyer. These decisions include filing discovery motions in order to get police reports and a video or the arrest. The case can potentially resolve in less than 60 days. Do not delay hiring a DUI Lawyer in Atlanta.

If the case starts in Atlanta Municipal Court, it does not have to end there. In the event the client is not satisfied with the potential outcome, the case can be bound over to the State Court of Fulton County. At State Court, there will be a new set of prosecutors and judges, with a new opportunity to negociate your case.

Other cases, mainly cases by the Georgia State Patrol, begin in the State Court of Fulton County and cannot be moved to Atlanta Municipal Court.

Understanding how to navigate the DUI Process in Atlanta is essential to make sure you get a good outcome in your case. Only an Atlanta DUI Lawyer understands the system and how it can be made to work for you. Contact Attorney Richard Lawson, a DUI Lawyer in Atlanta. He is a former DUI Prosecutor with 17 years experience helping people with their DUI Cases in the City of Atlanta.

Beauty Queen Pleads Nolo to DUI

Richard S. Lawson — Sat, 12 May 2012 19:29:00 GMT

Getting a DUI isn’t pretty, even if you’re a beauty pageant winner. Just ask former Miss USA Rima Fakih who in 2010 became the first Arab American woman to win the Miss USA crown. Ms. Fakih was arrested for DUI last December outside of Detroit, MI when she was found to have a blood alcohol level that was twice the legal limit. If you are or have been in this situation whether in Detroit or Fulton County, you know that this very confusing and scary. You could be looking at jail time and loss of license in addition to fines, community service and mandatory alcohol education classes. Even being beautiful and connected cannot keep the penalties from a DUI from effecting your life. In court this week, Ms. Fakih, with the help of her DUI attorney, pleaded no contest to the DUI and she is able to avoid jail time. She was, however, still sentenced to 6 months probation and 20 hours of community service. She will also have to pay a fine of $600 and attend alcohol safety classes.

As you can see, even a first time DUI can carry a lot of consequences. The best thing to do when facing a DUI charge in Fulton County, GA is to call a lawyer immediately. An experienced DUI lawyer will be able to tell you what your options are and what you need to do right away if you don’t want to lose your license. Call us today and we’ll even give you a free consultation so you will know exactly what you can expect a Fulton County DUI lawyer to do for you.

What to Do when Your DUI Case Drags On

Richard S. Lawson — Mon, 07 May 2012 16:15:00 GMT

Has your DUI case been dragging on for years? Do you need a Atlanta DUI lawyer to help you on a DUI arrest from over a year ago? The Fulton County State Court system, which prosecutes misdemeanor offenses such as simple battery and assault cases, shoplifting, marijuana possession as well as traffic cases like Driving Under the Influence of Drugs or Alcohol, has quite the backlog. It used to be that if you were arrested in Atlanta or Fulton County by a state trooper or City of Atlanta officer, the case went to the City of Atlanta Municipal Court for a court appearance several weeks following your arrest. However, the many of the state troopers, who do a lot of the DUI arrests in Fulton County, are now bypassing the City of Atlanta court and sending the cases right to Fulton County State Court. This means that your DUI case may lay dormant for a year or more awaiting an accusation and an arraignment date. This can be stressful because if you move in the meantime, the Court only has your old address and there is no way to update your address records with them. it makes it difficult to move on in your life with something like a DUI hanging over your head.

Eventually, most cases do surface in Fulton County eventually. If it is more than two years past your date of arrest before your case is accused and docketed, call a DUI lawyer in Fulton County GA to ask about the statute of limitations and how you can possibly avoid a prosecution for DUI. Fulton County solicitors are not likely to reduce a DUI charge to a reckless driving, so if you want to avoid a DUI conviction, you have to be ready to fight your case. If your case is a refusal of the breath or blood test, the trial will likely come down as to whether you did field sobriety tests or not or how well you performed on those evaluations. Field sobriety tests are designed to fail. People have a hard time with them under the best circumstances. Our Fulton County DUI lawyers work with field sobriety experts that we can retain as expert witnesses to discuss the flawed procedures that the arresting officer may have used.

If your case was a breath test case, you will certainly need a DUI lawyer in Fulton County GA to help you either get the breath test results surpressed (or kept out of trial) based on an error the police officer may have made, or you will need to talk with a DUI attorney about strategies to poke holes in the reliability of the test results. DUI prosecutors rely on our DUI - per se law which says that an over the limit test means you were DUI. Our DUI lawyers in Fulton County GA have stategies against that. Contact a DUI defense attorney in Atlanta today to discuss how we can help you get the best outcome.

The Benefit of Hiring a DUI Defense Team

Richard S. Lawson — Mon, 07 May 2012 02:07:00 GMT

Have you been arrested for DUI? A DUI lawyer in Atlanta can answer all of your questions. It is important to contact a Fulton County DUI lawyer right away following your DUI arrest as you only have 10 business days in which to file an appeal with the Department of Driver Services for the State of Georgia. If this appeal, along with the $150 filing fee, is not timely filed, then after 30 days, your driver's license will become suspended.

If the appeal if filed, then the Department of Driver Services will typically send you an extended driving permit along with a notice for an Administrative Law Hearing. This court date is a civil law hearing that is separate from the court date that you may have received on your ticket that will likely be in the City of Atlanta Municipal Court or in the State Court of Fulton County. The Administrative License Suspension hearings for Fulton County cases are usually held downtown at the Office of State Administrative Hearings main office on Peachtree State. However, if your DUI case stems from an arrest in north Fulton County, such as in Roswell, Alpharetta or Johns Creek, then the license hearing will typically be held at the Roswell City Hall.

Administrative law hearings are difficult to win as there is not the proof beyond a reasonable doubt burden that exists in a criminal case. In many instances, the administative hearing is a chance for your Fulton County DUI lawyer to negotiate with the arresting officer and the officer may agree to rescind the license suspension (let you have your license back) if you agree to plead guilty in the underlying case to a DUI or reckless driving charge. Sometimes the officer may agree to let you have your license back and still be free to contest your case. In other instances, if you cannot reach agreement with the arresting officer, then there will be a hearing before the administrative law judge. Typically, on the officer will testify and there are certain factual showings that he has to make. If there is a breath test, he needs to bring his operator's permit showing that he was permitted to operate the Intox5000. Failure to bring this document, along with an original print out of the breath test results, can lead to a victory at the administative license suspension hearing. There are many things that a skilled attorney can advise you of that may be winning strategies at your license suspension hearing.

Generally speaking, if you took the breath test, and it is your first DUI in a five year period, you are eligible to get a limited driving permit. However, if you refused the breath test, regardless of whether you have ever been arrested for anything, then you are facing a "hard" suspension, or a suspension when there is no limited permit available. This is why it is important early on to consult with a skilled defense team. A DUI lawyer can help you devise a strategy that meets your needs. Some people need to avoid a DUI conviction completely. Others just want to keep their license and stay out of jail.

At the Law Office of Richard Lawson, we have DUI lawyers in Fulton County courts on a regular basis. We know the system and can tell you what to expect and prepare winning strategies on your behalf. A first DUI case may be a misdemeanor, but the law is complex and the potential punishments are severe. Call us today to see how we can help you achieve your best outcome. Contact a DUI lawyer in Atlanta from the team; we are always standing by to take your call.

Second DUI in Fulton County

Richard S. Lawson — Sat, 05 May 2012 18:29:00 GMT

The only thing worse than getting a DUI is getting another DUI. Courts and judges in Fulton County and all over the country want to crack down on repeat DUI offenders. This can mean big penalties and multiple charges, especially when the DUIs are close together. For example, a New Jersey man, Anderson Sotomayor, was recently arrested for his third DUI less than a month after his second DUI. As a result of this, he was ticketed for 11 violations including: driving while intoxicated, reckless driving, failure to maintain lane, refusal to take a breath test, open container, consumption of alcohol in a motor vehicle, no registration, failure to maintain headlights, failure to signal and improper use of the center lane.

All of these charges insure he will be facing some serious jail time, hefty fines, and loss of license. A good DUI lawyer can probably work with the prosecutors to get him a plea bargain or reduced charges. This is yet another example of the huge difference having qualified legal representation can have on your DUI case.

If you are in Fulton County and are facing a second, third, or even fourth DUI you should know that a lot is at stake. Call us today to get a highly knowledgeable DUI attorney who can advise you what to do next. Courts want to rule harshly against repeat offenders and you'll need a hard working experienced DUI attorney to fight for your rights.

Martial Arts Fighter Busted for DUI

Richard S. Lawson — Sat, 05 May 2012 18:27:00 GMT

No one is too tough to beat a DUI on their own. On April 29^th, 2012 professional mixed martial arts fighter Ross Pearson was arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol. He was pulled over early Sunday morning in Las Vegas for driving erratically and failing to maintain his lane. The "The Ultimate Fighter 9" winner was arrested for DUI after he was unable to perform a field sobriety test. This is why it is important to know your rights. In Fulton County, you can decline taking a field sobriety test without legal penalty. Field sobriety tests are open to police interpretation and you could be charged as DUI when you are actually under the legal limit

Hopefully he was smart enough to call a good DUI attorney immediately after his arrest. The Law Offices of Richard S. Lawson have been helping people in Fulton County who find themselves in similar situations to Ross for almost 20 years. That much experience means you'll be getting a lawyer that will not only help you through the DUI process, but also work with you to reduce or drop charges and avoid jail time and loss of license. A DUI is can sometimes feel like a kick in the chest, but we can help to soften the blow.

Happy Cinco de Mayo!

Richard S. Lawson — Sat, 05 May 2012 18:24:00 GMT

Have a happy Cinco de Mayo this Saturday but beware of getting caught with DUI. For the first time in five years, Cinco de Mayo falls on a weekend. This means police in Fulton County are going to be out on patrol looking to pull over anyone that might have been celebrating with too many margaritas or tequila shots. Fulton County police know that Cinco de Mayo is for many a night for enjoying chips, salsa, and discounted drinks. Police usually see a rise in DUI arrests on Cinco de Mayo and that combined with it being on a Saturday night this year is a red flag for DUI enforcement. Expect police to be out full force this weekend. This may include roadblocks and random checkpoints and a higher that average number of patrol vehicles out, especially at night.

If you do get stopped this weekend or anytime at a checkpoint or roadblock and charged with a DUI, make sure you call an experienced DUI lawyer right away. Only the best DUI lawyers can advise you what to do next. We can help you determine if the checkpoint was set-up according to legal protocol and if not, we can help you get your charges dropped. Take caution any time driving and alcohols is involved, and if the worst happens, know that we are here to help 24 hours a day.

DUI Lawyer Fulton County

Richard S. Lawson — Wed, 02 May 2012 20:00:00 GMT

Have you Been arrested for DUI in Fulton County GA? Have you been arrested for DUI in Atlanta, GA?

Each DUI case in Fulton County has a specific sequence of events that take place and a Fulton County DUI lawyer can ensure that your case proceeds smoothly and that you understand what to expect throughout the process. An experienced and well-trained DUI attorney in Fulton County will be essential to your ability to defend your case. An attorney will know how to best utilize each stage in the case proceeding to get you the best possible outcome. The Fulton County DUI Process moves through certain stages as follows:

Probable Cause Hearing

Fulton County DUI cases in begin Magistrate Court and the probable cause hearing is used to determine if there was enough evidence available to the officer to determine that you were under the influence of alcohol while operating a moving vehicle before placing you under arrest. A Fulton County DUI attorney will utilize this hearing to gain vital information about the officer, his or her training, and the stop and subsequent arrest that will be essential in defending your case. A DUI attorney in Fulton County knows how to best utilize this hearing to get information on the record, which can later be used at motion hearings and at trial. Whether it is your first, second, or third DUI in Fulton County, the State must still prove that probable cause existed for your arrest. A DUI lawyer in Fulton County, however, knows exactly what the State must be able to show to create probable cause for a DUI arrest. An odor of alcohol and bloodshot eyes, two of the most common reasons an officer will state indicated to him that you were intoxicated, are not enough by themselves for arrest. If field sobriety tests were administered, a well-trained Fulton County DUI attorney will know exactly what questions to ask to determine if enough clues were present to place you under arrest.

This hearing has a lower burden of proof than required at trial and the State must only show that it is more likely than not that you were driving under the influence of alcohol. If a Magistrate Judge determines that probable cause did exist for the DUI arrest, the case will be sent to the Fulton County State Court for arraignment. This process can take several months before the case is formally accused by the Fulton County Solicitor's Office.

Arraignment

At arraignment, you are formally charged with DUI and any other traffic offenses you are alleged to have committed. While many defendants will give up and plead guilty, a DUI lawyer in Fulton County can assist you in fighting the charge and defending your case. Important motions must be filed at or before arraignment, and an experienced DUI attorney can draft these on your behalf so that your constitutional rights are protected. It is vital to have legal representation before arraignment for this purpose.

Calendar Calls

Calendar calls are court appearances that allow the judge to see all cases on his or her current trial calendar and schedule motion hearings and trial dates. This is also a great opportunity to speak with the prosecutor about your case and negotiate a plea.

Motion Hearings

Motions are used to suppress and challenge the evidence against you. Field sobriety tests can be suppressed if the officer was not trained to administer the tests or if he administered or scored the tests incorrectly. If you were not read the Georgia implied consent notice, any breath, blood, or urine test you submitted to may be excluded from evidence at trial and could not be used against you. If the officer did not have a legally valid reason to initiate a traffic stop of your vehicle, the subsequent arrest for DUI would be illegal. A Fulton County DUI attorney will know what motions are appropriate in your case and will look for all available defenses to the DUI charge.

If you successfully suppress evidence at a motions hearing, that evidence cannot be used against you at trial. This can make or break a case, which is why it is important to hire an experienced DUI attorney in Fulton County. In cases where significant pieces of evidence are suppressed, the entire case against you may be dismissed or a favorable plea to a reduced charge may be offered by the Solicitor.

Trial

There are two types of trials possible in Fulton County DUI cases – a jury trial or a bench trial where the judge acts as both judge and jury to decide your case. A Fulton County DUI attorney will assist you in determining which is the best option given the specific facts of your case. A bench trial may be a better option if a jury may not be able to fully comprehend the details of the evidence and the science behind your defense.

If you have multiple DUIs, the State may attempt to offer evidence of your past DUIs as a "similar transaction" to show that because you were guilty of DUI in the past, it is more likely that you are guilty of the current DUI charge. A DUI lawyer will hold the State to its burden of proof and instruct the jury or judge that having a past criminal history does not prove guilt of a pending DUI charge.

The State has the burden of proof at trial and must prove your guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. An experienced and well-trained DUI attorney in Fulton County will know how to cross-examine the State's witnesses and offer evidence on your behalf to weaken the State's case against you and persuade the judge or jury to find you not guilty.

If you are charged with DUI in Fulton County GA, hire the best possible defense. Your best defense begins with Attoreney Richard Lawson on your side.

CO DUI - Marijuana Blood Standard Bill Approval

Richard S. Lawson — Tue, 01 May 2012 23:01:00 GMT

It looks as though a Colorado marijuana blood standard for drivers appears to have approval looming. Colorado lawmakers voted in favor of the DUI law that consider drivers impaired if they test positive for 5 nanograms or more of THC, the psychoactive ingredient contained in marijuana, per milliliter of blood.

Like in Fulton County GA, driving while impaired by marijuana or any drug is already illegal in CO, but supporters of a THC blood limit standard say law enforcement needs benchmark - similar to the .08 blood alcohol limit - to help them evaluate drivers. Many of the lawmakers who supported this CO bill were concerned about those driving while legally prescribed marijuana. Many drivers feel that if they have medical marijuana, they are safe to drive. The CO lawmakers are concerned about a growing number of "doped" drivers and want to crack down on DUI.

On the other hand, Senator Pat Steadman, a Denver Democrat, made the point that marijuana users who legally use the drug could be unfairly deemed impaired. Unlike alcohol, THC is fat-soluble, so blood limits can remain above the legal limit even when a user is not stoned.

How does this type of bill affect Georgia? Well, it doesn't yet, but it may be looming. The White House has urged all states to set a blood level limit for driving under the influence of marijuana, though the federal government hasn't specified what the amount should be.

In Fulton County, GA, many prosecuting attorneys are quick to assume you are DUI if the officer arrested for DUI and claimed to smell the odor of marijauna on you or if you submitted to a blood test and it came back positive for marijuana. However, there is a BIG difference between exposure to marijuana and being under the influence of marijuana to the extent that you are unsafe to operate an automobile. Often, Fulton County solicitors misunderstand the marijuana blood toxicology report that they get back from the GBI crimelab or they just make some wild assertions that being high on marijuana causes bad driving.

If you are facing a marijuana or drug related DUI case in the Atlanta area, call Fulton County DUI lawyer Richard Lawson and his staff of DUI attorneys to discuss how you can best prepare your case for victory.

DUI Arrests Tripled?

Richard S. Lawson — Tue, 01 May 2012 01:32:00 GMT

A Myrtle Beach news story has been gaining national press after figures were released that as of April 2012, DUI officers there made 159 arrests since the beginning of the year for DUI. As of the same time in 2011, the same officers made less than 50 arrests for driving under the influence. Is DUI on the rise, or just the enforcement of DUI drivers? That is a big jump in DUI arrests.

Though I don't have figures available, it seems as though Atlanta DUI officers are making their fair share of DUI arrests these days as well. If you have been driving in Atlanta after around 11pm at night, you have likely seen Atlanta DUI officers making stops and conducting field sobriety tests. If you have been drinking even one beer, it is probably wise to arrange for alternate transportation.

If you do find yourself in the unfortante position of being charged with an Atlanta DUI, call our law firm to learn how to protect your rights and get the best results available on your case. Our Atlanta DUI lawyers serve the metro Atlanta, GA area and know the ins and outs of the legal system. Call us today to discuss your case.

DUI Driver Crashes Through Window of Liquor Store

Richard S. Lawson — Mon, 30 Apr 2012 03:35:00 GMT

Earlier this weekend, a 63 year old Connecticut woman crashed her car through the front of a liquor store that she frequents according to police reports. The driver claims that she was not drinking alcohol but was sick and had consumed some cold medicine. She also claims to have just had her car detailed and said that the Armour All used by the service tech caused her foot to slip off the break. She drove over a sidewalk and into the front of the liquor store. A store employee received treatment for minor injuries he sustained in the incident. The woman was arrested for DUI.

If this had occured in Fulton County GA, it would not matter if the woman had consumed alcohol or not. A Fulton County driver can be charged with DUI simply for taking an over the counter cold medicine or one's lawfully prescribed medications. Scary but true. It is at the discretion of the Fulton County law enforcement officer as to whether he deems you have been a less safe or unsafe driver due to drugs, alcohol or a combination.

Georgia DUI laws are harsh. If you want the best chance of winning your case, consulting with a Fulton DUI lawyer early is the best bet. Call our Fulton Co. GA DUI office today.

"My DUI Arrest Saved My Life"

Richard S. Lawson — Mon, 30 Apr 2012 03:26:00 GMT

Typically, a Fulton County DUI arrest is a devestating experience. DUI is often a person's first and only experience with being arrested and taken to jail For extra fun, someone's Fulton County jail mughot can linger on in cyberspace indefinitely. What is the good news about DUI? It is expensive and embarrassing. That is why I was surprised when I saw that a member of the popular music group Black Eyed Peas feels that his DUI arrest and charge actually saved his life. Singer Jaime Luis Gomez, better known as Taboo, was arrested for DUI in 2007 following a minor car accident in CA. He was arrested for DUI - drugs and recalls being in a dark place of alcohol and drug abuse at the time. The DUI arrest was his wake up call and he realized he needed to kick his substance abuse and become a better father. That is certainly the way to make the best of a DUI. Unfortunately, not everyone works in the entertainment industry that is liberal about alcohol and drug convictions. Sometimes, one's career can be adversely affected by a DUI or drug offense and your license can become lost.

If you or a friend or family member need the help of a Fulton County DUI lawyer, do not hesitate to call the Law Offices of Richard Lawson today.

Plea Bargaining vs. Trial in Fulton County DUI Cases

Richard S. Lawson — Sun, 29 Apr 2012 16:22:00 GMT

Of course, the number one goal our Fulton Co. GA DUI lawyers work for in a DUI case is to get the case dropped, dismissed or reduced. However, in many cases, the prosecuting attorneys on behalf of Fulton County are unwilling to dismiss the DUI charges. The options than become negotiating a DUI plea bargain or contesting the case with Motions and a Trial by judge or jury. The risk of contesting the case by going to trial is that if you were to lose at trial, the Fulton County judge can sentence you to up to a year in jail for even a first DUI offense. Typically, this would not happen - but a DUI defendant facing a Fulton Co. trial needs to be braced to serve at least a few days jail if there were to lose. This is why you should not brave these decisions alone. If you are wanting to contest your Fulton County DUI charges, you should contact our Fulton DUI law firm to discuss your options, what you are facing, and what you can do to win your trial and get the best possible outcome.