Charged? Talk to an Atlanta DUI lawyer!

In Georgia, you can be charged with child endangerment and DUI if you were found to be driving a vehicle while being under the influence of alcohol or drugs. A child is considered any individual the age of 14 or younger, according to state laws. While DUI is already heavily penalized, when a child is involved and endangered, the consequences become even more severe. If you have been accused, you must retain legal help right away to ensure the best possible defense is crafted.

The Law Offices of Richard S. Lawson can help preserve your reputation and your rights. Call now to get us working on your DUI case!

Understanding the Basis of Your Charges

In a past study, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) found that motor vehicle accidents were one of the most prominent causes of death for children under the age of 14, and about 14% were the result of DUI's.

We understand that child abuse and endangerment are serious crimes. Convicting innocent people of crimes that they did not commit is also wrong. That is why we are dedicated to helping people stand up for their legal rights in court and fight their DUI and child endangerment charges. If you have been arrested, don't give up; talk to an Atlanta DUI attorney from our firm today to see what we can do for your case.

What is considered child endangerment?

Child endangerment and DUI are two separate charges, both carrying serious repercussions for a conviction. Child endangerment, in addition to a DUI charge, will result in increased penalties, making it a much more serious charge than simple DUI. Crimes that endanger the lives of others are thought to be the most offensive, according to the laws. This means that law enforcement will seek harsh consequences for those accused of committing crimes that involve both impaired driving and child endangerment.

What exactly is child endangerment? Here are some examples:

• Forgetting to fasten a child's seat belt
• Neglecting to use a car seat when necessary
• Failing to provide adequate and reasonable care due to impairment
• Putting the child's life at risk due to dangerous driving

Impairment can prevent a person from reaction quickly enough to an emergency. If an accident were to happen due to slowed reaction time, this can have catastrophic consequences for the child. Because of this, the court considers driving under the influence with a child in the car a special, much more serious offense.

Penalties for DUI & Child Endangerment Charges

In Georgia, the first and second child endangerment convictions will be counted as misdemeanors, and a third is considered a felony.

You could face the following penalties for child endangerment:

• 1 ^st offense : 12 months in jail, $1000 fine
• 2 ^nd offense : 12 months in jail, fines costing between $1000 to $5000
• 3 ^rd offense : Up to 5 years imprisonment and a $10, 000 fine

Under Georgia law, this offense can never be combined with impaired driving; they must be charged separately for the purposes of prosecuting and sentencing. This means you will also be facing more potential jail time, fines, probation, and a license suspension for your DUI charge as well.

No matter how complicated your situation may seem, know that your charges are defendable. Call our Atlanta DUI attorneys today so that we can being working on your defense.

Let Our Team Defend Your Name

Whether this is your first DUI or you have multiple offenses on your record, we can help you determine the best possible defense or strategy for your case. At the firm, we have over 20 years of experience exclusively handling DUI cases. We are serious about helping people get the legal assistance they need in times like these, settling more than 4,900 DUI cases over the years.

Feel like the evidence is stacked against you? Don't give up! Call a DUI attorney from The Law Offices of Richard S. Lawson today to get enthusiastic and aggressive defense.