Bartow DUI Lawyer

If you or a loved one has been charged with DUI, contact our DUI Attorneys in Bartow. We have over 25 years of experience and have represented over 5,000 clients. Let us put our experience to work for you and your case. We will make sure your rights, freedom, and future are protected! Call now.

Bartow County DUI Process

Our Bartow County DUI Lawyers will appear on your behalf at your initial court appearance, also known as the arraignment. Your presence will be waived, and we will file paperwork with the court advising them that you are now represented, and all legal paperwork should go through our office.

After the arraignment, your case will go to pretrial, where negotiations over a plea agreement take place.  After we have had a chance to sit down and discuss any potential plea deal with you, you will need to decide, with our advice, whether to take the agreement or continue to fight the charges.

First DUI Penalties for Bartow County:

• 12 months of probation
• Ten days in jail (9 may be suspended)
• loss of driving privilege in Georgia
• at least 40 hours of community service
• alcohol and drug counseling
• DUI school
• fines of $1000 per ticket, plus court costs and surcharges
• a criminal record showing a DUI

Second DUI Penalties:

• 90-365 days in jail (with a minimum 72 hours)
• 240 hours of community service
• license suspension
• an ignition interlock device
• 17 weeks of mandatory counseling
• publication of your photo in the local newspaper
• fines up to $1000, plus court costs and surcharges

Third DUI Penalties:

• 120-365 days in jail (you will not get two for one credit because this is a high and aggravated misdemeanor
• 240 hours of community service
• license suspension for up to 5 years
• an ignition interlock device
• 17 weeks of mandatory counseling
• publication of your photo in the local newspaper
• fines, plus court costs and surcharges
• you will be registered as a Habitual Violator

If you choose to fight the DUI charges at trial, you may choose to have a jury trial or a bench trial.  A jury trial on a misdemeanor DUI case in Georgia is conducted in front of a six-person jury.  A felony has a jury panel of 12 people.  A bench trial is a trial without a jury, in front of a judge.

There are tactical reasons a good Bartow County DUI Attorney will understand for choosing a bench trial over a jury trial or vice versa.  Our DUI Lawyers in Bartow County are familiar with the judges in Bartow County and will be able to advise you as to the potential outcomes in your case.

Courtroom Conduct Tips

When attending court in Bartow County, it is critical to make a good impression. Judges, juries, and prosecutors will make assumptions based on how you conduct yourself and dress. Whatever or not you believe this is right, it is important to make sure you are giving off the right impression. Some tips we give our clients before a court appearance include:

• Be on time
• Dress appropriately. For women, wear modest clothing. For men, a collared shirt that is tucked in with a belt is advised.
• Always refer to the judge as “Your Honor”
• Be polite to the judge, opposing counsel, and court staff
• Make eye contact when someone is speaking to you
• Be prepared and organized

Things you should not do when appearing in Court:

• Do not chew gum
• Do not wear sunglasses, hats, or other head coverings
• Do not wear revealing clothing
• Do not bring any prohibited item into the courtroom, such as weapons
• Do not use your phone at any time.
• Do not wear shorts
• Do not wear open-toe shoes

If you have any questions on how you should act or what you should wear for court, feel free to contact our office. The rules of court conduct differ from county to county, so it is important to review their regulations before your court date. Dressing appropriately and being prepared can never hurt your case. Following the listed rules is the first step in defending your case.

Bartow County Superior Court

Bartow County Superior Court is in the Cherokee Judicial Circuit that consists of both Bartow and Gordon Counties. The Superior Court has exclusive jurisdiction over all felony DUI cases. Additionally, if your case begins in Gordon County Probate Court or one of the municipal courts, and you request a jury trial, your case will be bound over to Gordon County Superior Court. The Honorable Judge David Smith and Judge Suzanne Smith preside over the Cherokee Judicial Circuit. The Courthouse is located at 135 W Cherokee Ave, Suite 233, Cartersville, GA 30120. For more information, call 706-629-7763.

Bartow County Probate Court

Bartow County Probate Court handles traffic violations and DUI charges that originate outside of Adairsville, Cartersville, Emerson, Euharlee, Kingston, and White and in unincorporated parts of the county. The Honorable Judge Barry B. Greene presides over the Court. The Courthouse is located at 135 W. Cherokee Ave, Suite 243 A, Cartersville, GA 30120, and can be reached at 770-387-5075.

Adairsville Municipal Court

Adairsville Municipal Court handles cases involving misdemeanor traffic violations, city ordinance violations, and other misdemeanors, including DUI and shoplifting, that occur within Adairsville city limits. The Court is located at 116 Public Square, Adairsville, GA 30103, and can be reached at 770-773-3451 ext 102.

Cartersville GA Municipal Court

The city of Cartersville Municipal Court has jurisdiction over cases involving misdemeanor traffic violations, city ordinance violations, and other misdemeanors, such as DUI, shoplifting, and possession of marijuana, that occur within Cartersville city limits. Dorothy Carson is the Municipal Court Clerk, and she can be reached at 770-607-6307. Court is held at 178 West Main Street, Cartersville, GA, 30120. For more information, call 770-607-6307.

Emerson Municipal Court

Emerson Municipal Court handles cases involving misdemeanor traffic violations, city ordinance violations, and other misdemeanors, including DUI and shoplifting, that occur within Emerson city limits. The Court is located at 700 Highway 293, Emerson, GA 30137, and can be reached at 770-386-8366.

Euharlee Municipal Court

If you have been arrested for DUI within Euharlee city limits, your case will proceed to Euharlee Municipal Court. Laura Cantrell is the Municipal court clerk, and she can be reached at 770-386-1542, ext 2009. The Court is located at 30 Burge's Mill Road, Euharlee, GA 30145.

Kingston Municipal Court

Kingston Municipal Court has jurisdiction over cases involving misdemeanor traffic violations, city ordinance violations, and other misdemeanors, such as DUI and shoplifting, that occur within Kingston city limits. Court is held on the 3rd Wednesday of the month at 4:00 p.m. in City Hall located at 30 W. Main Street, Kingston, GA 30145. Kelly Ensley is the Court clerk, and she can be reached at 770-336-5905. 

White GA Municipal Court

If you have been arrested for DUI in White GA, your case will proceed in White GA Municipal Court. The Honorable Harry B. White presides over the Court. Court is located at 29 West Rocky Street, White, GA 30184, and can be reached at 770-382-5466.

Contact Us Today

If you have been charged with DUI anywhere in Bartow County, contact us now. With over 25 years of experience, our DUI Lawyers in Bartow County know what it takes to reach a successful outcome in your case. We are here 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to answer your call. Call now for a free case evaluation.