Blue Ridge DUI Lawyer

Have you been charged with DUI in Blue Ridge GA? Your first step should be to call an experienced DUI Lawyer in Blue Ridge. Our founder, Richard S. Lawson, is a former North Georgia prosecutor who decided to open his own firm defending those charged with DUI. Richard brings invaluable experience to our team since he knows how to prosecution thinks! His knowledge, combined with our 25 years of DUI defense experience, makes our firm your best choice when charged with DUI! Contact us now for a free case evaluation.

How Much Does a First DUI Cost?

When we speak with clients, one of the first questions they ask is how much will this cost me? Most DUI charges are misdemeanors, and under Georgia law, the fines can be up to $1,000 and jail time up to 1 year. However, most people are generally charged with additional offenses when charged with DUI. For example, people could be charged with failure to maintain lane and DUI. Therefore, they would have a fine of up to $1,000 for the DUI and a fine for the failure to maintain lane. There are also court fees that are not included. Furthermore, you may be ordered to complete defensive driving, attend probation, or install an ignition interlock device on your vehicle. All of these are additional costs when convicted of DUI.

One of the most important things to remember is that the financial cost of a DUI is not limited to the court costs. There are additional costs such as whether it affects your employment, the increase of your insurance premiums, or whether it affects student loans if you are in college. Being convicted of a DUI means that it will appear on your criminal record. When you apply for jobs, some companies do not look fondly on DUI charges. Furthermore, if you drive as part of your job, you could be terminated based on a DUI conviction. Car rental companies will not rent to DUI drivers, which could make your job difficult if you travel frequently.

Another cost of a DUI charge is the cost of hiring a lawyer. We understand that it can be expensive to defend a DUI charge and you may be tempted to handle it yourself and save the money. We urge you not to do this and to just give us a call for a free case evaluation! While it may seem cheaper to represent yourself, you could end up paying thousands more in the future because you were not aware how to defend your case. You may end up pleading guilty to DUI when your Blue Ridge DUI Attorney could have gotten the DUI charge reduced or dismissed. Furthermore, if you do decide to hire a lawyer, make sure to hire someone who has extensive experience with defending DUI charges. General practitioners who practice all kinds of law are not aware of the nuances in DUI law. Make sure to hire someone who handles DUI case daily. At the Law Offices of Richard S. Lawson, we have dedicated our practice to defending people charged with DUI and have represented over 5,000 clients and counting. 

People may not realize just how serious the financial consequences of an arrest for a 1st-time offense can be for a person. It's more than just paying a court fine: there are also the many disadvantages that a conviction entails, from a suspension of your license, a criminal record, to inconveniences if the person wishes to travel outside the country. If you are concerned about the penalties for a DUI conviction, call our DUI Lawyers in Blue Ridge today for a free case evaluation. We understand the costs you are facing and know how to help you avoid these penalties. Call us now.

Even a First DUI Conviction Will Remain on Your Criminal Record

This criminal offense on someone's criminal record, may severely affect that person's ability to be hired by a future employer if the employer runs a pre-employment background check and finds the details of the drunk or drugged driving charge in the person's history. For example, it is very difficult to be employed as a police officer, firefighter, government employee, teacher, nurse, and many other professional jobs with a DUI on your record.

In addition to the legal penalties of the DUI conviction, even a first offense on a criminal record can result in being denied entry into certain countries or being red flagged at immigration if traveling. This happens because some countries, such as Canada, will not allow people with criminal records to enter, including a DUI conviction.

Although a person can hire a Blue Ridge DUI Lawyer at any time before the required first appearance court date, it is important to hire an experienced DUI lawyer as soon as possible after the arrest. Once a person's arrest details can be examined in enough time, there will likely be more time to explore potential defenses available of how to beat a first offense case. This can include scheduling future court dates to assert your right to a speedy trial. If you have been charged with a 1st drunk driving offense, you will need the help of a Blue Ridge DUI Attorney to explore all possibilities for ways how to challenge the case at your local court.

Blue Ridge Municipal Court

Blue Ridge Municipal Court handles traffic violations, city ordinance violations, and other misdemeanors, including DUI and shoplifting, that occur within Blue Ridge city limits. Court is held on the second Monday of each month at Blue Ridge city hall located at 480 West First Street, Blue Ridge, GA 30513. For more information, contact the Clerk of Court at 706-632-2091.

Contact Our DUI Attorneys in Blue Ridge Today

Please don't wait in taking action when you have been charged with DUI. Any delay can affect both the total cost and chances of winning the case in court. Call our Blue Ridge DUI Lawyers today for a free case evaluation and see how we can protect your rights, freedom, and future.