Hart County GA DUI Lawyer

At The Law Offices of Richard Lawson, we are dedicated to DUI defense. A DUI in Hart County can have serious repercussions and it is critical that you understand your rights and the penalties you are facing. Our DUI Attorneys in Hart County GA will walk you through the entire process and start building your defense as soon as you contact us. Call now!

30-Day Warning

It is imperative to understand that a DUI arrest triggers two separate cases; the first is with the Georgia Department of Driver Services (DDS), and the second is your criminal DUI case. Because of this fact, there are things you need to do to protect your rights in both your DDS case and criminal DUI case. Within thirty days of your arrest, you or your Hart County GA DUI Lawyer must submit a written request for an Administrative License Suspension (ALS) hearing regarding the suspension of your Georgia driver's license. Alternatively, your Attorney can request an ignition interlock device to be installed on your vehicle. The hearing request costs $150 to file. Failure to file the request will result in an automatic license suspension. Therefore, it is critical to immediately contact a Hart County Georgia DUI Attorney and determine whether an ALS hearing or the interlock device is the best option for your case. 

Georgia DUI Laws                                                                     

Many times, people are arrested for DUI but do not understand the law or how it is applied. If a driver's blood-alcohol content (BAC) exceeds a certain limit, it is assumed that the person is unable to operate a motor vehicle safely. If you are dealing with DUI charges, our DUI Lawyers in Hart County with the Law Office of Richard Lawson will protect her rights and make sure you are aware of every legal option that will benefit your case.

According to Georgia law, it is illegal for a person to operate a motor vehicle if he or she is under the influence of alcohol or drugs. The illegal BAC limit varies for different drivers depending on age and whether they have a commercial driver's license or CDL.

• Drivers under 21 years of age may not legally drive if their BAC is .02 or more
• Commercial drivers may not legally operate a vehicle with a BAC of .04 or more
• Drivers over the age of 21 may not legally drive with a BAC of .08 or more 

Penalties for Georgia DUI Convictions

Being convicted of violating Georgia DUI laws can have a severe impact on an individual's life. The conviction will remain on their criminal and driving records. The driver's BAC level, whether there was an accident with injuries, or prior convictions, are all considered during sentencing. Some typical Georgia DUI penalties include:

• Up to 10 days in jail, 12 months' probation, 40 hours of community service, license suspension, mandatory alcohol/drug treatment, and DUI School for a first misdemeanor DUI offense
• Up to 12 months in jail, up to 36 months' probation, 240 hours' community service, fine of up to $1000, DUI School, ignition interlock device, mandatory alcohol/drug treatment, photo published in local newspaper
• Up to 12 months in jail, fine up to $5000 fine, 240 hours community service, 5-year license suspension, surrender license plate, mandatory alcohol/drug treatment, publication of photo in local newspaper, and Habitual Violator status
• Up to 5 years in jail, up to $5000 fine, license suspension, 10-year license suspension (possible ignition interlock device after two years), 480 hours' community service, surrender of license plate, mandatory alcohol/drug treatment, publication of photo in local newspaper, convicted felon status for life

How Much Does a DUI Lawyer Cost?

When choosing a Hart Georgia DUI Lawyer, you should feel at ease in the approach to your defense, and he or she is experienced and qualified to defend your case. The fees of our Hart County GA DUI Attorneys depend on your charges, unique details of your case, and defenses available to you. Any attorney who quotes you an unusually low fee for legal representation may not be qualified to handle your Hart County DUI case and could be quoting you a small price with the intent to resolve your case quickly through a plea agreement. That can have a significant impact on your driver's license, as well as your career. We are happy to discuss our fees with you during your free consultation, and payment plans are available for those who qualify. 

Hart County GA Superior Court

Hart County Superior Court has jurisdiction over all felony DUI charges that arise in Hart County. Hart County Superior Court is part of the Northern Judicial Circuit along with Elbert, Madison, Franklin, and Oglethorpe County. Mr. Frankie Gray is the Clerk of Court, and can be reached at 706-376-7189. Court is located at 185 W. Franklin Street, Hartwell, GA 30643.

Hart County GA Probate Court

Hart County Probate Court has jurisdiction over DUI charges that occur in an unincorporated part of Hart County. Probate Court is located at 185 West Franklin Street, Hartwell, GA 30643. For more information, call 706-376-2565.

Hartwell Municipal Court

Hartwell Municipal Court has jurisdiction over city ordinance violations, traffic offenses, and other misdemeanors, including DUI and shoplifting, that occur with Hartwell city limits. The Court is located at 500 East Howell Street, Hartwell, GA 30643. For more information, call 706-376-4756.

Contact Our DUI Attorneys in Hart County Today

If you have arrested for DUI anywhere in Hart County and are worried about next steps, contact our Hart County DUI Lawyers today. We hare waiting to take your call and discuss your options with you. There is no time to lose when charged with DUI. Call us today for a free case evaluation.