Henry County DUI Attorney

If you or a loved one have been charged with DUI in Henry County, you need to hire experienced representation now. DUI charges are serious, and the penalties can have drastic effects on your life. Our Henry County DUI Lawyers have been exclusively practicing DUI law for over 25 years. Our experience is unmatched, and it is exactly what you need to reach a favorable outcome in your case. Call us now for a free case evaluation.

Henry County Drug Court

Henry County has developed its own DUI and Drug Court to enhance public safety and to promote healthier lifestyles for repeat alcohol or drug offenders. The Court combines increased supervision and accountability with intensive treatment with the goal of reducing recidivism. Ultimately, the program was designed the give participants the necessary tools and support needed to modify their lifestyles to become productive, sober, and law-abiding citizens.

Entering into Henry County's DUI/Drug Court is not a decision to be taken lightly. The program requires a lot from the participants, and just one mistake can have a participant removed from the program to spend the rest of their time in jail, or have to face significant sanctions.

The program requires weekly probation reporting, random and routine drug screenings, and weekly court appearances. There may also be restrictions such as curfew hours, therapy, and community service. The DUI/Drug Court team consists of the judge, case manager, solicitor, coordinator, probation officer, and other members.

If you are considering entering into the Henry County DUI/Drug Court, call our Henry County DUI Lawyers first. We want to make sure you have all the facts so you can make an informed decision.

Courtroom Conduct Rules

When attending court in Henry County, it is critical to make a good impression. Judges, juries, and prosecutors will make assumptions based on how you conduct yourself and dress. Whether or not you believe this is right, it is important to make sure you are giving off the right impression. Some tips our Henry County DUI Lawyers 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 DUI Lawyers in Henry County. 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. For more information about court rules, please visit our page here.

Field Sobriety Tests

Field sobriety testing has been around since law enforcement first started enforcing DUI laws. In the beginning, the tests ranged from officer to officer. Essentially, officers could use whatever techniques they wanted to try and gauge a person's impairment. In the late 1970s, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) regulated the tests and designed a three-part test. It includes the one-leg stand, the walk-and-turn, and the horizontal gaze nystagmus test. These tests became the standard in determining whether the driver was under the influence of alcohol or drugs. While most officers use these tests, they sometimes utilize other methods such as reciting the alphabet backward.

Types of Tests:

Standard methods of testing to see if a driver is impaired include field sobriety tests. These three steps each have their own advantages and disadvantages. However, they all share the same difficulty of relying on basic physical abilities that not all people possess.

One-Leg Stand: This test is self-explanatory, but an officer will request the driver to stand on one leg. The officer is looking to see if the driver has a difficult time balancing. However, this test may give inaccurate results if the person has poor vision, is wearing high heel shoes, or if they are overweight.

Walk-and-Turn: If an officer uses the walk-and-turn test, they will request the driver to take 10 steps, turn, and then repeat the same 10 steps back. The steps must be taken heel to toe. The officer will observe whether the driver can follow directions and can perform the requested actions. Similarly to the one-leg stand, there are factors beside drinking that can make this test difficult.

Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus- The HGN test is the most widely accepted and scientifically approved. This test involves the driver trying to follow an object, such as a pen, while the officer watches. The officer is looking for signs of intoxication, including whether the driver is able to follow the pen. There are some medical conditions and prescription drugs that can affect this test.

Henry County Superior Court

Henry County Superior Court has exclusive jurisdiction over felony DUI cases. The Superior Court is located at 1 Courthouse Square, McDonough, GA 30252, and the phone number is 770-288-8022.

Henry County State Court

Henry County State Court handles cases that involve charges occurring in the unincorporated parts of Henry County. Additionally, if a person requests a jury trial in one of the municipal courts, the case will be bound over to Henry County State Court. The Court is located at 44 John Frank Ward Boulevard, McDonough, GA 30253, and the phone number is 770-288-7800.

Hampton Municipal Court

Hampton Municipal Court handles cases that involve traffic violations, city ordinance violations, and other misdemeanors, such as DUI and shoplifting, that occur within the Hampton city limits. The Court is located at the Hampton Police Department at 4 McDonough Street, Hampton, Ga 30228.

Locust Grove Municipal Court

Locust Grove Municipal Court handles cases that involve traffic violations, city ordinance violations, and other misdemeanors, such as DUI and shoplifting, that occur within the city limits of Locust Grove. The Court is located in the Locust Grove Public Safety Building at 3640 Hwy 42, Locust Grove, GA, 30248, and the Court can be reached at 770-957-7055.

McDonough Municipal Court

McDonough Municipal Court handles cases that involve traffic violations, city ordinance violations, and other misdemeanors, such as DUI and shoplifting, that occur within McDonough city limits. The Court is located at 40 Lawrenceville Street, McDonough, Ga 30523, and the phone number is 770-954-2872.

Stockbridge Municipal Court

The Municipal Court of Stockbridge handles cases that involve traffic violations, city ordinance violations, and other misdemeanors, such as DUI and shoplifting, that occur within the city limits of Stockbridge. The Court is located at 4502 N. Henry Blvd, Stockbridge, GA 30281, the phone number is 770-389-7906.

Contact Us

At the Law Offices of Richard S. Lawson, we take every case seriously! We believe and trust our clients and desire for you to fully trust us with your case. Our DUI Lawyers in Henry County will work tirelessly to successfully resolve your case by thorough investigation and professional care. We return client phone calls and emails as quickly as possible because you deserve to have your questions answered. You have nothing to lose and everything to gain by choosing the best Henry County DUI Attorneys. Call us now for a free case evaluation.