Putnam County DUI Lawyer

If you have been charged with DUI in Putnam County, you need to hire experienced representation as soon as possible. At The Law Offices of Richard S. Lawson, our team of DUI Attorneys in Putnam County have the expertise you need to avoid having a DUI charge impact the rest of your life. Call now for a free case evaluation.

30-Day Warning

If you were arrested for DUI in Putnam County, you ONLY have thirty days to request an Administrative License Suspension (ALS) Hearing or request an ignition interlock device to be installed on your vehicle.  The State of Georgia requires a fee of $150 to file the request.  If the request is not made or is not completed within the thirty (30) days, your license will be suspended.  If you have been accused of refusing the State's testing of your breath, blood or urine, you will experience a 12-month suspension with no permit to drive.  

Putnam County DUI Penalties 

Georgia law contains provisions detailing the legal process and possible penalties for DUI. While there is some variation among courts as to their penalties, Georgia courts take DUI convictions very seriously and hand down harsh punishments against offenders.

Some of the consequences that may be brought against people who are found to be guilty of DUI include:

• Fines – The amount varies, but it is not uncommon for fines and fees to be thousands of dollars.
• Time in jail – In addition to any time you spent in jail when you were first arrested for DUI, people are commonly jailed after a DUI conviction. Community service and probation are also common.
• Loss of driving privilege – The State of Georgia will suspend the driver's license of any driver convicted of a DUI.
• Installation of Ignition Interlock Device – To get their license back after a driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, drivers may have to install such a device to prevent their vehicle from starting if they have consumed alcohol.
• Substance abuse counseling/treatment – Convicted persons may have to attend classes or programs directed toward preventing abuse of alcohol or other drugs.

The harshness of DUI punishments is widely gauged by whether a person has prior offenses or convictions. For example, an individual who is just above the “legal limit” who is arrested for the very first time is likely to be charged with a misdemeanor crime and avoid any significant time in jail. However, a serious or repeat offender may face felony charges and sentenced to time in prison.

Aggravating circumstances can come into play with the punishments given by the court. For example, a person is charged with separate counts of DUI for each child in the car under the age of 14 while intoxicated. Our Putnam County DUI Attorneys have handled many cases of multiple DUI charges of child endangerment and can give you expert legal advice.

The possible consequences of a DUI go far beyond what the State of Georgia can impose. Depending on a person's job, it is possible for their employment to be terminated. Those with Commercial Driver's Licenses (CDL) almost always lose their jobs due to the nature of their profession. People working in professions such as doctors, nurses, airline pilots, or other organizations that value a workforce with high character are also at risk of losing employment. Contact today to speak with a Putnam County DUI Lawyer if you hold a CDL and are in danger of losing your job. 

Losing your driving privilege can have a significant impact on your life, making it difficult to meet household obligations. Even when your driver's license is finally reinstated, auto insurance premiums can skyrocket in the aftermath of a DUI conviction.

A DUI conviction stays on your record forever, and unfortunately, it can feel like the personal, financial, and professional consequences of a DUI conviction lasts just as long. Choosing an experienced Putnam County DUI Attorney can help lessen the effects of a DUI conviction, but you won't know until you make that call! 

Putnam County Superior Court

If you have been charged with felony DUI, your case will proceed in Putnam County Superior Court. Moreover, if your case originated in Probate or Municipal Court, and you request a jury trial, your case will be transferred to Superior Court. Putnam County is part of the Ocmulgee Judicial Circuit. Mr. Trevor Addison is the Clerk of Putnam County Superior Court. The Court is located at 100 S. Jefferson Avenue, Eatonton, GA 31024. For more information, call 706-485-7549.

Putnam County Probate Court

Putnam County Probate Court has jurisdiction over all DUI cases that arise outside of Eatonton city limits. Ms. Brandy Turk presides as Judge over the Court. The Court is located at 100 S. Jefferson Avenue, Eatonton, GA 31024. For more information, call 706-485-5476.

Eatonton Municipal Court

Eatonton GA Municipal Court has jurisdiction over city ordinance violations, traffic offenses, and other misdemeanors, including DUI and shoplifting, that occur within Eatonton city limits. Court is held at 1:00 p.m. at the Putnam County Courthouse located at 100 S. Jefferson Avenue, Eatonton, GA 31024.

Contact Our DUI Attorneys in Putnam County

A DUI charge should not be taken lightly. Trying to defend the case on your own can be detrimental to your future. Even though a first time DUI conviction will be considered a misdemeanor conviction, it will still have a significant impact on your future. Call our friendly and knowledgeable Putnam County DUI Lawyers today to get started on defending your case and get back to living your life!