Suwanee DUI Attorney

At The Law Offices of Richard S. Lawson, our DUI Lawyers in Suwanee have a great deal of experience representing those charged with DUI. We hold the qualifications, expertise, and knowledge to give you the effective and aggressive DUI defense you need. We have been handling DUI cases for the past 25 years and have represented thousands of people. Our Suwanee DUI Lawyers understand what it takes to be successful and know how to build robust defenses that help obtain a favorable outcome for your case.Furthermore, our founder, Richard S. Lawson, worked as a prosecutor before opening up his own firm. This experience gives us the advantage because we know how the other side thinks. Call now for a free no-obligation case evaluation.

Suwanee DUI Defenses

When someone is charged with DUI, they are absolutely entitled to put forward a defense. Sometimes clients think there is nothing that can be done to help their case, but that could not be further from the truth. There is always a defense to be presented. The right to defend yourself is a fundamental constitutional principle that has its roots in the Due Process Clause, the Confrontation Clause, and other areas of the Bill of Rights. You have rights before, during, and after the arrest. Whether or not you were DUI, if your rights were violated during the arrest process, you could find your case dismissed or the charges reduced. However, this is almost impossible without an experienced Suwanee DUI Lawyer.

There are numerous DUI defenses that your DUI Attorney in Suwannee can use to bolster your case. Officers are required to follow laws throughout the process, including the reason for the initial stop. Many clients charged with DUI are also charged with traffic offenses such as:

• Following too closely
• Crossing the median
• Speeding
• Failure to maintain lane
• Headlight or taillight violations

However, if the traffic stop was not appropriately started, then all evidence collected as a result of that traffic stop can be kept out of Court. This could result in a dismissal of the charges against you.

In addition to traffic stop defenses, there are constitutional defenses that we can use to support your case. Some constitutional violations we frequently defend against include:

• Unlawful search and seizures of your car or person
• Illegal DUI checkpoint
• Failure to read rights

Furthermore, our DUI Lawyers in Suwanee are skilled in challenging the Breathalyzer results, results from field sobriety tests, and blood/breath tests. We understand the complexities involved in these tests and know how to properly defend against them. Our Suwanee DUI Lawyers have decades of experience that give us the upper hand when fighting DUI charges. Let our  experience work for your benefit today!

Consequences Of A DUI Conviction in Suwanee

Many people are unaware of the non-judicial penalties a DUI conviction can incur. Fines and jail time are typical punishments, but the consequences of DUI conviction extend far beyond that. Some of the non-judicial costs of a DUI include:

Travel: Some countries, including Canada, will not allow people who have been convicted of a DUI to enter. This may sound extreme, but we have seen this happen even to those charged with a DUI. Canada has full access to United States criminal records and will run a background check on you. When a DUI charge or conviction is revealed, you will either not be let in or will be forced to return to the US if it is discovered after. This is a significant problem for those who travel to Canada for business because there is not a business exemption. However, you will not be allowed in for vacation or fishing either. Canada is not the only country with this rule, so having a DUI conviction on your record can make travel difficult.

School: If you receive an underage DUI and are applying for college, most universities take a serious look at criminal records. You may be denied admission because of that charge. In other cases, scholarship or grant eligibility may be greatly diminished, and existing scholarships can be taken away for DUI convictions. If you were over 21 and are thinking of going back to school, a DUI conviction can still have an impact. It can make it difficult to be accepted or to obtain scholarships.

Employment: Even though DUI charges are relatively common, that does mean employers have thoroughly accepted them. Most employers run background checks on employees. If you are in the transportation industry, a DUI conviction is generally a serious matter. We have seen people lose their jobs because of a DUI conviction. This does not just apply to drivers with CDL licenses either. It applies to people who have company cars, pizza delivery drivers, bus drivers, and it does not matter if the DUI was received off the job.

Furthermore, if you have a job that requires you to drive, a license suspension could still cost you your job. Some DUI charges or convictions come with a license suspension (even as little as 30 days). Not having a license could prevent you from doing your job and possibly result in termination.

Ignition Interlock Device: You can install an ignition interlock device on your vehicle to avoid the automatic suspension of your license. However, after a second DUI conviction, the ignition interlock device is mandatory. The device typically costs $150 upfront plus a $75.00 a month in addition to any maintenance expenses. It is important to weigh these costs when trying to decide between installing the device or filing for an ALS hearing.

Incidental Expenses: Other than the court fines and surcharges, there are additional expenses that can quickly add up. For example if convicted of DUI, or participating in a diversion program, a judge may require that you participate in a drug and alcohol risk reduction course. These courts cost $355.00. If you receive probation, you will be required to pay a monthly monitoring fee and pay for random urine or blood tests. If your license is suspended, you will have to pay a reinstatement fee. There are numerous expenses other than court costs that can make a DUI expensive.

Car Rental: Most car rental companies run driver's license checks on prospective customers in an effort to minimize their losses. If you have a DUI or multiple traffic violations on your driving record, it can make it difficult to rent a vehicle.

Car Insurance: A DUI on your driving record could double or triple your insurance premiums. Some insurance companies will drop you as customers and refuse to insure you if you have a DUI or multiple other traffic violations. This will force your insurance to become very expensive, but also force you to choose lesser insurance companies to insure you.

Suwanee Municipal Court

Suwanee Municipal Court hears cases involving traffic offenses and violations of city ordinances that occur within the city limits of Suwanee. They also handle Georgia State Patrol traffic offenses that occur within city limits. The Court is located at 323 Buford Highway, Suwanee, GA 30024 and the Court can be reached at 770-945-6962.

Contact Us Today

Our office is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to answer your call. Our DUI Attorneys in Suwanee understand that being arrested for DUI can be frightening and overwhelming. Let us take some of the stress off of you. We have 25 years of experience defending those charged with DUI, and have used this experience to obtain excellent results for our clients. The penalties can be harsh and don't want this to follow you for the rest of your life. Call one of our Suwanee DUI Lawyers today for a free case evaluation.