Cobb County DUI Attorney

Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs is a serious offense in Georgia. The defense of these cases can be challenging and should be handled by a highly experienced Cobb County DUI Lawyer. At The Law Offices of Richard S. Lawson, we have the knowledge and experience required to fight your DUI charge.

Under Georgia law, DUIs are usually charged as misdemeanors. However, the consequences of being convicted of a DUI in Cobb County GA are severe and long-lasting. The penalties can impact not only your personal life but also your professional life along with finances. That is just one of the numerous reasons you need an experienced Cobb County DUI Attorney defending your rights.

Being convicted of DUI alcohol or drugs in Cobb County has the following serious consequences:

• Jail time
• Suspension of driving privileges
• DUI school
• Probation
• Community service
• Fines
• Victim Impact Panels
• Alcohol and drug counseling
• Risk Reduction School

Someone accused of a second DUI faces enhanced penalties, including more lengthy jail terms, higher fines, installation of an ignition interlock device, and more hours of community service. For a third or subsequent DUI, the driver will be charged with felony DUI and can result in a loss of driving privileges for years.

Types of DUI Charges in Cobb County

There are several ways a person can be charged with DUI in Cobb County. The actual charge brought against you depends on different factors, including your blood alcohol concentration (BAC) at the time of the arrest, the number of prior DUI offenses you have, whether the alleged DUI resulted in a crash, and the underlying charge. Some DUI charges include:

First DUI: As stated previously, a first DUI is usually charged as a misdemeanor. However, the penalties can last long after the case is over, and it is critical to hire a Cobb County DUI Attorney.

Felony DUI: Felony DUI charges can result from a fourth Georgia DUI within 10 years. The maximum penalty of a fourth DUI is 5 years in jail and a $5,000 fine plus court charges. Additionally, the offender may have their license revoked for five years.

DUI Drugs: DUI drug charges in Cobb County require specialized knowledge because it can be difficult to prove impairment by drug use. Additionally, prescription drug charges can be especially challenging. However, our Cobb County DUI Lawyers have been handling DUI drug cases for decades and have the expertise you need to obtain a favorable outcome.

Under 21 DUI in Georgia: The BAC for people under 21 years is .02. The consequences of DUI for someone under 21 years of age are severe. These cases need special attention, and hiring a DUI Attorney in Cobb County is essential.

DUI Child Endangerment: A person can be charged with DUI child endangerment if they were arrested for DUI while a child under the age of 14 was a passenger in the vehicle. The driver will be charged with one count of child endangerment for each child under the age of 14.

Serious Injury by Vehicle: In Cobb County, a person can be charged with serious injury by vehicle if they caused another person bodily harm while DUI or by driving recklessly.

DUI Out of State Driver: Even if you don't live in Cobb County or even Georgia, you must take your arrest very seriously. A DUI arrest in Georgia can cause you to lose your license to drive in your home state. The same penalties will apply as if you were an in-state resident.

30 Day Letter

If you have been charged with drunk driving in Cobb County or anywhere else in Georgia, you need to be aware of the 30-day letter. After arrest, you only have 30 days to request a hearing and challenge the administrative suspension of your driver's license. If the hearing is not requested, then your license will be automatically suspended.

One of our DUI Lawyers in Cobb County can assist with filing the letter on your behalf as well as handling the criminal case. Fighting a DUI case requires special skills, extensive legal knowledge, and years of experience. Our experience comes from having represented thousands of clients charged with DUI in Cobb County.

Cobb County Courts

If you were arrested within the city limits of Acworth, Austell, Kennesaw, Marietta, Powder Springs, or Smyrna, your case would proceed in the Municipal Court for each of those towns. If you were arrested outside of the city limits, then you will be required to appear in Cobb County State Court. However, if you were charged with felony DUI, you will be expected to appear in Cobb County Superior Court.

Cobb County State Court

Cobb County State Court handles cases that originate outside of city limits and also conduct jury trials. If your case started in municipal court, you can request a trial and for your case to be bound over the Cobb County State Court. Cobb County State Court is located at 12 East Park Square, Marietta, GA 30090.  The phone number is (770) 528-2622. There are twelve full-time judges on the Court.

Cobb County Superior Court

If your charges include a felony offense, your case will be heard in the Superior Court of Cobb County. In Georgia, DUI is generally a misdemeanor offense, but a DUI can also be charged as a felony in certain circumstances. A fourth DUI within ten years (if all convictions are since 2008), DUI Serious Injury By Vehicle, Habitual Violator, and DUI Vehicular Homicide and Feticide are all felony offenses.

Cobb County Superior Court is located at 70 Haynes Street, Marietta, GA 30090. The phone number is (770) 528-1801. The Superior Court of Cobb County has ten elected judges who preside over jury trials, rule on evidence, hear motions, and render verdicts in bench trials. Each Superior Court Judge is elected to a four-year term. 

Contact Us

If you or someone you care about has been charged with DUI, contact our Cobb County DUI Lawyers. We handle cases throughout Metro Atlanta and are ready to take your call today. Our DUI Attorneys in Cobb County can be reached 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Contact us now for a free case evaluation.