Forsyth County GA DUI Lawyer

If you have been charged with a DUI in Forsyth County GA, you need to hire experienced representation immediately. Our DUI Attorneys in Forsyth County understand that you are likely concerned with whether you will spend time in jail or lose your license. Our Forsyth County DUI Lawyers are dedicated to helping you through this difficult time.

30 Day Warning

You only have 30 days after your DUI arrest to protect your driver's license from being suspended. To prevent the suspension, you must either file a letter requesting an Administrative License Suspension (ALS) hearing or install an ignition interlock device on your vehicle. Both of these approaches should be discussed with a Forsyth County GA DUI Attorney before you make a decision. However, if you have been charged with refusing the blood, breath, or urine test, your license will be suspended for one year. To protect your Georgia driver's license, call us now.

DUI Checkpoints in Forsyth County GA

Forsyth County DUI officers are specifically trained in DUI detection and field sobriety testing. All of the officers have video cams on their bodies, and the footage is frequently used in court.

Georgia 400 is one of the busiest roads in Forsyth County, and officers are always looking for potential DUI drivers. They frequently set up roadblocks and checkpoints to aid in discovering drunk drivers. Forsyth County even has its own DUI Task Force that aggressively targets potential DUI drivers.

While DUI checkpoints are legal in Georgia, some requirements must be met in order for it to be a lawful checkpoint.  These requirements include:

• The checkpoint must be appropriately marked, and officers must be in uniform
• Law enforcement may not unreasonably delay traffic
• Every vehicle must be stopped
• Random stops are not permitted
• The officers conducting the checkpoint must have the required training and experience to determine whether the drivers are DUI
• The checkpoint must be for a legitimate purpose, such as preventing drunk driving
• A supervisor must make the decision as to where to place a roadblock

If a DUI checkpoint fails to meet any of these requirements, it may be held unconstitutional by a Georgia court, and your arrest could be dismissed with the help of our Forsyth County DUI Lawyers.

What are Forsyth County Officers Looking For at a DUI Checkpoint?

When stopped at a DUI checkpoint, police officers are looking for certain signs that suggest a driver is under the influence of alcohol or drugs. These indicators include:

• Bloodshot eyes
• Slurred or incoherent speech
• Decreased motor function such as difficulty getting license, fumbling with keys
• Inability to answer simple questions
• The odor of drugs or alcohol
• Bottles of alcohol, drugs, or drug paraphernalia that are in plain view.

If the officer observes one or more of the above conditions they may investigate further, and it could lead to a DUI arrest. If that is your situation, our Forsyth County DUI Lawyers are here for you.

Can I Avoid a DUI Roadblock?

Normal driving that happens to avoid a DUI checkpoint does not justify a stop by law enforcement. However, any abnormal or suspicious driving a driver takes to avoid a roadblock gives an officer reasonable suspicion of criminal activity to initiate a stop of your vehicle. For example, if you see a DUI checkpoint coming up and you pull an illegal U-turn, then an officer can pull you under on suspicion of avoiding the checkpoint. However, if you legally turn onto another road, then the officer cannot pull you over for legal driving that avoided the checkpoint.

For more information or if you tried to avoid a checkpoint and have been arrested for DUI, contact one of our DUI Attorneys in Forsyth County GA today.

Forsyth County DUI Court

Forsyth County DUI Court was organized in 2006 to improve community safety and reduce DUI recidivism by providing multiple DUI offenders the opportunity to change their lives. The program uses treatments, increased supervision, and enhanced judicial accountability to try and achieve these goals. The DUI Court consists of a partnership between the Judge, Solicitor's office, probation, law enforcement, DUI Court office, treatment providers, and defense.

Forsyth County's DUI Court is a minimum of 18 months and consists of 4 phases: Phase 1 is the Orientation Phase, Phase 2 is the Transitional Phase, Phase 3 is the Maintenance Phase, and Phase 4 is the Aftercare Phase.

How to Get Into Forsyth County's DUI Court Program?

A person who would like to be considered for the program is required to have:

• Multiple DUI charges
• High BAC at the time of arrest
• Not be taking any addictive or mood altering medications, and
• Must not be involved in the sale or distribution of illegal drugs.
• Must be at least 17 years of age
• No more than 2 felony arrests in 10 years

While there are other factors taken into consideration, these elements are the key components. If you are not a Forsyth County resident and wish to participate in a DUI Court program can seek for their case to be transferred to the county in which they live.

What Does DUI Court Consist Of?

DUI Court participants are required to attend weekly group counseling sessions, weekly recovery meetings, participate in random alcohol and drug screenings, be subject to home searches, and attend monthly Status Review Hearings with the DUI Court Judge. Additionally, participants are not allowed to consume alcohol, illegal drugs, or non-approved prescription medications at any time.

A participant's failure to complete or cooperate with the program can result in the original penalties being enforced, as well as additional penalties. DUI Court is not something to enter into without being absolutely sure of the commitment you are making. We urge you to contact our DUI Attorneys in Forsyth County if you are considering DUI Court. We have decades of experience defending those charged with DUI and have extensive experience with clients entering into Forsyth County's DUI Court program.

Forsyth County GA DUI Defense

Every DUI case comes with a new set of facts and a new way to interpret the law, which our Forsyth County DUI attorneys are experts in handling. Once arrested for DUI, the clock is ticking. You only have 30 days to save your license, and there are motion deadlines to pay attention to. Upon calling our office, we will take the time to thoroughly examine your case. This can include interviewing witnesses, visiting the scene of the arrest, obtaining police records, watching dashcam videos, and reaching out to medical experts. We will look at your case from every angle to develop arguments to undermine the State's case against you.

Our DUI Lawyers in Forsyth County focus exclusively on DUI law and therefore are knowledgeable in the best arguments to make for each case. We understand that your case offers a unique set of facts, and we are ready to rise to the challenge. We practice throughout the state of Georgia and have spent years building relationships with prosecutors, judges, and court staff.

Forsyth County Superior Court

Forsyth County Superior Court handles all felony DUI cases that originate within Forsyth County limits. Additionally, if your case begins in Forsyth County Probate Court or in Cumming Municipal Court, and you request a jury trial, your case will be bound over to Forsyth Superior Court. There are three judges that sit on Superior Court: the Honorable Chief Judge Jeffery S. Bagley, Judge David L. Dickinson, and Judge Phillip C. Smith. The Superior Court is located at 110 East Courthouse Square, Cumming, GA 30040, and can be reached at 770-781-2120.

Penny Penn serves as Forsyth County's District Attorney, and her office can be reached at 770-781-2125. Willian Finch serves as the Solicitor for Forsyth County, and his office can be reached at 770-781-2145. The Solicitor's office is located at 101 East Courthouse Square, Suite 2084, Cumming, GA 30040.

Forsyth County Probate Court

Forsyth County Probate handles DUI cases that originate outside of Cumming city limits and in the unincorporated parts of Forsyth. The Honorable Judge Lynwood D. Jordan presides over the Court. The Court is located at 100 West Courthouse Square, Suite 008, Cumming GA 30040, and can be reached at 770-781-2140.

Cumming Municipal Court

If your DUI case originated within Cumming city limits, your case will proceed in Cumming Municipal Court. Forsyth County DUI offices are known for parking outside Good Ole Days, Summits Tavern, and even Taco Mac in Cumming to pull people over when leaving. Cumming Municipal Court is tough on DUI offenders, and a skilled Forsyth County DUI Lawyer is needed to protect your rights! Cumming Municipal Court is held in the Cumming Police Department located at 301 Veterans Memorial Blvd, Cumming, GA 30040. The Honorable Judge Richard Neville presides over the Court. Ms. Cynthia Pruitt is the Court Clerk, and she can be reached at 770-781-2002.

Contact Our DUI Lawyers in Forsyth County GA Today

A DUI conviction can have a lasting effect on your life. Our Forsyth County DUI Lawyers wanted to help you avoid these penalties and help you move on from this situation. Our office is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, because we believe you deserve answers to your questions even if it is outside of regular business hours. Call us now for a free case evaluation and find out how we will make all the difference in your case!