Jonesboro DUI Lawyer
At The Law Offices of Richard S. Lawson, our DUI Attorneys in Jonesboro have worked tirelessly for over 25 years to provide effective defenses and positive solutions to those who stand accused of DUI in Atlanta. If you or a loved one is facing DUI charges, call us now. Call now for a free case evaluation.
DUI Drugs in Jonesboro
It is just as illegal to drive while intoxicated on drugs as it is to drive while intoxicated on alcohol in Atlanta, and the punishment for drug DUI is the same as for DUI of alcohol. Furthermore, Georgia law allows charging drivers for a combination of drugs and alcohol. A first or second DUI Drug conviction within 10 years is charged as a misdemeanor in Georgia. Even though they are misdemeanor charges, the penalties are severe.
One of the difficulties with DUI drug charges is that there is no presumption of guilt based on any specific measurement of drugs in your system. This is in contrast to blood-alcohol levels, where the legal limit is currently set at 0.08.
It is important to understand that any substance that can affect your nervous system or your ability to drive will qualify as a drug under Georgia's DUI laws. Essentially, the law allows drivers to be prosecuted for being under the influence of any chemical or drug that affects their ability to operate a motor vehicle, however slightly. Many people are unaware that drugs for which they have a legal prescription also fall under this category.
Police investigating a driver suspected of operating under the influence of drugs will often request a blood test. However, before the arresting police officer can lawfully request that a driver submits to a blood test, they need to have probable cause. A drug DUI blood test is a form of search. The Constitution protects individuals from unreasonable searches by the government of their property or person. Your constitutional rights may have been violated if police demanded a sample of your blood without probable cause to suspect you were driving under the influence of drugs or a combination of drugs and alcohol.
DUI Drug Charge Defenses
There are always Atlanta DUI defenses we can use to defend your case. Even though DUI drug cases can be complex, our decades of experience give us the advantage because we have handled hundreds of DUI drug charges. We understand what you are up against and know how to help. Some of the defenses we can use include but are not limited to:
- Whether the person that drew your blood was certified to do so.
- Whether whole blood was tested or if the sample contained serum or blood plasma.
- How the blood sample was stored until it was tested.
- Whether the chain of custody was broken, and
- Other human errors that could affect the blood test result.
The important thing is to hire an experienced Jonesboro DUI Lawyer as soon as you are able! The more time you can give us to investigate, the better. Call us now for a free case evaluation.
Jonesboro Municipal Court
If you have been arrested for DUI in Jonesboro, your case will proceed in Jonesboro Municipal Court. The Municipal Court is held upstairs in the Jonesboro Police Department located at 170 S. Main Street, Jonesboro, GA 30236, and can be reached at 770-478-7407.
Contact Our DUI Attorneys in Jonesboro Today
If you have been arrested for DUI in Jonesboro or anywhere else in Clayton County, call the Law Office of Richard Lawson.  We have top-notch DUI Lawyers in Jonesboro waiting to take your call to discuss your case.  Waiting until the last minute to hire an attorney will do nothing but hurt your case and put your freedom at stake.  You must act now to protect your rights.  Call now for a free case evaluation.