Helpful Do's and Don'ts

The time after a DUI arrest can be intimidating. In the State of Georgia, a driver faces various degrees of license suspension, fines and possibly even jail time if they are convicted of driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Our firm is here to help. At The Law Offices of Richard S. Lawson, we understand DUI on a comprehensive level. With a former DUI prosecutor on our side and over 20 years of experience under our belts, we have what it takes to get our clients' charges lessened or dismissed completely. One way that we aim to help clients is by keeping them informed. By following some of the simple rules listed below, you can be on your way to a strong defense against your DUI charges.

Don't view your charges casually. One of the major pitfalls when it comes to DUI charges is that people can think of this as a lesser offense. Simply because this is one of the most common criminal charges does not mean that it should not be taken seriously. The ramifications of a conviction have the potential to seriously change your life. For example, your license could be suspended, your insurance premiums might go up and most serious of all, you will have a mark on your criminal record.

Do ask for a DMV hearing within 30 days. In Georgia, there is something called the 30 day rule. You only have thirty days after your arrest in which you can petition for a hearing with the DMV. This is not a criminal hearing. This is a hearing that purely evaluates the status of your driver's license. It is important at these hearings to have an attorney who knows how to defend you. This means that you must act quickly to find a skilled attorney to represent you.

Don't miss your court dates. Those who miss their court appearances run the risk of having a warrant issued. On top of this, it doesn't bode well with the status of your case. You may lose your right to defend yourself if you miss your hearings, so it is important to keep yourself well informed. One of the best ways to do this is by hiring a DUI attorney. It is their job to make sure that you take all the necessary steps so that your case ends with the best possible results.

Do choose an attorney who has a record of success. Many people make the mistake of hiring an attorney based on their price tag. While some good attorneys can come at an affordable rate, it is important that this is not your only criteria. You have heard it said that "you get what you pay for" and this is also true with law firms. The Law Offices of Richard S. Lawson has those case results that you can trust. Our firm has successfully resolved more than 4,900 DUI cases.

Don't admit guilt at any point during or after your arrest. Remember, you are entitled to 5th amendment rights. Anything you say can and probably will be used against you in court, which means that any slight admission of fault can hurt your chance at a successful defense.

Do speak with a lawyer as soon as you can. Our firm cannot stress enough the importance of getting legal representation for your DUI charges. We encourage you to not just hire any attorney, but an attorney from our firm. There is a limited amount of time after your arrest in which you can get legal help. Our firm is prepared to act quickly for our clients.

Call The Law Offices of Richard S. Lawson!

So what are you waiting for? Our firm is available 24 hours a day and 7 days a week to take your calls. You can trust both our skill and our experience to fight for you. Don't deny yourself quality representation. Our firm has a singular focus, and that is to defend those who have been charged with DUIs so that they are not convicted. Take the next step and contact The Law Offices of Richard S. Lawson today!