DUI Defense Lawyer Serving Forsyth County

DUI charges cannot be taken lightly. A conviction can mean jail sentencing, hefty monetary fines, probation, community service, driver's license suspension and more, not to mention a permanent mark on your criminal record. Fortunately, DUI charges can be effectively challenged with the assistance of a competent Forsyth County DUI attorney from the Law Offices of Richard S. Lawson.

Attorney Richard S. Lawson has successfully resolved more than 5,000 DUI cases throughout Georgia and he has helped thousands of clients keep their driver's licenses. If you are facing DUI charges, please browse through this website to learn more about the DUI process. For further information, contact the firm directly for high-quality legal assistance.

1st DUI
For the average first time DUI the penalties typically include: 24 hours to 1 year in jail, up to $1,000 in fines, up to 12 months driver's license suspension and a minimum of 40 hours community service. Each case is handled on an individual basis, so the penalties may vary depending on the facts surrounding the case. Read more about a 1st DUI…

2nd DUI
When someone is arrested on a second DUI offense, then they run the risk of receiving serious penalties upon conviction. The penalties for a second DUI could include up to 1 year in jail, a $1,000 fine, 30 days of community service and a suspended license for up to 3 years. Read more about 2nd DUI…

3rd DUI
Repeat offenders can expect harsh penalties, especially for third or fourth DUI offenses. A 3rd DUI can result in 12 months in jail, and up to $5,000 in fines and a 5 year suspended driver's license. You would also be forced to complete an alcohol treatment program. Read more about 3rd DUI…

Best DUI Lawyer
Are you looking for the best DUI attorney you could possibly find in Forsyth County? If so, it's important to select someone with an extensive amount of experience in the field of DUI and a long track record for results. With over 20 years experience in the field of DUI, Mr. Lawson has helped more than 5,000 Georgia residents keep their driver's license. Read more about the best DUI lawyer…

DUI Process
The DUI process begins with the initial traffic stop. The police officer will ask you to perform a series of standardized field sobriety tests. Depending upon your performance, the officer might ask you to submit to a blood or breath test. These tests are designed to measure your blood alcohol concentration (BAC). Read more about the DUI process…

Do I Need a Lawyer?
We may be rather independent these days but still, whenever someone is facing legal trouble they must hire an attorney to represent them, and DUI charges are no different. With a DUI conviction, you could lose your license, be forced to pay high fines, you could be forced to perform community service and you would gain a permanent criminal record. Read more about why you need a lawyer…

Accidents and Serious Injury by Vehicle
If one of the people in an auto accident with injury registers at .08% BAC or above, it may be quickly concluded that they were the cause of the accident. In these types of cases, it's critical to have an attorney to help prove that the fault belonged to the other driver. Read more about accidents and serious injury by vehicle…

ALS Hearing
When you are arrested for DUI in Georgia, you must request what is called the ALS hearing with the Department of Driver Services (DDS) within thirty days of the arrest. This hearing specifically addressed your driver's license suspension and is separate from your criminal hearing. Read more about the ALS hearing…

Blood & Breath Tests
Blood & breath tests are two forms of chemical tests that are used to measure the blood alcohol concentration in a person's bloodstream. When the police have arrested someone for DUI, they will ask them to submit to a blood or breath test, failure to submit to a chemical test when asked to will typically result in an automatic driver's license suspension. Read more about blood & breath tests…

Child Endangerment
If you have been arrested for DUI and you had a child under the age of 14 in your car at the time of your arrest, then you will most likely be charged with child endangerment on top of your DUI charges. What's more, for each child under the age of 14 in your vehicle, you are facing additional charges and penalties. Read more about child endangerment…

Drugs & DUI
A person can be convicted of DUI for driving under the influence of illegal drugs, prescription medications and over-the-counter drugs. In fact, law enforcement nationwide has expanded their assessment of intoxicated drivers to include those who were under the influence of illegal and legal substances. Read more about drugs & DUI…

DUI Under 21
If you have been arrested for DUI and you are under the age of 21, you are facing serious penalties. Under Georgia's zero tolerance law, it's unlawful to drive with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) level of .02% or higher. Read more about under 21 DUI…

Field Sobriety Tests
Standardized field sobriety tests are those roadside tests conducted by law enforcement during a routine DUI traffic stop. Any evidence collected during the field sobriety tests is used to gain probable cause to make an arrest and pursue a conviction. Read more about field sobriety tests…

GA DUI By Out of State Driver
It's a mistake to assume that a DUI conviction in Georgia won't affect your license in your home state, because this simply isn't true. The majority of the states across the nation share information with each other. Meaning, your DUI in Georgia will most likely result in the same consequences in the state you call home. Read more about GA DUI by out of state driver…

Marijuana Cases
If you are caught driving with marijuana in your possession, then you could be facing driver's license suspension. Even though it's yet to be proven that driving under the influence of marijuana impairs driving ability, it's still frowned upon by the local and state courts. Read more about marijuana cases…

Minor in Possession of Alcohol
Georgia State laws are notoriously strict and minors in possession of alcohol are no exception. The state is extremely harsh on caught with alcohol in their possession, or even those attempting to purchase alcohol from a bar or liquor store. Read more about minor in possession of alcohol…

Plea Bargain vs. Trial
In some DUI cases the client will be offered a plea bargain. A plea bargain would be a lesser charge for the offense that was committed. If you are seeking a plea bargain, it's important that you hire an attorney who can thoroughly investigate the facts surrounding your case beforehand. Read more about a plea bargain vs. trial…

Prescription Drugs & DUI
Many people have no clue that they can be convicted of DUI when driving under the influence of their lawfully prescribed medication, but they can. Certain medicines, especially those created to alleviate pain, sleeplessness or allergies can impair one's driving ability. Read more about prescription drugs & DUI…

Prior DUI Convictions
Whenever someone is arrested for DUI a second, third, or fourth time the penalties are even greater than a first time DUI. Repeat offenders face enhanced jail time, higher fines, more community service hours and much longer driver's license suspension. Read more about prior DUI convictions…

Refusals/Alleged Refusals
Many people aren't aware of the implications of refusing to submit to any type of breath or blood test. In most states, Georgia included, refusing to submit to a chemical test can result in an automatic driver's license suspension, even if you weren't under the influence of alcohol. Read more about refusals/alleged refusals…

Roadside Checkpoints
If you have been arrested and charged with DUI after being pulled over at a roadside checkpoint in Forsyth County, it's critical that you speak with a Forsyth County DUI lawyer at once. Attorney Richard S. Lawson can ascertain the legality of the roadside checkpoint and from there he can protect your rights. Read more about roadside checkpoints…

Suspended License
After you are arrested for DUI you have just 30 days from the arrest to request the ALS hearing. The ALS hearing is separate from your criminal hearing and it specifically addresses your driver's license suspension. If you don't schedule your ALS hearing within 30 days of the arrest, you lose your right to challenge your license suspension. Read more about driver's license suspension…

Vehicular Homicide
It is extremely frustrating to be facing vehicular homicide charges, whether or not alcohol was involved in the collision. If you have been charged with this felony offense, then it's critical that you contact the Law Offices of Richard S. Lawson at once. Read more about vehicular homicide…

Violation of Probation
When someone is placed on probation they will have a number of conditions imposed upon them. When they violate any one of the terms of probation, then they can get into serious legal trouble. Such violations can include failure to complete community service or failing to complete a drug or alcohol treatment program. Read more about probation violations…

Forsyth County DUI Defense Lawyer

Whether you are facing charges for your first DUI offense, or your third, it's critical to enlist the services of a highly qualified Forsyth County DUI attorney from the Law Offices of Richard S. Lawson. Attorney Richard S. Lawson has over 20 years experience in the field of DUI law, and as a former DUI prosecutor he knows how and where to look for errors or flaws in the prosecution's case. At times having the right lawyer fighting in your corner can mean the difference between a conviction and getting your charges dismissed! To discuss your case with a member of the legal team, contact the firm today.

Contact a Forsyth County DUI attorney from the Law Offices of Richard S. Lawson.