THOMASTON GA DUI LAWYER - THOMASTON GA DUI ATTORNEY

Being pulled over for a suspected DUI can be an incredibly stressful experience. Georgia DUI penalties are harsh and include hefty fines, license suspension, and even jail time. Additionally, a DUI conviction in Thomaston could have signification consequences on your personal life and lasting effects on your family or job. If you were arrested for DUI in Thomaston, it is imperative that you retain an attorney who will aggressively fight the charges you are facing. Lawson and Berry has over 50 combined years of experience. Our office is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to answer your call. Call now and receive a free case evaluation.

30-Day Warning

A skilled Thomaston DUI Attorney can help you avoid the license suspension associated with a DUI.  If you do nothing, your license will automatically be suspended for up to 12 months.  If you refused to take the blood, breath or urine test the officer in your case directed you to choose, your license suspension will be 12 months with no hope of a restricted license allowing you to drive to and from work or school. Your Thomaston DUI lawyer will request an Administrative License Suspension hearing (ALS Hearing) or an ignition interlock device, increasing the chances that you will not suffer a license suspension at all!

Courtroom Conduct Rules

When attending court in Thomaston, it is critical to make a good impression. Judges, juries, and prosecutors will make assumptions based on how you conduct yourself and dress. Whatever or not you believe this is right, it is important to make sure you are giving off the right impression. Some tips we give our clients before a court appearance include:

• Be on time
• Dress appropriately. For women, wear modest clothing. For men, a collared shirt that is tucked in with a belt is advised.
• Always refer to the judge as “Your Honor”
• Be polite to the judge, opposing counsel, and court staff
• Make eye contact when someone is speaking to you
• Be prepared and organized

Things you should not do when appearing in Court:

• Do not chew gum
• Do not wear sunglasses, hats, or other head coverings
• Do not wear revealing clothing
• Do not bring any prohibited item into the courtroom such as weapons
• Do not use your phone at any time.
• Do not wear shorts
• Do not wear open-toe shoes

If you have any questions on how you should act or what you should wear for court, feel free to contact our office. The rules of court conduct differ from county to county, so it is important to review their regulations before your court date. Dressing appropriately and being prepared can never hurt your case. Following the listed rules is the first step in defending your case. For more information about court rules, please visit our page here.

Field Sobriety Tests

Field sobriety testing has been around since law enforcement first started enforcing DUI laws. In the beginning, the tests ranged from officer to officer. Essentially, officers could use whatever techniques they wanted to try and gauge a person's impairment. In the late 1970s, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) regulated the tests and designed a three-part test. It includes the one-leg stand, the walk-and-turn, and the horizontal gaze nystagmus test. These tests became the standard in determining whether the driver was under the influence of alcohol or drugs. While most officers use these tests, they sometimes utilize other methods such as reciting the alphabet backward.

Types of Tests:

Standard methods of testing to see if a driver is impaired include field sobriety tests. These three steps each have their own advantages and disadvantages. However, they all share the same difficulty of relying on basic physical abilities that not all people possess.

One-Leg Stand: This test is self-explanatory, but an officer will request the driver to stand on one leg. The officer is looking to see if the driver has a difficult time balancing. However, this test may give inaccurate results if the person has poor vision, is wearing high heel shoes, or if they are overweight.

Walk-and-Turn: If an officer uses the walk-and-turn test, they will request the driver to take 10 steps, turn, and then repeat the same 10 steps back. The steps must be taken heel to toe. The officer will observe whether the driver can follow directions and can perform the requested actions. Similarly to the one-leg stand, there are factors beside drinking that can make this test difficult.

Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus- The HGN test is the most widely accepted and scientifically approved. This test involves the driver trying to follow an object, such as a pen, while the officer watches. The officer is looking for signs of intoxication, including whether the driver is able to follow the pen. There are some medical conditions and prescription drugs that can affect this test.

Thomaston Municipal Court

Thomaston Municipal handles all misdemeanor traffic violations and city ordinance violations that occur within the city limits of Thomaston. Candice Chatman is the Clerk of Court, and the Honorable Jefferson David Fowler is the Thomaston Municipal Court judge. Court is held at 613 North Church Street, Thomaston, GA 30286. Please call (706) 647-4242 for more information.

Map to Thomaston Municipal Court 

Contact Us Now

Speak with a trusted and experienced Thomaston DUI Attorney who exclusively handles DUI cases. We will walk you through the court process and explain all of your options to you. Thomaston DUI cases can be won or at least the damage to your life and reputation can be minimized. However, the most important step is calling an attorney quickly. Your Georgia driver's license and freedom are on the line. Do not trust your future to just any lawyer. Trust the DUI experts at Lawson and Berry. Call now!