DUI Defense Attorney in Lawrenceville, Georgia

DUI Defense Attorney in Lawrenceville, Georgia

If you are charged with DUI in Lawrenceville, it is a wise idea to immediately retain the services of an experienced Lawrenceville DUI lawyer. For nearly fifteen years, Lawrenceville DUI Lawyer Jim Yeargan has tirelessly fought to defend the rights of DUI clients in Lawrenceville with frequently successful results. Jim Yeargan is one of the top DUI attorneys in the area who knows how to evaluate a situation to determine all potential outcomes and develop the best legal strategy.

From a preliminary hearing, formal arraignment, pre-trial conference, trial to appeal, skilled Lawrenceville attorney “DUI Jim” Yeargan and the other attorneys at Yeargan & Kert, LLC can provide the support that you need to make sure that your case concludes with positive results

The Defense Attorneys at Yeargan & Kert, LLC Are Top Lawrenceville DUI Lawyers

Attorneys that have experience on both sides of the courtroom are both rare and valuable. In the early years of his career, Mr. Yeargan worked as a prosecutor in the same Lawrenceville and surrounding courts where he now defends his clients.

Unlike many other DUI attorneys, due to his training, Mr. Yeargan understands how prosecutors construct and proceed with DUI charges in addition to being personally familiars with the lawyers and judges who will be hearing the case. Armed with this knowledge, Lawrenceville DUI lawyer Jim Yeargan has the experience and skill to successfully defend against DUI charges.

Driving Under The Influence Roadblocks

Many individuals facing DUI’s in Lawrenceville were stopped due to a DUI roadblock or checkpoint. Motorists should not assume that a checkpoint is automatically constitutionally. Rather, many roadblocks are unlawful under the Fourth Amendment unless law enforcement follows certain established regulations.

Lawrenceville DUI lawyer Jim Yeargan has significant experience examining roadblocks to ensure compliance by law enforcement. If you face a DUI charge due to a roadblock, it is a wise idea to contact a talented Lawrenceville DUI lawyer like the legal counsel at Yeargan & Kert, LLC who can determine whether your roadblock was an unreasonable search and seizure and therefore against the applicable Georgia law.

Consequences of a DUI in Lawrenceville

Motorists in the state of Georgia frequently fail to appreciate the many consequences that can arise as the result of a DUI conviction. Some of the potential charges faced by motorists in

Lawrenceville convicted of DUI’s include permanent driver’s license revocation, hefty fines, jail time, significantly increase auto insurance rates, limited future job opportunities, and significant social stigma.

The 30 Day DUI Warning

Any motor vehicle driver charged with a DUI or DUI related offense in Lawrenceville must act within ten days to protect the individual’s driver’s license and rights to drive. As a result of this ten-day limitation, Lawrenceville motorists who face a DUI should not hesitate to contact a skilled Lawrenceville DUI lawyer who can initiate a process called an Administrative License Hearing.

Motorists who do not appropriately initiate an Administrative License Hearing within ten days after being charged with a DUI will have their driver’s license automatically suspended for a period of up to one year. Waiting just a short amount of time in these situations can easily result in an individual being unable to drive.

Lawrenceville DUI Lawyer Jim Yeargan and the other attorneys at Yeargan & Kert, LLC know how to file the proper paperwork for Administrative License Hearing so that an individual’s license will not be unnecessarily suspended. Attorney Yeargan is also available at any time of the night or day to make sure that a motor vehicle driver complies with this ten-day DUI regulation.

Lawrenceville First DUI Offenses

Being charged with a first time DUI offense in Lawrenceville results in motor vehicle drivers facing up to one year in jail, suspension of a driver’s license for up to one year, up to one thousand dollars in fines, mandatory community service hours, requisite drug and alcohol treatment, and/or driver’s educations courses.

Second DUI Offense in Lawrenceville

Motor vehicle drivers who are charged with a second DUI offense in Lawrenceville face even more severe penalties than drivers that are charged with first-time DUI’s. Second time DUI offenses in Lawrenceville can result in hefty fines, increased jail times, the loss of a driver’s license up to three years, and the installation of an ignition interlock device.

An ignition interlock device requires an individual to blow into the machine in a manner similar to the breathalyzer, which will prevent a vehicle from starting if the driver has alcohol on the breath.

Multiple DUI’s in Lawrenceville

Law enforcement in Lawrenceville is particularly watchful for any motor vehicle drivers who might demonstrate the behaviors of a driver that is operating a vehicle while under the influence of alcohol. Courts in Georgia are often particularly strict when responding to DUI cases, which makes the assistance of a top Lawrenceville DUI lawyer like Jim Yeargan often essential.

For many individuals who face second or more DUI convictions in Lawrenceville, the resulting consequences can be particularly severe if a talented Lawrenceville DUI lawyer does not obtain less lenient charges.

Lawrenceville Third DUI Offenses

Increasing the penalties often attached to first and second time DUI offenses, individuals who are are charged with third-time DUI convictions can fines of up to five thousand dollars, mandatory jail time, probation, the suspension of an individual’s driver’s license for up to five years, severe social stigma, and various other adverse consequences.

Because third DUI offenses are particularly severe, individuals who face these types of charges should immediately contact a skilled Lawrenceville DUI lawyer at Yeargan & Kert, LLC.

Lawrenceville Field Sobriety Tests Explained

A law enforcement officer can conduct a field sobriety test of an individual as long as the officer has reasonable suspicion that an individual has been drinking alcohol or engaging in any type of drug use that affects the motorist’s driving behavior. Field sobriety tests are one of the primary ways that law enforcement determines whether an individual is guilty of driving under the influence.

There are some essential elements about field sobriety tests that all motorists who operate vehicles in the state of Georgia not yet. These tests determine whether an individual is capable of maintaining balance while walking in addition to various other determinations regarding the individual’s motor control capabilities.

In some situations, a law enforcement officer might ask the driver to simultaneously touch the hell of the individual’s foot to the toe of the individual’s other food. Individuals might also be asked to recite the letters in the alphabet. Sometimes drivers are even asked to keep a steady eye on the officer’s moving finger without turning the individual’s head. If an individual is unable to pass the test, law enforcement will use these results as supporting evidence that an individual is driving under the influence.

Failing a field sobriety test also often results in an individual being asked to provide the result for a portable breath test (PBT). The results of this test are only capable of determining whether or not an individual has consumed alcohol and not the exact amount of alcohol in an individual’s system.

The results of field sobriety tests are frequently inaccurate and flawed as pieces of evidence regarding the motor vehicle driver’s level of intoxication at the time of the test. Lawrenceville DUI lawyer Jim Yeargan has a complex understanding of the various compliance laws that field sobriety tests must meet and how to defend against inaccurate results.

Many law enforcement officers in Lawrenceville uses dashboard cameras, which provide footage that can be gained by Jim Yeargan and used as powerful defense evidence. In addition to analyzing evidence, Lawrenceville DUI lawyer Jim Yeargan will also be able to interpret whether any of an individual’s constitutional rights were violated during a field sobriety test.

How Blood and Breath Tests Occur in Lawrenceville DUI’s

Frequently to determine a motor vehicle driver’s sobriety, law enforcement in Georgia will conduct a test of a motorist to determine the content of alcohol within the driver’s body. Two of the most common chemical tests performed in the state of Georgia are blood and breath tests. In the state of Georgia, a motor vehicle driver is considered to be driving under the influence of alcohol if the motorist has a blood alcohol content over .08%.

Drivers under the age of twenty-one and commercial motor vehicle drivers are considered to be intoxicated at even lower blood alcohol content levels. Motorists in Georgia must take special note that refusing to take a blood-alcohol content test whenever asked to do so by law enforcement can potentially result in that driver temporarily or even permanently losing their driver’s license.

The Court Process for Lawrenceville DUI’s

Many individuals in Lawrenceville are uncertain about what process lies ahead regarding a DUI conviction. One of the most important goals of Jim Yeargan and the legal team at Yeargan & Kert, LLC is to keep individuals updated about various developments in cases. Motorists faced with this type of situation, however, frequently benefit from understanding how the court process for DUI cases in Lawrenceville often unfolds.

The Municipal Court of Lawrenceville has jurisdiction over DUI cases that occur within the city limits of Lawrenceville. This municipal court also hears all misdemeanor cases, local ordinance violations, and traffic violations that occur within Lawrenceville.

Upon an individual’s arrest for a DUI or DUI related offense, the individual will be provided a piece of paper referred to as a citation or bond that lists the individual’s arraignment date. An arraignment is a process that occurs in front of a judge during which time an individual typically has three options to plead: guilty, not guilty, or no contest which means that an individual neither confirms nor denies guilt.

If an individual pleads guilty, a judge will provide a sentence at that time. If an individual pleads not guilty, an individual will be provided a date for a future court hearing. Attendance at court hearings is particularly important. Missing a court date means that an individual will be charged with a Failure to Appear charge, which will result in the Georgia Department of Driver Services suspending an individual’s driver’s license.

Other negative results from missing a court hearing can include a judge issuing a bench warrant for an individual’s arrest, which will place an individual with the additional obstacle of being forced to pay a bond.

The Pretrial Diversion Program

Some individuals in Lawrenceville who are charged with certain charges may qualify for a Pretrial Diversion Program. DUI charges may not be disposed of through the Pretrial Diversion Program. This program offers individuals the opportunity to accept responsibility for a charge without having a record of this offense appear on an individual’s backgrounds checks or permanent record.

Only individuals who have been charged with a certain type of offense will qualify for the diversion program. Individuals who most frequently qualify for the program include individuals convicted of first offenses with otherwise clean criminal records who do not have any other pending charges.

Individuals who qualify to participate in the Pretrial Diversion Program often must meet several additional requirements which include the payment of a program fee, agreeing to random screening for drug and alcohol use, treatment for alcohol dependency, and probation.

Individuals frequently find pretrial diversion programs advantageous because these programs allow individuals to avoid more severe penalties like losing one’s driver’s license for an extended period of time or even serving a long stay in jail.

Plea Deals for DUI Arrests

A skilled Lawrenceville DUI lawyer like Jim Yeargan is often able to obtain plea arrangements from prosecutors in order to reach a resolution in a case. Plea deals are often particularly attractive to prosecutors because these agreements allow courts to hear cases at a quicker speed, which subsequently reduces a court’s caseload.

In many situations, a driver’s past motor vehicle history and criminal record play a particularly influential role in determining whether a plea deal can be reached. For individuals who have never been arrested, there are significant chances that the individual will able to have a sentenced reduce.

Lawrenceville DUI lawyer Jim Yeargan has significant experience helping individuals who are eligible for a plea deal navigate the court system and obtain favorable results. Due to his stellar track record, Jim Yeargan is able to help cases move through the court system as easily and as quickly as possible.

Lawrenceville DUI’s Involving Child Endangerment

For individuals who receive DUI’s with a child under the age of fourteen in the vehicle at the time of the arrest, the individual will be charged with child endangerment. DUI’s involving child endangerment are particularly serious charges that can result in a number of adverse consequences including potential imprisonment and losing custody of any involved child or children.

If you face a DUI charge involving child endangerment, there is not a moment to waste so consider contacting Attorney Jim Yeargan now.

Prescription and Over-The-Counter Drug Charges in Lawrenceville DUI Cases

Many individuals know that driving under the influence charges can be connected to alcohol, but some individuals fail to realize that the use of prescription medication or over-the-counter medications can result in individuals facing DUI or DUI related charges.

Motor vehicle drivers should take particular care regarding medications that contain warnings with significant warnings on the label including drugs that create dizziness or disorientation. Prescription drugs, however, lack precise legal limits in the same way that levels of alcohol can be determined by blood alcohol concentration tests.

Lawrenceville DUI lawyer Jim Yeargan has helped many individuals who were faced with DUI charges related to prescription and over-the-counter drugs reach positive outcomes in a variety of types of cases.

DUI’s in Lawrenceville Involving Illegal Drugs

Motor vehicle drivers who are charged with a DUI and are determined by law enforcement to have illegal drugs in the vehicle, on the driver’s body, or in the driver’s system can be charged with a DUI related to the illegal drugs. In many cases involving the possession of illegal drugs, individuals can also face additional charges including drug possession.

Motorists must understand that DUI’s due to illegal drugs frequently have a particularly strict penalty, which can make retaining the services of a Lawrenceville DUI lawyer who knows how to lessen potential cases like “DUI Jim” Yeargan at Yeargan & Kert, LLC.

Georgia DUI Law Concerning Marijuana Possession

All motorists in Georgia must understand the various laws concerning the possession of marijuana while operating a vehicle. If Georgia law enforcement determines that an individual was operating a motor vehicle under the possession of marijuana an individual can face particularly adverse consequences.

Frequently law enforcement officers rely upon sight or smell during a routine stop to determine that a motor vehicle is in the possession of marijuana. Other times, motor vehicle drivers authorize law enforcement to search a motor vehicle and marijuana is found. Individuals can be charged with possession of marijuana charges in addition to DUI charges.

As a result of these particularly strict laws, motor vehicle drivers should take particular care to never drive while under the influence of marijuana nor to operate a motor vehicle with marijuana within the individual’s possession.

If you have been charged with any type of DUI related offense due to the possession of marijuana, do not hesitate to contact a skilled Lawrenceville DUI lawyer at Yeargan & Kert, LLC to begin taking steps towards making sure that your case resolves in a positive manner.

DUI’s for Lawrenceville Drivers Under 21

It is absolutely critical that drivers under the age of twenty-one in Lawrenceville and the rest of the state of Georgia understand that it is strictly against the law to consume alcohol.

For motorists in Georgia under the age of twenty-one, if the driver’s blood alcohol content is determined by law enforcement to be over .02 percent then that motorist can be arrested for a DUI.

If an individual under the age of twenty-one is charged with such an offense then that individual will not be allowed a special permit for traveling between school, home, or work.

Because these types of situations frequently resolve complicated issues and very strict penalties, motorists under the age of twenty-one or their parents frequently require the services of an extremely talented Lawrenceville DUI lawyer like the legal counsel at Yeargan & Kert, LLC.

Police Procedure Regarding Lawrenceville DUI’s

Law enforcement in Lawrenceville can only pull over individuals for suspicion of DUI while

the individual is driving or stopped at a checkpoint. It is against both Georgia law and an individual’s Constitutional rights to stop an individual for suspicion of DUI if the individual is not in the process of operating a motor vehicle or at a checkpoint.

If you or a loved one believe that your rights have been violated due to improper police procedure concerning a DUI or DUI-related charge, it is a wise idea to consult a Lawrenceville DUI lawyer like Attorney Jim Yeargan who is able to fully analyze a case for potential violations.

Potential Strategies for Lawrenceville Motorists Stopped for DUI

If you are stopped for DUI in Lawrenceville, there are some key pieces of advice that should always be followed. It is recommended that motor vehicle drivers always remember some certain situations where when a DUI is involved:

The Role of Lawrenceville DUI Administrative Cases

Some DUI attorneys, law enforcement officers, and other individuals refer to the “administrative process”  which refers to the process during which time an individual files an appeal in an administrative court to retain one’s driver’s license.

Administrative hearings in Lawrenceville are helpful in ensuring that administrative hearing ensures that law enforcement officers involved in a DUI conducted the charge in a lawful manner and in compliance with various regulations. An experienced DUI lawyer like Jim Yeargan knows how to expertly represent an individual throughout all aspects of an administrative hearing.

Potential Options for Lawrenceville Motorists

Many individuals in Lawrenceville who are charged with DUI feel helpless and limited in the available options to respond to such a situation. A skilled DUI like Jim Yeargan is able to analyze the various aspects of an individual’s case to determine all of the potential options that an individual has to respond to a DUI charge.

While some individuals might choose to plead guilty to such a charge, individuals also have the right to challenge the lawfulness of a DUI charge. Many clients have discovered that the legal team at Yeargan & Kert, LLC is able to help determine the best option available for obtaining the desires of a client.

How to Respond if Arrested for a DUI in Lawrenceville

If an individual is arrested for a DUI in Lawrenceville, the individual will soon be booked into jail. Once placed in jail, a judge will determine and set bail. If an individual is able to pay the bail amount, the individual will be “bonded” out of the jail.

By contacting a Lawrenceville DUI lawyer at attorney at Yeargan & Kert, LLC after an arrest has occurred, the legal team at the firm will be able to help an individual navigate proceedings and determine how to best respond to such a case.

Ways That Yeargan & Kert, LLC Can Help A Lawrenceville DUI Case

In many situations, a Lawrenceville DUI case can be particularly complicated and involve complicated legal issues. Individuals who are faced with such charges should immediately contact a skilled Lawrenceville DUI lawyer at Yeargan & Kert, LLC today.

After calling our office, an individual will receive a complimentary consultation with a skilled Lawrenceville DUI lawyer. During this consultation, an individual will likely receive guide can that can help navigate through the complicated aspects of the DUI legal system.

At Yeargan & Kert, LLC our legal team understands that building a strong defense strategy is essential for a Lawrenceville DUI case. Our legal team will obtain records from the appropriate law enforcement agency analyze all applicable evidence to determine the best way to respond to your DUI. This evidence will include the results of a field sobriety test if one was conducted.

Available evidence will also include any incident reports that were created by an involved law enforcement officer. Once an attorney at Yeargan & Kert, LLC has analyzed all evidence in an individual’s case, a client will meet with an attorney to determine the best way to respond to such a case including whether any potential legal violations may have been made.

The Services of A Talented Lawrenceville Attorney Like Jim Yeargan

Many individuals are uncertain of what steps to take or how to respond to a DUI case in order to reach the best results in a case. One of the best pieces of advice that individuals should practice after charged with a DUI in Lawrenceville is to retain the services of a skilled attorney like Jim Yeargan who knows exactly how to defend driving under the influence case.

Having won many DUI cases in the past attorney Yeargan knows exactly what it takes to defend against a DUI case. If you or a loved one has been charged with a DUI in Lawrenceville, do not hesitate to contact the law office of Yeargan & Kert, LLC today.

Lawrenceville DUI’s Involving Vehicular Homicide

All motor vehicle drivers in Lawrenceville who are involved in motor vehicle accidents that result in deaths will be given a chemical test for the presence of drugs and alcohol. Motor vehicle drivers who are charged with DUI can also be charged with one separate count of vehicular homicide for every death that occurred due to the accident.

Vehicular homicide charges are one of the most serious charges that motor vehicles in Lawrenceville that are charged with a DUI can face.

If you are arrested for vehicular homicide, one of the essential steps to take immediately to contact attorney Jim Yeargan who can immediately begin to take steps to protect your rights and make sure that your case reaches a positive result.

How Lawrenceville Motorists Should Respond to a DUI

There are some essential pieces of advice that individuals should always remember to follow if stopped for a DUI in Lawrenceville:

Obtain the Services of a Skilled Lawrenceville DUI Attorney at Yeargan & Kert, LLC

The legal team at Yeargan & Kert, LLC has all of the necessary experience and qualifications to represent an individual in any type of hearing for a DUI or DUI related offense. Our Lawrenceville DUI legal team is willing and able to fight tirelessly to defend your DUI case and with the required knowledge and experience, our attorneys know what it takes to prevail in a DUI case.

Contact an attorney at Yeargan & Kert, LLC as soon as you are charged with a DUI advice. No matter what DUI situation, there are always options and ways to make the situation better.


The Lawrenceville DUI Lawyers at Yeargan & Kert, LLC


Atlanta Office Location

Yeargan & Kert, LLC
1170 Peachtree St NE #1200,
Atlanta, GA 30309
404-879-5274