Everything You Need to Know About the Gwinnett County DUI Court
Speak with a trusted Gwinnett DUI Court lawyer in Georgia.
If you face repeat DUI charges, your sentence could include treatment with the Gwinnett County DUI Court. Read more about the details of DUI proceedings here.
Author: Philip Kim, Founder, Philip Kim Law, P.C.
Defense lawyer Philip Kim has committed his career to standing up for the accused, and protecting the rights and reputations of his valued clients. If you face criminal charges in Georgia, we can provide you with the skilled, effective defense representation you need.
Published on November 04, 2021, last updated on September 23, 2022.
Basics of the Gwinnett County DUI Court
Gwinnett County, Georgia, has more than 1,000 criminal city courts (more than any other county in the U.S.) that adjudicate felony and misdemeanor DUI cases. The Gwinnett Municipal Court, Gwinnett County Magistrate Court, and Gwinnett Superior Court are just a few types of Gwinnett County Courts. Zoning, code ordinance infractions, business licensing, environmental health, and animal control are all managed by the Gwinnett County Recorder’s Court.
City courts would handle your trial and DUI case in the county where you were pulled over and charged by a Gwinnett county police officer with driving while intoxicated. Although your Gwinnett County DUI lawyer can submit an admission of presence on your behalf, so you don’t have to make a court appearance, many municipal courts require our clients to attend all sessions.
Working with experienced defense attorneys can help you navigate through the DUI law of Gwinnett county and how you can deal with the criminal charges before or in the jury trial.
How Cases Are Brought to the DUI in Court Gwinnett County
While any state-certified police officer has the authority to make a DUI arrest, these police unit officers work hours when DUI drivers are more likely to be out, and they are aggressive in their traffic stops.
Some Gwinnett cops have even completed DRE training. The term “DRE” stands for “drug recognition experts.” This implies that if you’re pulled over for a traffic violation and the officer doesn’t necessarily suspect alcohol but rather a different intoxicating substance, you’ll almost certainly be charged with a DUI-drug crime.
The police examine drivers for legally prescribed medications in addition to illicit narcotics like methamphetamine or heroin, which may visibly affect driving. Certain anxiety, sleeping aids, and depression medicines can induce impairment, and a DRE has more tools than the ordinary Gwinnett officer conducting a DUI investigation to identify the effects of these substances.
An aggressive DUI officer may even inquire about your habitual use of over-the-counter sedatives like Benadryl or Nyquil. That is why you must exercise your right to remain silent and immediately retain the services of an aggressive Gwinnett County DUI attorney.
An experienced attorney can help you through a DUI investigation and help you navigate Georgia Law.
Gwinnett County DUI Court Help
Why You Need a Lawyer in Gwinnett County DUI Court
Even if this is your first DUI arrest, acquiring the most effective legal representation possible is critical. You need capable criminal defense lawyers by your side as you might serve jail time, monetary fines, and the loss of your driving privileges if you are convicted. You’d also have to do community service, enroll in an alcohol and drug treatment program, and go to a DUI school.
Apart from the risk of jail time, you will almost certainly be placed on probation for a lengthy period of time (as much as 36 months). If you breach the terms and conditions of your probation by breaking new criminal statutes while on probation, your probation may be terminated. If you break your probation by failing to follow a court-ordered treatment plan, you will be charged with violating probation.
DUI Court is a special type of court that mixes substance abuse treatment with judicial oversight, with the goal to rehabilitate, not punish. The DUI Court Judge will make all decisions regarding your participation in the DUI Court Program with input from the DUI Court Team.
Benefits of DUI Lawyer in Gwinnett County Court
Less of your time will be spent handling your charges if the attorney managing your DUI case knows the applicable procedures.
Additionally, if your Gwinnett County DUI lawyer fights DUI cases frequently, they will have exposure to prosecutors that lawyers without extensive experience will not have. You will benefit from your attorney’s enhanced access and communication with the prosecuting attorney if your lawyer often fights Atlanta-area DUI accusations.
If your DUI lawyer is well-versed in the procedures in your case, they may have more time to devote to building a solid defense. The facts of criminal cases are that your lawyer can only devote a certain amount of time to your case’s defense. If your lawyer has to spend time learning about the Gwinnett County Court system, they will not be able to devote that time to defending your case.
Our law firm, Philip Kim Law, P.C., operates in Lawrenceville, Gwinnett County, and the North Metro Atlanta area. Our team has hands-on experience in cases of DUI, drug charges, sex offenses, violent crimes, theft, and even traffic violation cases in the Gwinnett County Court system.
With hundreds of successful cases under our belt, and just as many satisfied customers, at Philip Kim Law, you can find the right Gwinnett County DUI lawyer for you. Even if it isn’t your first court appearance or if you need a Gwinnett Superior Court lawyer, we are here for you! You don’t have to face this battle alone. Contact us at (470) 745-8879 for a free consultation on your case.
Expert Counsel for Gwinnett County DUI Court
What You Need to Know About DUI Cases in Gwinnett County Court
A Gwinnett County DUI arrest will result in administrative and criminal proceedings. These will begin at the Gwinnett County Recorders Court and can be heard in the Gwinnett State Court and one of the many municipal courts in Gwinnett County, including Lawrenceville, Duluth, Suwanee, Sugar Hill, Buford, Dacula, Lilburn, Snellville, Loganville, and Norcross.
You just have 30 calendar days to obtain a driver’s license hearing to avoid losing your license administratively before being convicted in criminal court.
There are deadlines in criminal court as well, such as submitting motions before or within ten days after arrangement, which are otherwise waived. Furthermore, before actually negotiating any plea deals or deciding to go to trial, any competent DUI lawyer will obtain:
- Initial police incident reports
- Supplemental police incident reports
- Accident reports
- 911 tapes
- Police body camera video
- Police dash camera video
- Private surveillance video
Apart from this, they will typically place the police under oath at a motion hearing or license hearing to obtain the whole story. You never know what a police officer would say till you put them on the witness stand under oath.
Expected Sentence for DUI Cases in Gwinnett County Court
If you thought a first DUI charge was minor, you’d think otherwise after an arrest. Any charge of DUI is a significant legal issue. A DUI conviction may have a long-term influence on your life; not only will your criminal record show that you were convicted of DUI, but you might also face up to a year in jail, $1,000 in penalties, a year of license suspension, and 40 hours of community service.
Gwinnett County DUI Court Assistance Now
Consult with Experienced Lawyers
At Philip Kim Law, P.C., our leading attorney can anticipate the opposing side’s tactics in your case and fight back on your behalf. Our firm is solely dedicated to DUI defense, drug charges, sex offenses, violent crimes, theft, and traffic violation cases, and we are ready to assist you at any given time!
Contact us at (470) 745-8879 for a free consultation on your case, and learn more about the Gwinnett State Court, DUI charges, and more! If you are curious about the details of your case, such as your court date and other vital information, you can always speak to a trusted case search lawyer and learn more. Seek powerful legal representation in Gwinnett County State Court with Philip Kim Law, P.C.!
FAQ About the Gwinnett DUI Court Program
What Type of Court Case Is a DUI?
In the state of Georgia, a DUI is mostly a misdemeanor offense. However, in some instances, DUI cases can be classified as felonies. If you were charged with a felony DUI offense, your case will be redirected to the respective county’s Superior Court.
What Is DUI Court Georgia?
In many counties throughout Georgia, a DUI Court can be viewed as a type of treatment and prevention program supervised by the state or superior court judge. The DUI Court aims to give offenders a second chance. It hopes to reduce the number of people who abuse drugs and alcohol and drive under the influence. DUI Court can also refer to the typical court processes that occur prior to sentencing.
What Is Sobriety Court?
In Georgia, the sobriety court’s program is a viable option for certain offenders convicted of felonies or other substance-related offenses. These individuals have to attend a court-supervised drug and alcohol rehabilitation program and other similar ones and meet certain requirements to facilitate a sober future.
Can You Win a DUI Trial?
You can win a Georgia DUI trial if you have the proper DUI defense attorney by your side. The law firm you decide to work with will do what it can to determine if there are any possible defenses to your case. Furthermore, they will prepare you for your DUI trial in various ways, from how to present yourself to necessary evidence that may impact your trial results.
How Much Does a DUI Lawyer Cost?
A DUI attorney would cost you from a few bucks to several grand dollars depending on the case’s complexity and charges. Some lawyers charge a per-hour rate while others charge based on the case.
Gwinnett County DUI Court Lawyer
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Lawrenceville, GA 30046
