Alpharetta DUI Information
What to know if you've been charged with an Alpharetta DUI
A couple of drinks at the Village Tavern after work and all of the sudden there’s blue lights in the rear-view mirror. A Guinness or two at the Olde Blind Dog and you get pulled over for speeding. Coming home up 400 after beers at the Braves game and now you’ve got a DUI. Do you need an accomplished, professional Alpharetta DUI attorney who knows his way around the Alpharetta Municipal and Fulton County State Courts? With 20 years of experience defending DUI arrests, George C. Creal, Jr., P.C., Trial Lawyers is the Real Deal Alpharetta, GA DUI Firm. We know the Alpharetta Justice System like the back of our hand. We know the Courts, the Judge, the Prosecutor, and the Police, and they know we are able and willing to fight for each and every one of our clients’ rights. If you need to contact the Alpharetta Municipal Court, or a Judge or Solicitor, Click Here.
The National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration (NHSTA) training manuals in DUI Detection and Field Sobriety Evaluations are used by Police agencies all over the United States. These manuals are central to how we will evaluate your DUI defense and create a strategy to win your case. We have thoroughly studied these manuals and use our knowledge to establish how DUI evaluations are unreliable, inaccurate, and abused by police. We expose the flaws inherent to Georgia DUI investigations in order to prove your innocence. For more information on a strong DUI defense, visit our Alpharetta DUI Defense Guide.
Dedicated Alpharetta DUI Lawyers Determined to Fight for Your Interests – Aggressive DUI Representation You Deserve
We have handled thousands of DUI cases, had hundreds of DUI arrests reduced to reckless driving and other non-DUI traffic offenses, and tried over of one hundred DUI Jury Trials. Unlike other Alpharetta DUI lawyers, we have valuable Not Guilty Jury Trial Experience, which is rarer than you might realize. Ask other lawyers when was the last time they heard a jury say the words “Not Guilty” in a DUI Trial. You will be surprised how many so-called “expert DUI lawyers” cannot give you a straight answer.
PULLED OVER AND SUSPECTED OF DUI?
If it’s the First Time or Next Time, it’s Always Good to be Prepared. Even if you’re not technically DUI, if there is an odor of alcohol on your breath you are likely to be arrested and taken to jail. If the police cannot arrest you for DUI per se (blowing over 0.08), they’ll most likely arrest you for DUI less safe: blowing under the legal limit, but being “less safe” to drive because of the presence of alcohol or drugs.
Hiring an Alpharetta DUI Attorney
For Our Firm, Client Communication is Essential
We do not hesitate to give you our office numbers, cell phone numbers, and email address. If you call, text or email us about your case, we will contact you as soon as possible and never in more than 24 hours. We understand you are nervous about your Alpharetta DUI arrest, but with our firm you can relax. We represent a diverse group of DUI and traffic clients every single day throughout the State of Georgia and always ensure that our clients receive the care and respect they deserve. Our goal is that at the end of your case you feel confident recommending us to your closest friends and relatives. For our firm, customer service is priority number one.
You can meet us in person at our office or we can start your case over the phone or internet. We know you are busy and we value your time. We will take care of your DUI case so you can get back to what matters in life: work, friends, and family. Our first consultation is always free and we will send an ALS DUI license hearing request letter for free as long as you pay the Georgia Department of Driver Services’ $150.00 filing fee. In order to request a hearing, these letters must be sent within ten business days of your arrest, so please contact us quickly if you would like us to send a letter.
We handle all Georgia DUI cases including those with or without breath and/or blood test results, refusals of blood, breath or urine, and cases with or without Standardized Field Sobriety Evaluations. We have handled DUI accidents and DUI fatalities, DUI drugs, fleeing and eluding police, marijuana possession, and felony and misdemeanor obstruction. Believe us, there is no set of facts our Alpharetta DUI attorneys haven’t seen at least once. Our DUI defense procedure is highly refined and has proven over time to be a formula for success. We do not miss critical facts and seize even the most difficult DUI acquittals.
How to Hire a Lawyer for an Alpharetta DUI
An Alpharetta DUI is Serious and Can Result in Jail Time, Fines, and Lengthy License Suspensions – DO NOT Try to Represent Yourself
Under Georgia law for a first DUI you can be fined up to $1000.00 with 40% tacked on as court costs, spend up to 12 months, do 40 hours community service, be subject to drug and alcohol testing for one year and serve 12 months of reporting probation. Your license can be suspended anywhere from 120 days to 5 years. Do not try to handle your DUI without an experienced Alpharetta DUI attorney.
Advice as to who you decide to hire as your Alpharetta DUI lawyer: 1) Don’t hire a DUI lawyer based solely on price. Sometimes the cheapest lawyer–especially if they plea you to a DUI you don’t deserve at the first opportunity–can be the most expensive. Cost per hour is the best way to compare lawyers. If a lawyer charges $1000, but only spends an hour on your case, that’s $1000 dollars an hour! We, unlike bargain basement firms, spend an average of 10 hours on every DUI case. 2) Ask any attorney that you speak with whether he/she has tried any DUI jury trials and how many not guilty verdicts he/she has received in the past 2 years; 3) Ask any attorney that you speak with whether he/she has studied police field sobriety training manuals and breath test machine, owner’s and area supervisor’s manuals. If not, they cannot adequately cross examine DUI police officers or breath test operators. A DUI lawyer who can’t answer these questions is not ready for a real DUI jury trial and is not worth your time and money.
An Alpharetta DUI lawyer is standing by. Call TODAY (404) 333-0706 or email us at [email protected] to for a FREE CONSULTATION.
Alpharetta Municipal and Fulton County State Court Information
The Alpharetta Municipal Court is located at:
12624 Broadwell Road
Alpharetta, GA 30004
The Municipal Court hears and adjudicates cases involving possible violations of City Ordinances and certain state laws. The Municipal Judge shall maintain law and order in the City to resolve disputes and to comply with the Constitution of the United States, the Constitution and laws of the State of Georgia, and the Charter and Code of Ordinances of the City of Alpharetta.
The Alpharetta Municipal court also oversees the Alpharetta Violations Bureau, which provides the following services:
- Holds Traffic and State Court.
- Handles City ordinances, Traffic, and some Misdemeanor cases.
- Manages all Court records, and
- Handles all payments before and during court as well as other managerial functions.
Visit Alpharetta Municipal Court for more information.
Office Hours
Monday- Friday 8:00 a.m – 5:00 p.m.
Telephone: (678) 297-6250
Fax: (678) 297-6251
Thursdays: Pleas / Trials / Motions
@ 9:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m.
CLERK OF COURT
Elizabethh Sahlin
Phone: (678) 297-6250
Fax: (678) 297-6251
SOLICITOR
Fran Shoenthal – [email protected]
JUDGE
Jim Mahoney – [email protected]
Fulton County State Court
COURT ADMIN: Cicely Barber – (404) 613-4245 – [email protected]
CHIEF CLERK: Mark N. Harper – (404) 613-4245 – [email protected]
CHIEF JUDGE: Patsy Y. Porter – Division B – Courtroom 2D – (404) 613-4345
JUDGE: John R. Mather – Division G – Courtroom 2E – (404) 613-4110
JUDGE: Eric Richardson – Division F – Courtroom 2F – (404) 613-4510
JUDGE: Jane Morrison– Division E – Courtroom 3E – (404) 613-4311
JUDGE: Myra H. Dixon – Division C – Courtroom 3A – (404) 613-4295
JUDGE: Diane E. Bessen – Division J – Courtroom 3D – (404) 613-7760
JUDGE: Fred C. Eady – Division Y – Courtroom 3B – (404) 613-5410
JUDGE: Susan E. Edlein – Division D – Courtroom 2A – (404) 613-0490
JUDGE: Jay M. Roth – Division A – Courtroom 3F – (404) 613-4330
JUDGE: Wesley B. Tailor – Division H -Courtroom 3C – (404) 613-4497
Fulton County State Court is located at:
Justice Center Tower
185 Central Avenue
Atlanta, Georgia 30303
Telephone: (404) 613-5002
Fulton County Solicitor’s Office
160 Pryor St, Suite J-301
Atlanta, GA 30303
SOLICITOR GENERAL: Keith Gammage – (404) 612-4800
Important Steps for a Proper DUI Defense in Alpharetta, Georgia
Dedicated Alpharetta DUI Lawyers Determined to Fight for Your Interests – Aggressive DUI Representation You Deserve
We have handled thousands of DUI cases, had hundreds of DUI arrests reduced to reckless driving and other non-DUI traffic offenses, and tried over of one hundred DUI Jury Trials. Unlike other Alpharetta DUI lawyers, we have valuable Not Guilty Jury Trial Experience, which is rarer than you might realize. Ask other lawyers when was the last time they heard a jury say the words “Not Guilty” in a DUI Trial. You will be surprised how many so-called “expert DUI lawyers” cannot give you a straight answer.
1. Obtain a Police and Georgia State Patrol Incident Report:
To obtain a police report contact the Alpharetta Police Department Records Division at (678) 297-6306 or fill out electronic records request and:
Email it to: [email protected];
Print and fax it to (678) 297-6331; or
Print and mail it to:
2565 Old Milton Parkway
Alpharetta GA, 30009
Incident reports may also be obtained in person at the Alpharetta Department of Public Safety located at the address above.
Incident Reports from the Georgia State Patrol can be obtained in person or requested via:
Georgia State Patrol
959 E Confederate Ave Se
Atlanta, GA 30316
(404) 699-4368
2. Obtain Your Criminal and Driving History:
A seven-year driving history from the Georgia State Patrol and a criminal history record from the Georgia Criminal Information Center (GCIC) is important in deciding on an appropriate defense strategy.
For further information regarding GCIC, contact:
Georgia Crime Information Center
CCH/Identification Services
P.O. Box 370808
Decatur, Georgia 30037-0808
Fax: 404-270-8417
Email: [email protected] for questions regarding criminal history updates/modifications. Or [email protected] for questions regarding employment, licensing visa (travel), or any other non-criminal justice purpose.
Telephone Helpline:
- Option 1: Criminal History Inquiries regarding Expungement or Updates.
- Option 2: Applicant Background Information
- Option 3: Attorney or Public Defender
- Option 4: Livescan or Identification Inquiries
- Option 5: Internet Felon Criminal History
You can obtain a Seven Year Driving History from the Georgia Department of Driver Services online, in person, or by mail. A seven-year driving history costs $8.00.
Proper identification is required. If obtaining a motor vehicle record other than your own, the following is required:
- A signed authorization from the licensee naming the person authorized to receive the record. Form DDS-18(Request for Motor Vehicle Record [MVR]) is available for this purpose but is not required.
- The authorization form or letter must be original. Faxes or copies are not acceptable.
- The full name, date of birth, and Georgia driver’s license number of the licensee.
- The person receiving the report for another individual must show proper identification.
By Mail: You can obtain a copy of your Driving History (MVR) by submitting a letter (or Form DDS-18) requesting a 7-year MVR. The request should include the following:
- Your full name as it appears on your driver’s license
- Driver’s license number
- Date of birth
- Complete mailing address
- Self-addressed, stamped envelope
To obtain a copy of a Driving History (MVR) for someone else, please complete Form DDS-18 with all required signatures and information. Requests may be mailed to:
Georgia Department of Driver Services
MVR Request
Post Office Box 80447
Conyers, Georgia 30013
The fee is $6.00 for a 3-year history and $8.00 for a 7-year history. You may pay by personal or business check, money order, cashier’s check, or credit card. DDS accepts Visa, Mastercard, Discover, and American Express by mail. If paying by credit card and include with your request: Credit Card Authorization Form, Checks, money orders, and cashier’s checks should be made payable to the Department of Driver Services.
3. Attend DUI School
For first-time offenders, it is a good idea to attend DUI school. A DUI school certificate can be useful in the circumstances of an administrative license suspension. For repeat offenders, immediately attend and document Alcoholics Anonymous meetings and obtain a drug and alcohol evaluation from a qualified psychologist. Information concerning Georgia DUI alcohol and drug evaluations and how to set up an appointment for an evaluation can be found here: http://www.atlantapsych.com/article/georgia-dui-law. Our firm Recommends Darrell Grizzle, Ed. S. He provides all the required drug and alcohol evaluations at reasonable rates.
4. Revisit the Scene of Arrest.
Photograph the scene of the arrest in order to discover discrepancies in the police report regarding the initial stop and the reasonableness of the field evaluations like the one-leg stand and walk and turn.
5. Request a hearing with the Department of Driver Services:
Requesting a hearing with the Department of Driver Services within ten business days of the arrest may prevent an administrative license suspension. We will prepare and send a license letter to the Department of Driver Services free of charge ($150 DDS processing fee not included) even if you do not retain our firm.
6. Hire a DUI Lawyer:
Hire an experienced Georgia DUI lawyer. Never attempt self-representation in a DUI case. Georgia DUI law is very complicated, and to ensure a positive case result, is best left to experienced, professional lawyers.
