What To Expect At Your Georgia DUI Arraignment

If you are arrested in Georgia for a DUI, unless you have been in this position before, you may not be sure what exactly is going to happen to you or how the process works. What you can expect is to be given a date and time to show up for a court hearing. This information will actually be on the ticket that is issued to you by the arresting officer. You are required to show up to your court date, or if you have an attorney, then they may go to court on your behalf.

From start to finish, the process can feel overwhelming especially if you are unsure what is going to happen and what your rights are. Soon after a DUI arrest in Georgia, connecting with a legal professional puts you in a good position to defend yourself and secure the best possible outcome for your case. The DeKalb County DUI attorneys at Hawkins Spizman Trial Attorneys have the qualifications and background to help you throughout the entire process.

Mike Hawkins is Board Certified in DUI Defense by the National College for DUI Defense, as recognized by the American Bar Association.  As of this writing, there are only 4 lawyers in Georgia who have passed the board certification exam.

Your First Court Date After a DUI Arrest in Georgia

Each DUI arrest is different but having a court date scheduled is something that is going to happen for everyone. The first court date after your arrest is your arraignment. During this hearing, the judge will read the charges against you and also let you know what your rights are for legal counsel. If you are unable to afford an attorney, you can have the court appoint one for you. Then, the proceedings will be stopped until the next hearing where you will be represented by your attorney. At this second hearing, you can enter your plea of guilty or not guilty.

Though if you already have legal counsel, then during your arraignment you can enter your plea. After this, an investigation will ensue. Your attorney will begin building your defense. Potentially, there may be evidence that your attorney can have excluded from being used against you. Your attorney could also file a motion to have your case dismissed entirely. If your case is not dismissed, then you will have a trial.

It is important to take your court date seriously and be prepared for it. When you go to your arraignment you may be able to get in and out fairly quickly or you could be waiting quite a while. Often, when you already have an attorney, the process can move along a bit faster. You should dress conservatively in a business casual way. Looking clean and put together shows that you have respect for the court and the process. Also, you should keep yourself calm and collected and be courteous to others.

Speak to a DUI Attorney in Atlanta Today

The first hearing, or the arraignment, could go quickly with little happening especially if you arrive with an attorney by your side. Due to the far-reaching negative outcomes and harsh criminal penalties that can come with a conviction, working with a legal professional experienced in handling DUI cases and having a track record of positive outcomes will be advantageous. For assistance after a DUI arrest, the Atlanta DUI lawyers at Hawkins Spizman Trial Attorneys are here for you to meet during a free consultation. Please call 770-685-6400.

Hawkins Spizman Trial Attorneys represent individuals in Georgia including Atlanta, Dunwoody, Alpharetta, Cobb County, Fulton County, Gwinnett County, Johns Creek, and Sandy Springs.

Source:

dds.georgia.gov/dui-faqs