Experienced Clayton County DUI Lawyer

Bill Hardman has represented clients in DUI cases in Clayton County. He is familiar with the State Court in Clayton County. Bill is has also represented clients for many types of criminal cases in Clayton County including DUI, drug possession, probation revocation, and speeding tickets (if you pay any traffic ticket online, you have plead guilty to the charge and have waived any rights you had to challenge your case or chance at any reduction in points on your driver's license). If you have been arrested for any crime in Clayton County, please give our office a call to discuss your case.   

Clayton County Justice Center 9151 Tara Boulevard Jonesboro, GA 30236

If you have been arrested for a DUI in Clayton County or any city in Clayton County it is important to remember these important steps in your case:

• 30-Day Letter- You only have 30 days from the date of your arrest to file for an appeal of the administrative suspension of your driver's license or request an ignition interlock device limited permit. You must send in a letter to the Georgia Department of Drivers Services to request a hearing on the administrative suspension of your license. This is a separate case from your criminal case!  This case will be heard in the Office of State Administrative Hearings Court. This court is usually held at the Clayton County Courthouse but it is not the same case as your criminal case. The main issue or consequence at this hearing is that your Georgia Driver's license may be suspended for a period of one year. Also important is the fact that under any Implied Consent suspension, you will not be eligible for a limited driving permit or a work permit. 
• ALS Hearing-You should receive a court date in the mail that will let you know when your hearing on the administrative license suspension will be held. This is a crucial part of every DUI case because it allows your attorney to meet with the officer who arrested you in your case to see whether there may be a resolution to your administrative case without a license suspension. Your attorney will also be able to better understand the arresting officer's position in your criminal case as well as determine what some of the evidence may be. 
• Arraignment-Your first court appearance will typically be your arraignment. At this hearing, you will have the right to have your charges formally read aloud in court or you may waive the reading of your charges. At this time you also will either plead guilty, not guilty, nolo, and demand either a bench or jury trial. 
• Motions-If you or your attorney has filed a motion to suppress your DUI arrest or any other aspect to you DUI arrest, then you may have a motion hearing that is scheduled prior to trial.
• Trial-You may have a bench trial or a jury trial in Clayton County State Court. Clayton County State Court has jurisdiction over all misdemeanor offense charges in Clayton County. If you have a bench trial then the Judge determines the facts and the law. If you have a jury trial in Clayton County State Court, a jury of 6 people will hear your case and determine the facts. A jury trial is one of the most important aspects of being an American citizen. The 6th Amendment of the United States Constitution guarantees your right to a speedy and public trial by jury in the district where you have been charged with the crime. It also guarantees that you are able to confront the witnesses against you, call witnesses in your favor and have the right to the assistance of a lawyer in your case. Your trial is where you are able to challenge the field sobriety tests, any statements made by any witnesses against you, any statements or reports made by the arresting officer, or any other evidence against you. Certain evidence may or may not be admissible so it is important that you have an experienced Georgia DUI attorney represent you in your case.  

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It is important that you speak with a licensed Georgia attorney about your DUI case as soon as possible after your arrest to make sure that you are doing everything to challenge your DUI charge and combat any potential effect on your Georgia Driver's License and your criminal record. If you demand a jury trial in any city in Clayton County in your DUI case, your trial will be held in the State Court of Clayton County. 

Clayton County DUI
If you are arrested for DUI in Clayton County and would like to ask us questions about your DUI case or your driver's license, please give our office a call or fill out the free and confidential DUI online inquiry form below. If you fill out this form Bill Hardman will call you to discuss your DUI case. 

Submit questions about your Clayton County DUI case

The Clayton County Courthouse is located:
9151 Tara Boulevard
Jonesboro, GA 30236