Robichaux Law Firm Robichaux Law Firm 2026-06-18T15:46:16Z https://www.robichauxlawfirm.com/feed/atom/ WordPress /wp-content/uploads/sites/1304355/2025/12/cropped-site-icon-32x32.png On Behalf of Robichaux Law Firm <![CDATA[What is Georgia’s 30-day rule after a DUI arrest?]]> https://www.robichauxlawfirm.com/?p=46657 2026-06-18T15:46:16Z 2026-06-18T15:46:16Z Why the first 30 days after your arrest matter The 30-day rule generally refers to the deadline connected to an administrative license suspension after a DUI arrest. This process is separate from your criminal case. Your arrest does not automatically lead to a conviction. However, your driver's license may face consequences even while your criminal case remains pending. Because the administrative process begins quickly, you may not realize that you face a separate deadline involving your driving privileges.

What can happen if you miss the deadline

Missing the 30-day deadline can affect your available options regarding your driving privileges. Depending on the circumstances, you may experience consequences such as:
  • Losing certain opportunities to address the license suspension
  • Facing restrictions on your driving privileges
  • Encountering disruptions to your daily transportation needs
  • Managing additional challenges related to work or family obligations
  • Dealing with a separate license process while your criminal case remains pending
For many people, the ability to drive affects everyday responsibilities. Changes to driving privileges can make it harder to commute to work, attend appointments or manage family obligations.

Why the first month after your arrest deserves your attention

The first month after a DUI arrest can feel overwhelming. You may spend this time trying to understand what happened, dealing with the stress of an arrest and considering how changes to your driving privileges could affect your daily life. Every DUI case involves its own facts and circumstances. The first 30 days can involve both the administrative process related to your license and the criminal proceedings arising from your arrest, which is why this period frequently becomes a source of confusion and concern after a DUI arrest.]]> On Behalf of Robichaux Law Firm <![CDATA[Drug possession vs intent to sell in Savannah student cases]]> https://www.robichauxlawfirm.com/?p=46655 2026-04-23T12:59:18Z 2026-04-23T12:39:50Z life in Savannah can feel like a fresh start, especially around campuses like Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) and Savannah State University (SSU). Still, a single encounter with law enforcement involving controlled substances can raise serious concerns. You may hear terms like “possession” or “intent to distribute,” and the difference between them often shapes how a case moves forward under Georgia law. Understanding how prosecutors generally view these situations can help you see the factors that may carry the most weight.

Understanding possession under Georgia law

According to Georgia law, drug possession cases generally apply when someone has a controlled substance for personal use. For students, that situation might involve small amounts found in a dorm room, backpack or vehicle. Even so, the details of the situation matter. Law enforcement and prosecutors often look at the full context, not just the substance itself. As a result, surrounding facts can shape whether a case stays at simple possession or moves into a more serious category.

Recognizing when possession shifts to intent

A charge of possession with intent to distribute can carry more serious potential consequences than simple possession. This charge often comes up when authorities believe the substance was not meant only for personal use. Several factors may raise concerns about intent, including:
  • Quantity: Amounts that appear higher than what a person would typically use personally
  • Packaging: Items like multiple small baggies, envelopes or containers that suggest preparation for distribution
  • Other items: Scales, large amounts of cash or multiple phones that may suggest sales activity
These factors do not automatically prove intent. Instead, they often guide how officials evaluate and charge a case.

Addressing why student cases may feel complicated

As a student, you might find it surprising how quickly a situation can shift from a misunderstanding to a serious charge. Because campuses like SCAD and Savannah State sit within active city areas, interactions with law enforcement may happen more often than expected. Prosecutors may also look at location, behavior and other surrounding circumstances when reviewing a case. Because of that, two similar situations may still lead to different outcomes depending on the specific facts involved.

Identifying key differences in case outcomes

Drug cases in Georgia often turn on small but important details. A few key differences include:
  • Focus on use: Simple possession cases often center on personal use and smaller amounts
  • Focus on distribution: Intent to distribute cases often involve circumstances that suggest sharing or selling
Even minor details, such as how you store or package an item, may influence how Georgia law views a charge.

Final thoughts on understanding the stakes

Drug-related charges in Savannah student cases often depend on how authorities interpret the situation at the time of the encounter. While possession and intent to distribute relate to the same general topic, Georgia law treats them as separate offenses with different levels of severity. Understanding those differences may help you better follow how a case develops through the legal process.]]> On Behalf of Robichaux Law Firm <![CDATA[Two Sides of the Same Coin: How a Former Prosecutor’s Mindset Wins Defense Cases]]> https://www.robichauxlawfirm.com/?p=46639 2026-02-10T09:35:09Z 2026-02-10T09:35:09Z Facing criminal charges in Savannah or Chatham County can leave you feeling exposed and uncertain about your future. A lawyer who once worked as a prosecutor knows how the other side thinks and what evidence they look for. That experience helps them spot weaknesses, secure better outcomes and clearly explain your options.

The strategic advantage of a former prosecutor

Prosecutors are the gatekeepers in Georgia's judicial system. They decide which charges to file and which evidence to use at trial. A former prosecutor can defend you in three clear ways:
  • Anticipate the state’s playbook: They can spot holes in police reports and pinpoint where the evidence falls short of proof beyond a reasonable doubt.
  • Negotiate smarter plea deals: They can tell when prosecutors pile on charges to pressure you into a plea and recognize when they may be willing to make a deal.
  • Bring trial-ready instincts to court: Prosecutors spend more time in the courtroom than almost any other type of lawyer. That comfort level in front of Savannah judges and juries translates to a more confident, aggressive defense if your case goes to trial.
Lawyers who used to prosecute understand how the state builds cases and which evidence matters. This firsthand knowledge lets them anticipate tactics, expose weaknesses and negotiate more effectively on your behalf.

The instructor advantage

Former prosecutors who trained police understand police culture and the routine mistakes officers make on calls. They see how police collect and organize reports, mishandle evidence or influence shaky eyewitness accounts. This is the same knowledge they use to spot and challenge legal issues in your case.

Work with someone who has been on both sides

One small mistake, like a missed witness, a pressured plea or sloppy paperwork, can ruin your future. A former prosecutor can identify those problems early and fight to protect your freedom, your job and your family. Do not gamble your life away. Work with a lawyer who knows the system and will pursue your right to a fair trial.]]> On Behalf of Robichaux Law Firm <![CDATA[3 police mistakes an ARIDE-certified DUI lawyer can find]]> https://www.robichauxlawfirm.com/?p=46524 2026-03-30T08:22:31Z 2026-01-08T15:05:26Z A DUI stop often moves quickly. An officer may form a theory early and then interpret everything through that lens. When alcohol or drugs are suspected, small missteps can carry real weight later. An ARIDE-certified DUI lawyer looks closely at how the investigation unfolded, not just what was alleged. That focus can matter because DUI cases often hinge on procedure, not assumptions.

Mistake one: Improper administration of field sobriety tests

Even when done perfectly, studies show that the Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus test is only about 77% accurate, the walk-and-turn about 68% and the one-leg stand about 65%. That’s why following the standard guidelines is crucial.  Now, deviating from the steps, giving unclear instructions or skipping demonstrations can reduce reliability and affect how a person performs. Conditions also play a role. Conducting tests on sloped pavement or in poor lighting can influence balance and eye movement. Highlighting these factors can show that results may reflect the environment or testing errors rather than actual impairment.

Mistake two: Drawing conclusions before completing the investigation

Some DUI cases show signs of early bias. Locking onto impairment before finishing the investigation can shape later observations. That can include interpreting normal behavior as suspicious or overlooking alternative explanations.  Identifying this pattern can raise concerns about whether conclusions were based on facts or on expectations formed too soon.

Mistake three: Misapplying ARIDE drug impairment indicators

ARIDE training requires careful separation of drug categories and symptoms. Errors often appear when observations do not match the claimed drug type. Reviewing the investigation may reveal issues such as:
  • Confusing medical conditions with drug-related signs
  • Mixing indicators from different drug categories
  • Relying on assumptions instead of documented observations
Pointing out these inconsistencies can help show that drug impairment conclusions lacked proper support.

Where details start to matter

DUI cases build step by step. Reviewing how officers gave tests and formed judgments can change the direction of a case. Careful review by an ARIDE-certified DUI lawyer can surface issues that are easy to miss but hard to ignore. For you, that can mean a clearer view of what truly supports the charges and what does not.]]>