Gwinnett County DUI Guide

DUI Arrest in Gwinnett County, GA: Complete Guide

Being arrested for DUI can be a disorienting experience. In Gwinnett County, navigating the legal process requires understanding specific deadlines, court procedures, and local resources. This guide provides a roadmap for what to do immediately following a DUI arrest, helping you understand your rights and options. The path through a DUI charge in Gwinnett County is a minefield of deadlines and distinct bureaucratic spheres.

Immediate Steps (First 24 Hours)

Following a DUI arrest by the Gwinnett County Police Department or the Gwinnett County Sheriff’s Office, you will be transported to the Gwinnett County Detention Center located at 2900 University Parkway, Lawrenceville, GA. The booking process involves fingerprinting, photographing, and recording your personal information. You will be allowed to make phone calls, typically after the initial booking procedures are complete.

Most first-time DUI offenders are eligible for bond. If you can post bond quickly, you may be released without seeing a Magistrate Judge immediately. However, if you remain in custody, you will appear before a Magistrate Judge for a bond hearing, usually within 48 to 72 hours of your arrest. This hearing is often conducted via video link from the jail.

Critical Deadlines

Several critical deadlines must be met to protect your driving privileges and legal rights:

• ALS Hearing Request: You have 30 calendar days from the "Date of Service" on the DS-1205 form (the date you were arrested) to request an Administrative License Suspension (ALS) hearing. Failure to do so will result in an automatic suspension of your driver's license on Day 46.
• IIDLP Election: Alternatively, within those same 30 days, you can elect to install an Ignition Interlock Device Limited Driving Permit (IIDLP), waiving your right to a hearing but allowing you to drive with an IID installed.
• Court Appearance Dates: Arraignment is the formal reading of charges. Defense attorneys almost universally file a "Waiver of Arraignment" to prevent the defendant from attending the arraignment hearing physically. Pre-trial motions, specifically Motions to Suppress Evidence, must be filed at or before arraignment, or within 10 days of the date of arraignment

DUI Enforcement in Gwinnett County

DUI enforcement in Gwinnett County is conducted by both the Gwinnett County Police Department (GCPD) and the Gwinnett County Sheriff's Office (GCSO).

Local Resources

• State Court of Gwinnett County: Gwinnett Justice and Administration Center, 75 Langley Drive, Lawrenceville.
• Superior Court of Gwinnett County: Gwinnett Justice and Administration Center (GJAC)
• Duluth Municipal Court (Public Safety Building): 3276 Buford Hwy, Duluth, GA 30096.
• Gwinnett County Police Department (GCPD): 770 Hi-Hope Road, Lawrenceville, GA.
• Gwinnett County Sheriff’s Office (GCSO): 2900 University Parkway, Lawrenceville, GA 30043.
• Lawrenceville Customer Service Center (DDS): 310 Hurricane Shoals Rd NE, Lawrenceville, GA 30046. Phone: (678) 413-8400. Open Tue-Fri: 7:30am-6:30pm; Sat: 7:30am-12:00pm.
• Norcross Customer Service Center (DDS): 2211 Beaver Ruin Rd, Norcross, GA 30071. Phone: (678) 413-8400. Open Tue-Fri: 7:30am-6:30pm; Sat: 7:30am-12:00pm.
• To locate a licensed bail bondsman, [Title 44 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated (O.C.G.A.)](Title 44 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated (O.C.G.A.)) regulates the business of bonding in Georgia.

What Makes Gwinnett County Different

Several factors make navigating a DUI arrest in Gwinnett County unique:

• OSAH Hearing Location: Unlike Superior and State Courts located in the Gwinnett Justice and Administration Center (GJAC), the Office of State Administrative Hearings (OSAH) often holds hearings at the Duluth Municipal Court (Public Safety Building), located at 3276 Buford Hwy, Duluth, GA 30096. However, the City of Duluth explicitly warns that "OSAH does not have an office in this building" and that city staff "do not have any direct knowledge about any of the OSAH cases". Always verify the hearing location on your "Notice of Hearing".
• Video Evidence Fees: Obtaining body camera footage from the Gwinnett County Police Department costs $0.50 per minute, potentially making comprehensive discovery expensive. Dashcam video, in contrast, is a flat $10.00.
• DUI Court Program: Gwinnett County offers a DUI Court Program for repeat offenders, an intensive therapeutic program designed to reduce recidivism.
• Strict Deadlines: The 10-Day Rule is critical. Pre-trial motions, specifically Motions to Suppress Evidence, must be filed at or before arraignment, or within 10 days of the date of arraignment. Failure to file these motions within the window generally results in the waiver of the right to challenge the legality of the stop, the arrest, or the chemical tests (breath/blood).
• ALS Hearing Request Mailing: When requesting an ALS hearing, the $150 fee and letter must be sent via Certified Mail to P.O. Box 80447, Conyers, GA 30013—not dropped off at the Lawrenceville office—to ensure a defensible paper trail.

To request an accident report from the Gwinnett County Police Department, you can visit buycrash.com, where the fee is $5.00.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Where will my ALS hearing likely be held in Gwinnett County? A: While the Notice of Hearing is the definitive source, many Gwinnett-based ALS hearings have historically been held at the Duluth Municipal Court (Public Safety Building) located at 3276 Buford Hwy, Duluth, GA 30096.

Q: How much does it cost to get body camera footage from my Gwinnett County DUI arrest? A: The Gwinnett County Police Department charges $0.50 per minute for body camera footage.

Q: Where do I mail my ALS hearing request and fee? A: Mail your ALS hearing request and $150 fee via Certified Mail to P.O. Box 80447, Conyers, GA 30013.

Find a local DUI attorney in our attorney directory or browse licensed bail bondsmen serving Gwinnett County.

Sources

• Gwinnett Courts Case Search
• Gwinnett County Courts Contact Information
• Gwinnett County DUI Court
• Gwinnett County Accountability Court Programs
• Lawrenceville DDS Office
• Administrative License Suspension (ALS) Hearing Requests - Georgia Department of Driver Services
• Frequently Asked Questions - OSAH - Georgia Office of State Administrative Hearings
• Hearings by Telephone or Video - Georgia Office of State Administrative Hearings
• State Hearings/ Child Support - Welcome to Duluth, GA