Criminal Defense Attorney in Atlanta, GA — Criminal Lawyers Near You

A criminal defense attorney in Atlanta represents people charged with misdemeanors and felonies in Georgia's municipal, state, and superior courts. That work starts at arrest and bond. The work continues through negotiation, pretrial motions, and trial if the case goes that far. The work also covers traffic court cases.

The criminal lawyers at Kohn & Yager LLC bring 95 years of combined experience to that work. William C. "Bubba" Head, Larry Kohn, and Cory Yager have defended clients across metro Atlanta for decades. Each partner focuses on criminal and DUI defense rather than splitting time across unrelated practice areas.

Charges move quickly. Early decisions shape everything that follows. Call 404-567-5515 now for a free consultation, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Why Choose Our Atlanta Criminal Lawyers?

Not all criminal defense firms are equal. Our three-attorney firm focuses only on criminal law and traffic defense. We do not split attention with personal injury or divorce cases. Several things set us apart:

• 95 years of combined criminal defense experience across more than 10,000 cases
• Over 35 Super Lawyers recognitions – more than any criminal law firm our size in Georgia
• AV Preeminent rated by Martindale-Hubbell, the nation's oldest attorney rating service (since 1868)
• Listed in Best Lawyers in America and Best Law Firms in America (U.S. News & World Report) for over a decade
• Co-authors of The Georgia DUI Trial Practice Manual, the state's leading legal reference on DUI defense
• Board Certified DUI Defense – Bubba Head holds ABA board certification, one of only three active attorneys in Georgia with this credential

Atlanta Criminal Attorney Services

Our Atlanta criminal attorneys handle the full range of misdemeanor and felony charges in Georgia courts. About 70% of our caseload involves motor vehicle-related criminal offenses. That includes DUI defense. Our work covers every area of criminal law. We defend clients charged with:

• DUI / DWI (driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs)
• Traffic misdemeanors and serious traffic violations
• Vehicular homicide (VH1) and serious injury by vehicle (SIBV)
• Hit and run in Georgia
• Assault and battery/aggravated assault
• Drug possession and drug trafficking
• Theft crimes and shoplifting
• Sex crimes
• Domestic violence and family violence
• Gun crimes and weapons offenses
• Juvenile crimes
• Minor in possession (MIP) – MIP defense lawyer
• White-collar crimes and embezzlement
• Conspiracy and criminal trespass
• Probation revocation (VOP)

Motor vehicle crimes. Roughly 70% of the firm's caseload is motor vehicle related. That includes DUI, vehicular homicide, serious injury by vehicle, and hit and run. Georgia charges vehicular homicide under a statute of its own. The first degree version is a felony carrying years in prison. These cases almost always pair a criminal charge with a separate license consequence. A conviction can end driving privileges long after any sentence is served.

Violent offenses. Simple assault and simple battery are misdemeanors. The aggravated versions are not. Aggravated assault is defined by Georgia law. The statute reaches assaults committed with a deadly weapon or with intent to rob or rape. The felony exposure is large. Family violence claims add protective orders and firearm limits on top of the criminal case. Our criminal lawyers look first at the claimed injury, the weapon allegation, and any self-defense evidence.

Drug offenses. Georgia prosecutes possession, possession with intent to distribute, and trafficking under the Controlled Substances Act. The controlled substances statute sets out these offenses. The penalty turns on the drug's schedule and its weight. A few grams can separate a probation-eligible case from a mandatory minimum sentence. Search and seizure issues drive many of these cases. The evidence usually comes out of a car stop or a home search.

Theft and property crimes. Theft by taking is its own Georgia offense. That statute covers most shoplifting and employee theft claims. The value of the property draws the line between a misdemeanor and a felony. Card-based allegations run on their own statutes, and a credit card fraud lawyer reads those counts differently than a straight theft count. A theft conviction also creates a record that employers screen for. The sentence itself may matter less than the criminal record. Restitution, diversion, and later record restriction are often the real fight.

Gun, sex, juvenile, and federal charges. Each follows its own track. Gun cases often turn on whether the search that produced the weapon was lawful. Sex offenses carry registration consequences that outlast any sentence. Juvenile matters proceed in juvenile court under separate rules and timelines. Federal cases move through the Northern District of Georgia. Jail and sentencing rules differ sharply from state court. A criminal defense attorney should say at the start which track a case sits on.

A serious vehicular offense can involve death or severe injury. A conviction can bring up to 15 years in prison. That risk is why so many people trust our experienced Atlanta criminal lawyers with their defense.

DUI and DWI Defense at Our Atlanta Law Firm

Georgia law has no offense called DWI. The state code uses "driving under the influence." The DUI statute is the controlling law. A driver looking for a DWI law firm in Atlanta needs the same representation. So does a driver looking for a DUI lawyer. The label changes from state to state. The defense work does not.

Georgia sets three per se limits. Drivers 21 and over face a 0.08% blood alcohol limit. Drivers under 21 face a 0.02% limit. Commercial drivers face 0.04% while operating a commercial vehicle. A driver can also be charged with no test result at all. The charge can rest on impairment evidence alone.

Every DUI arrest creates two separate cases. The criminal charge proceeds in court. At the same time, the Georgia Department of Driver Services moves to suspend the license. Georgia's implied consent law governs that suspension. A driver who refuses or fails the state test faces a hard 30-day deadline. Within that window the driver must file the appeal letter or install an ignition interlock device. A missed deadline lets the suspension take effect no matter how the criminal case ends.

A defense usually attacks the evidence at several points. Was there a lawful basis for the stop? Were the field sobriety tests given the way the training manuals require? Were the breath machine's maintenance records current? Was the operator's permit current at the time of the test? Was the blood draw's chain of custody documented from the needle to the lab? Gaps in the logs can limit what a jury ever hears about a breath result. So can a lapsed operator permit.

Penalties rise fast. A first DUI is a misdemeanor. The charge still carries jail exposure, license suspension, fines, and required programs. A second conviction brings longer suspension and more jail. A third conviction within five years can trigger habitual violator status. That status can turn a later driving offense into a felony. A fourth DUI within ten years is charged as a felony outright. Outcomes depend on the facts, the county, and the arresting agency.

Bubba Head's ABA Board Certification in DUI defense anchors this part of our practice. He is one of only three active Georgia attorneys who hold it. That credential is one clear thing to weigh against any DWI law firm in Atlanta.

Atlanta Traffic Lawyers and Traffic Court Defense

Metro Atlanta courts see millions of traffic tickets every year. Georgia treats every moving violation as a misdemeanor crime. Jail time is technically possible. For most drivers, the real cost is different. License points, a permanent record, and higher insurance matter most.

Georgia assigns points to a license for moving violations. Fifteen points within 24 months brings a license suspension. Points age off over time. Several tickets in a short stretch can push a driver over the line fast.

Speeding cases carry an extra layer. Georgia's super speeder law adds a $200 state fee on top of the court fine. The fee applies to speeds of 75 mph or more on two-lane roads and 85 mph or more on highways. The Department of Driver Services bills that fee separately after the conviction. Drivers who ignore the notice face suspension for nonpayment.

A traffic conviction also creates a permanent criminal record. Insurers price that record for years. Employers who pull driving histories see it too. This matters most for anyone who holds a commercial license.

An experienced Atlanta traffic lawyer can often negotiate reduced charges. The lawyer can attend court on your behalf. The lawyer can also get cases dismissed entirely. A reduction to a non-moving violation may keep points off the license altogether. The real options depend on the court, the officer, and the driver's history.

Traffic defense sits inside our criminal practice rather than beside it. The same evidence rules govern both. The same courts apply. The same prosecutors appear. That is why the same attorneys who try felony cases also handle a speeding citation.

Atlanta Traffic Court Locations We Cover

Our attorneys appear in every major traffic court in metro Atlanta. We keep four offices across the metro area. Each one sits close to the courts where cases are heard.

The Atlanta Municipal Court at 150 Garnett Street is the busiest traffic court in Georgia. The court processes thousands of traffic and misdemeanor cases every month, and the case process there moves on a tight calendar. The court is open Monday through Friday, 7:00 AM to 4:30 PM. Our nearest office is at 235 Peachtree Street, Suite 400, Atlanta, GA 30303. That is about one mile from the courthouse. A jury trial request moves a case out of municipal court. The case then transfers to Fulton County State Court or DeKalb County State Court. The transfer depends on where the offense occurred. Our attorneys handle cases in both jurisdictions regularly.

Finding a Criminal Defense Attorney Near You in Metro Atlanta

Should you search for a criminal defense attorney near me and simply pick the closest office? Distance is the wrong first test. Georgia criminal cases are heard where the arrest happened. That is not where the lawyer parks. What matters is whether the attorney appears in that courthouse regularly.

Prosecutors, judges, and diversion programs vary from county to county. A charge may qualify for a pretrial diversion program in one metro county. The next county over may say no. Bond practices differ. Calendar rules differ. So do the informal deadlines that decide how fast a case moves. A lawyer who is in that courthouse every week already knows those patterns.

Our attorneys practice throughout Fulton, DeKalb, Cobb, Gwinnett, and Clayton counties, including north Fulton cities such as Alpharetta. Knowing which court hears a charge helps a client ask better questions:

• Municipal courts handle city ordinance violations and traffic citations.
• State courts handle misdemeanors and hold jury trials in those cases.
• Superior courts handle felony charges. Most felonies require a grand jury indictment.

What should you actually check when you search for a criminal lawyer near me? Case-type focus comes first. Some firms handle criminal and DUI matters all day. A general practice that takes them now and then is not the same. Verifiable credentials come next. Board certification from a recognized body is one clear example. Peer ratings should be confirmed at the source rather than trusted as a badge printed on a website. The last question is how many cases the attorney has tried to verdict. A lawyer who is ready to try a case bargains from a stronger position than one who is not.

Meet Our Atlanta Criminal Defense Attorneys

William C. "Bubba" Head – Senior Partner. Bubba Head is widely recognized as one of the top criminal defense attorneys in the United States. In 2003, the 800-member National College for DUI Defense (NCDD) named him the best DUI lawyer in America. He has been AV Preeminent rated by Martindale-Hubbell for nearly 30 consecutive years. He has been named to Best Lawyers in America many times since 2009. Mr. Head is one of only three active Georgia attorneys who hold ABA Board Certification in DUI defense. That credential marks the highest level of training in the field.

Larry Kohn – Partner. Larry Kohn began his career as a law clerk for Bubba Head in 1996. He was attending Georgia State University College of Law at the time. Since being admitted to the Georgia Bar in 1998, Larry has handled more than 5,000 criminal cases. Best Lawyers in America and Best Law Firms in America both recognize him as a leading criminal defense attorney. He has written more than 20 appeal briefs for the Georgia Court of Appeals and Georgia Supreme Court. Larry is a Super Lawyers honoree and AV Preeminent rated by Martindale-Hubbell.

Cory Yager. Cory Yager is a former law enforcement officer. That past gives him a rare view of criminal defense. He graduated second in his law school class and joined the firm in 2007. He trained for years under William Head. He became a named partner in 2015. He is rated 5.0 out of 5.0 by Martindale-Hubbell and has earned AV Preeminent status. His police background gives him deep insight into police procedures. He knows how officers collect evidence. He also knows where the state's case tends to break down.

Legitimate Attorney Rating Services

Clients choosing an Atlanta criminal attorney should tell real rating services apart from fake badges. Many fake badges and awards appear on law firm websites. Only a few services earn respect across the legal field:

• Martindale-Hubbell – America's oldest attorney rating service (est. 1868). All three of our partners hold AV Preeminent ratings.
• Best Lawyers in America – Peer-reviewed. Our firm has been listed for over 10 years.
• Best Law Firms in America (U.S. News & World Report) – Our firm is a recognized member.
• Super Lawyers – Peer-reviewed. Our attorneys have earned 35 plus combined recognitions since Georgia's inaugural listings in 2004.
• ABA Board Certification – The most rigorous credentialing process available to attorneys. William Head has held DUI defense board certification since 2000.

Office Locations

Four offices serve all of metro Atlanta:

• Main Office: 5600 Roswell Road, Building H, Suite 210. Sandy Springs, GA 30342, just inside I-285.
• Downtown Atlanta Office: 235 Peachtree Street, Suite 400, Atlanta, GA 30303
• Two additional metro Atlanta locations

Call 404-567-5515 – available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Your initial consultation is always free, and we offer flexible payment plans.

What Happens After a Criminal Arrest in Georgia

Georgia's criminal process follows a predictable order. Timing shifts by county and by charge.

First appearance and bond. After a warrantless arrest, a judge must hold a first appearance hearing. That hearing usually happens within 48 hours. The judge reviews probable cause, states the charges, and addresses bond. A judge weighs flight risk and danger to the community. The judge also weighs the risk to witnesses and the chance of new crimes. Defense counsel can show ties to the community. Counsel can also point to steady work and treatment options.

How charges get filed. Misdemeanors generally proceed by accusation. An accusation is a charging document the prosecutor files in state or municipal court. Felonies typically require a grand jury indictment in superior court. Grand juries meet on their own calendars. Weeks or months can pass between arrest and indictment. That gap is often the most useful stretch in the entire case.

Arraignment and plea. At arraignment the court reads the charges and takes a plea. A not guilty plea keeps every defense open. The plea also starts the pretrial period. A not guilty plea is a procedural step, not a statement about what happened.

Discovery and pretrial motions. The state must turn over its evidence. That includes reports, video, lab results, and witness lists. Defense counsel then files motions. A motion to suppress asks the judge to exclude evidence. The stop, search, or questioning must have been unlawful. If key evidence falls out at that hearing, the case can change shape entirely.

Negotiation or trial. Many cases resolve through a negotiated plea, a diversion program, or dismissal. Others go to trial. That choice usually arrives after the motions are heard. By then both sides can see how the evidence will look to a jury.

The earliest stage is often the best stage to win a case. Before charges are filed, defense counsel can hand the prosecutor evidence the police never gathered. Counsel can also correct a misread fact. Counsel can flag a legal problem with the stop. Prosecutors have more room to decline or reduce a charge before it goes on the record.

No schedule here is certain. Defendants should talk to a criminal defense attorney about their own circumstances rather than rely on a general outline.

Related Georgia Criminal Defense Resources

Criminal Defense Topics

• Simple Battery OCGA: What You Need to Know
• Theft Crime Defense in Georgia
• Robbery Crimes in Atlanta & Georgia
• Theft in Atlanta & Georgia
• Defenses Against Simple Battery Charges
• Penalties for Simple Battery in Georgia
• Georgia Felony Vehicular Homicide & Serious Injury Cases
• Georgia Violent Crimes Lawyer
• Charged With Abandonment in Georgia
• Minimum Sentence for Felon in Possession of a Firearm
• Cita en Corte por Manejar Sin Licencia en Georgia

Guides and Resources

• DUI History – Part 1
• DUI History – Part 2
• Georgia License Suspension & DDS Forms: Frequently Asked Questions

Georgia Statutes

• Georgia Criminal Damage to Property 2nd Degree OCGA 16-7-23 (statute text)

Local Coverage Across Georgia

• Areas We Serve Across Georgia

Speak With an Atlanta Criminal Defense Attorney Today

Time works against a criminal case. Surveillance video gets overwritten. Witness memory fades. After a DUI arrest, the window to challenge a license suspension is measured in days, not weeks.

A free consultation with Kohn & Yager LLC is a working session, not a sales pitch. We review the charging documents and the circumstances of the arrest. We give an honest read on the risk you face. We explain the likely path of the case in that county's court.

Our attorneys answer the phone 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and we offer flexible payment plans. Every case is different, and the result depends on the specific facts and the court. We will pursue every available defense and work to protect your rights.

Call 404-567-5515 for your free consultation.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a criminal defense attorney do in a Georgia case?

A criminal defense attorney investigates the charge, tests the state's evidence, and represents the client at every court appearance. That work covers bond hearings, discovery review, suppression motions, plea negotiation, and trial. Counsel also explains the collateral consequences. Those include license suspension, immigration exposure, and how the charge will look on a background check.

Is a DWI the same as a DUI in Georgia?

Yes, a DWI and a DUI mean the same thing in Georgia. The state code contains no DWI offense. The charge is driving under the influence under Georgia law. The charge reaches alcohol, illegal drugs, and prescription medication. Drivers who move here from states that use the DWI label are describing the same charge and need the same defense.

How long after an arrest should I hire a criminal defense lawyer?

Defendants should hire counsel as soon as possible. Evidence degrades, and some deadlines run from the arrest date rather than the first court date. After a DUI arrest, the license appeal deadline is 30 days. Early involvement also lets counsel reach the prosecutor before charges are filed. The state generally has the most flexibility at that stage.

How much does an Atlanta criminal defense attorney cost?

Fees vary with the complexity of the case, the charges filed, and whether the case goes to trial. A felony indictment takes far more work to defend than a traffic citation. We offer a free initial consultation and flexible payment plans. Cost does not have to decide whether someone gets representation.

Can a criminal charge in Georgia be dismissed before it reaches a grand jury?

A charge can be dismissed before a grand jury sees it, though nothing is guaranteed. A prosecutor may decline to present the case. The prosecutor may cut it to a misdemeanor accusation. The office may also route the case into a diversion program before indictment. Much depends on the evidence, the alleged victim's position, and the defendant's record. Presenting that information early gives the prosecutor something to weigh.