Georgia Criminal Defense Lawyer Blog
By: Atlanta DUI Attorneys Larry Kohn and Ex-Cop Turned Atlanta DUI Lawyer Cory Yager
Many potential clients call our lawyers for DUI cases in Georgia and ask a question similar to this one: What percentage of DUI cases get reduced or the DUI charges dropped? or “What are the odds of getting DUI dropped in my court?” or “Can you get a D.U.I. dismissed for me?”
Other callers have read through our website and see many examples of DUI reduced to reckless driving or other lesser charge. One reason that our top-ranked attorneys offer a DUI lawyer FREE consultation is to answer common questions such as “How often are DUI charges reduced, on a 1st DUI offense, for your clients?”
When searching for lawyers for DUI near me in Georgia, several factors should influence your choice. Here are several things to consider:
- Is it worth hiring an attorney for a DUI? Yes, but much like seeking a surgeon to remove a malignant tumor in your brain, you are not looking for the discount doctor who has a dismal record for successfully getting what you want: a CURE.
- If you hire a cheap DUI attorney then you should expect to get what you paid for. Retaining a cheap DUI lawyer usually will be a waste of time and (once a case gets past the arraignment stage) may also cut off your chances to switch to a better Firm, if certain court deadlines for evidence disclosure and filing motions are missed.
- Remember that when a potential client first calls us, no one at our office will have sufficient case information to be able to answer this common question: What are the chances of getting DUI reduced to reckless driving in my case? Yet, from Day 1 of our representation, we will doggedly track down any and all videos related to the case, looking for errors in the field sobriety tests, or the implied consent warning and the interactions of police with our client. In some cases, the police video will reveal that no legal basis existed to pull over our client.
So, if you are seeking to have DUI-DWI charges dropped, then you need to go with tried and tested experts in the field of DUI defense. Seek out attorneys who specialize in DUI cases and have a strong track record in Georgia for how to get out of a D.W.I. Why not call the only three lawyers in the Peach State who have authored the leading 1400-plus page book on Georgia DUI laws since 1995?
Familiarity with local laws and the players in that local court system is highly advantageous. Understand that the primary reason for higher fees is that these top-rated DUI experts file motions and fight cases at every stage of the legal proceeding, which requires far more time that a lawyer for DUI near me that does none of these things and then enters a guilty plea for that client at arraignment or shortly thereafter.
Stop to think about this maxim: Low-cost DUI lawyers either are doing LESS work – or don’t have a reputation for winning most 1st offence DUI cases. If they had built that reputation, they would be able to charge more. In hiring, follow these rules:
- Hire an experienced lawyer well-versed in DUI cases who will understand how to mitigate charges, potentially negotiating down a D.U.I. to reckless driving or even securing a case dismissal. Their insight into local judges and prosecutors can aid in crafting more effective defense strategies.
- Investigate prospective lawyers by examining client reviews and testimonials. An attorney’s reputation reflects their effectiveness and dependability. Search for lawyers who have successfully managed cases that are similar to yours and have garnered positive feedback from previous clients.
Internet-based legal directories and discussion boards are valuable resources for discovering information about potential attorneys. Additionally, consulting with friends or relatives who have encountered similar legal challenges can provide personal insights and suggestions.
- It’s crucial to consider the lawyer’s credentials and continuous legal education. DUI regulations are intricate and frequently updated. Selecting an attorney who stays informed about the latest legal developments and tactics is vital.
- Check if the attorney is a member of professional groups, like the National College for DUI Defense (NCDD.com) or DUIDLA. This shows a commitment to advanced seminar education for attorneys who specialize in DUI defense. Often, the attorneys who work to stay on the cutting edge can significantly impact the outcome of your case.
- To read more about GA DUI laws, click on this link to read the full statute, OCGA § 40-6-391, which is over 4,000 words long.
Top-Rated DUI Lawyers Pay Attention to the Details
Good communication with your attorney is very important. In your first meeting, see if they listen to and answer your questions, or if the attorney dodges the issue (or answers it in a different way) that only makes the response murky.
The lawyer for DUI should explain court-related issues that are legal terms in simple language. You need to feel comfortable and confident in the legal professional’s skills, so do not shy away from asking about prior percentages of cases obtaining a reduction by reducing the charges to a non-DUI disposition.
Pay attention to how quickly they respond to you. They should also explain complex legal ideas clearly. A lawyer who helps you understand your case and the various outcomes and options that you may be offered is more likely to be a reliable advocate.
It’s important to talk about legal strategies during your meeting. Ask the attorney how she or he would handle your case. Find out what steps they will take to assert defenses (or legal challenges to admissibility of evidence) that their Firm might use.
A skilled DUI lawyer at our Firm will create a custom defense plan just for your case. Experts may be consulted and video evidence requested to challenge blood alcohol content results. Thorough preparation and planning are essential for an effective DUI defense, considering all potential options.
Before hiring a DUI lawyer, ask the right questions. This will help you find the best fit for your case. Consider these questions:
- What is your prior experience with DUI cases in my criminal court in Georgia?
- Have you been successful in obtaining reduced DUI charges in this court or against this officer?
- How do you go about negotiating plea deals or obtaining a case dismissal, when favorable facts are shown?
- What are your fees, plus how are the increments structured, and do you offer payment plans?
Knowing their strategy will help you understand their thinking and skills. Ask about their experience with similar cases and the results they have achieved, if you did not see such information on their website.
This kind of empirical information can demonstrate that they have “done it before” on a similar case. It can also boost your confidence in their skills, by you knowing that they have “been there” and “done that” previously.
Teamwork is often needed for DUI defense. Probe the attorney’s support system. This includes the use of paralegals, investigators, and possible one or more expert witnesses, if trial is needed.
Knowing what resources your lawyer has at his or her disposal can boost your confidence. It demonstrates they can investigate the police officers’ case and build a strong defense.
A legal team providing strong support can improve the quality of your representation. Top-ranked criminal defense attorneys near me who are DUI expert litigators will offer specialized knowledge and different views on your case.
In Georgia, When Is Drunk Driving a Felony?
Usually, a DUI is not a felony. Less than 1% of all DUI arrests each year in Georgia are for a 4th DUI in 10 years. These cases may involve DUI fatalities or victims who suffer serious injury at the hands of a DUI motorist. Felony DUI charges like these can change lives if not handled in a way to resolve the case with manageable penalties. In such cases, it is imperative that your hire a top Georgia DUI attorney.
In Georgia, a first DUI conviction can cause you to lose your driver’s license. If you are 21 or older, you may lose it for 120 days to one year. You might also face jail time and will likely need to install an ignition interlock device (IID).
If you have repeat offenses, you could spend 90 to 120 days in jail. You may also lose your vehicle’s license plates. After a second DUI, there will be no limited driving permit for 120 days. After a third DUI, the loss could last up to 18 months. You will also need to pay fees and take classes to get your license back.
Our legal warriors in Georgia travel throughout the State of Georgia to assist clients dealing with severe felony accusations. Beyond defending those charged with driving under the influence, our legal team also represents clients against violent offenses such as battery and domestic violence through aggravated assault. Additional violent charges our trial lawyers handle include voluntary manslaughter, murder, battery, or aggravated assault.
Our law group has a criminal defense lawyer in every part of Georgia. We defend cases like felony drug trafficking, possession, and drug manufacturing. Cory Yager, a former police officer, is now a criminal defender. Senior partner William “Bubba” Head (who began fighting DUI cases in 1976) also has traveled across the Peach State for over 45 years to handle felony and misdemeanor cases and is a treasure trove of information for the other two partners. Watch his very popular YouTube video telling drivers what TO do and NOT TO DO, at a roadside pullover. It has been watched over 300,000 times.
Partner and sex crimes attorney Larry Kohn has a lot of experience defending sex crimes. This includes serious crimes like aggravated sodomy, child molestation, and prostitution. Given the harm that can come from the sex offender registry in Georgia, you must fight for a better outcome than a guilty plea.
Which Georgia Lawyers Are the Best Criminal Attorneys Near Me?
A typical approach for individuals facing accusations (or their family members) is to search online for leading criminal law firms to find the best criminal defense lawyer nearby. With numerous websites asserting they have the top criminal attorney in the area, distinguishing the top-rated criminal lawyers for drunk driving defense becomes a challenging task.
Various organizations carry out diverse yearly evaluations of attorney ratings and acquire peer-reviewed assessments of leading legal experts in criminal defense. Our trio of law firm members consistently receive top ratings on all these esteemed lawyer rating platforms.
- Best Law Firms in America
- AVVO Highest Rated at 10.0
- Best Lawyers in America
- Martindale-Hubbell 5.0 Rated AV Preeminent Attorneys
When it comes to Super Lawyers (SL), this service was very selective 25 years ago. It has since been bought by a national legal marketing group. Over time, the value of its “ratings” has decreased. This is because some questionable lawyers are now listed.
Our lawyers’ ratings with SL began in 2004, when that directory opened its doors to the State of Georgia. Our three partners now share 37 annual recognitions from Super Lawyers among our three law partners with this attorney ranking website. Plus, our lawyers have been named to Best Lawyers in America over a dozen times by Best Law Firms in America.
Many competing firms often claim to be top criminal lawyers in Georgia. However, some listed attorneys that pay for ads at the top of directories have poor success rates for reducing DUIs to reckless driving. This is based on their proven history of pleading too many first-offense DUI clients “guilty” to a DUI conviction, without fighting the cases.
Your Legal Warrior Choice to Defend You for Violating Georgia DUI Laws
To maximize your chances of success, hire an experienced lawyer with a stellar reputation and strong communication. Our DUI lawyers nearby offer free consultations and know how to handle DWI-DUI cases. You can call us at 404-567-5515 anytime, 24 hours a day.
DUI charges usually are manageable with top-shelf legal help. You should pursue obtaining a positive result since a DUI conviction NEVER goes away. Time matters, so act fast for the best defense.
Your future relies on it. A strong defense can change the result from a conviction to a positive outcome. Get legal help now, because license suspension issues (requiring ACTION within 30 days after arrest) has almost certainly already started.