Articles Posted in DUI Defense

By Atlanta DUI Lawyer Larry Kohn, a 28-Year Courtroom Veteran Who Has Handled Thousands of DUI Cases

The most common sentence for a first DUI in Georgia in 2026 typically includes multiple conviction penalties like community service, an alcohol and drug abuse assessment, court fines, reporting probation, DUI school, suspended license, an ignition interlock, and possible jail time.

Attorney Larry Kohn has negotiated thousands of reduced DUI charges, and gotten entire cases dismissed due to illegal stops, faulty field sobriety tests, and police arrest procedure errors.

If you’re facing a Georgia DUI charge in Atlanta, Fulton County, or anywhere across the state, the prosecution’s case rests entirely on their evidence. No evidence, no conviction. That’s where a motion to suppress comes in—a legal tool DUI attorney Larry Kohn uses uses to challenge and potentially exclude illegally obtained evidence from your case. Successful suppression can gut the state’s case, leading to dismissal or a reduced charge like reckless driving.

Georgia courts strictly enforce the Fourth Amendment protections against unreasonable searches and seizures. This means police must follow precise protocols during every stage of a DUI investigation, from the traffic stop to the breathalyzer or blood draw. One misstep—like an unlawful stop, coerced test, or Miranda violation—and that evidence becomes inadmissible. Atlanta DUI lawyers at Kohn & Yager have decades of experience filing these motions, often turning hopeless cases into wins.

This guide breaks down the DUI evidence suppression process in Georgia, key stages where suppression happens most often, and real-world examples of what works. If your DUI arrest involved shaky evidence, call 24/7 for a free consultation—suppression motions have time-sensitive deadlines.

Britney Spears was arrested in Southern California this week on suspicion of DUI (driving under the influence), but her case will be prosecuted under California law, not Georgia law. However, her situation is a useful reminder of how strict DUI laws are here in Georgia and what is at stake if you are charged.

What Reportedly Happened in California

Britney Spears was stopped in Ventura County, California, at about 9:30 p.m. and arrested on suspicion of DUI after officers requested a drug recognition expert at the scene. Jail records show she was booked in the local jail in the early morning hours and released around 6 a.m., with a court date currently set for early May. Reports indicate that blood testing was requested to determine her level of impairment, and details about whether alcohol, drugs, or a combination are alleged have not yet been confirmed.

If you’re facing DUI charges in Atlanta or anywhere in Georgia, understanding the odds of getting a DUI case dismissed is critical. In Georgia, approximately 28% of DUI cases are reduced to lesser charges like reckless driving, while less than 5% are dismissed entirely in most counties. With Georgia’s conviction rate exceeding 95%–among the highest in the nation—having an experienced Atlanta DUI lawyer is essential to improving your chances.

First-time DUI offenders have significantly better odds of getting charges dropped or reduced compared to repeat offenders. If you’re wondering “can I get my first DUI dismissed” or “what are the odds of getting a DUI dropped,” this comprehensive guide explains the statistics, strategies, and factors that influence your case outcome.

Georgia DUI Dismissal and Reduction Statistics for 2026

Understanding Georgia’s implied consent law is crucial for every driver—especially if you’re ever stopped or arrested for DUI. Your decision at a DUI stop directly impacts your driving privileges, your criminal case, and your future. This guide covers everything you need to know to protect yourself and help you or your loved one move forward.

What Is Georgia’s Implied Consent Law?

Implied consent means that by driving on Georgia’s roads, you are giving advance permission for law enforcement to test your blood, breath, or urine if you are lawfully arrested for DUI. This isn’t a “gotcha” tactic: it’s written into the law, and officers are required to notify you of these rights and consequences at the time of your arrest. When police have probable cause to arrest you for DUI of alcohol or drugs, they must read you the Georgia implied consent notice—a standard warning, often read on body cam video. At this moment, you must choose to either submit to, or refuse, chemical testing.

Facing a second DUI offense in Georgia is far more severe than a first. Repeat offenders face harsher penalties, longer jail sentences, extended license suspensions, and heavier financial costs. For many people, a 2nd DUI threatens not only their freedom but also their livelihood. It’s common for clients to tell us, “This 2nd DUI ruined my life,” especially when employers take immediate disciplinary action following an arrest.

If you hold a commercial driver’s license (CDL) or work in a profession requiring a clean record, the consequences can be catastrophic. That’s why you need an experienced GA DUI attorney immediately after arrest. A strong defense doesn’t just fight for a lighter sentence. It could be the deciding factor in keeping your career, driver’s license, and reputation intact.

The best DUI defense lawyers know how to identify weak police work, procedural violations, and unreliable chemical testing. Even for serious repeat charges, your Atlanta DUI attorney can often negotiate reduced penalties or alternative resolutions that minimize jail time and license loss.

A first DUI offense in Georgia can have life-changing consequences. Even with no prior record, drivers arrested for drunk or drugged driving face criminal penalties, driver’s license suspension, probation, fines, and even jail time. Fortunately, an experienced Atlanta DUI lawyer can often minimize those consequences or, in many cases, prevent a conviction altogether.

At Kohn & Yager, our drunk driving lawyers have defended thousands of DUI clients across the metro Atlanta area. For first=time offenders, a strong legal defense often hinges on quick action: examining every detail of the stop, the arrest, and the evidence.

When a good DUI attorney intervenes early, it may be possible to challenge improper traffic stops, faulty field sobriety tests, and unreliable chemical results.

Facing a DUI charge is a terrifying experience—one filled with fear, anxiety, and countless questions. Among these, one of the most common is: “What percent of DUI cases are dropped?” Understanding these statistics and the underlying reasons can help individuals gauge their situation and approach their defense with a more informed outlook. This article explores DUI case outcomes, how often they are dropped or reduced, and what you can do to improve your odds in court.

Statewide, at least 2 or 3 out of 10 FIRST DUI cases get dropped in GA each year. For our firm MOST of the first offense DUI cases we handle are reduced or dismissed.

What Percent of DUI Cases Are Dropped in GA?