Kohn & Yager (Georgia Criminal Defense)
Practice focus: DUI, drug crimes, felony defense
10,000+ DUI cases handled. William Head identified by national DUI groups as top in the nation.
- Fee structure
- Flat fee
Charged with a crime in Georgia? Don't say another word.
Top 10 DUI and Criminal Defense Lawyers in Atlanta
Georgia DUI law has stiff stacking penalties — mandatory minimums on second and third convictions, lookback period extends to ten years. License administrative suspension within 30 days of arrest unless contested. Federal cases run through the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Georgia.
These 10 Atlanta firms have credible track records in DUI, felony, federal, and white-collar matters.
How we picked these 10: We reviewed published verdicts and settlements, peer rankings (Best Lawyers, Super Lawyers, Chambers and Partners, Avvo), client review patterns, and bar association recognition. Firms that appeared consistently across independent sources made the list. We do not accept payment for placement, and we do not write sponsored reviews. More on our methodology →
Willis Law Firm
Practice focus: DUI, criminal defense
Greg Willis — only GA DUI attorney with multiple U.S. Supreme Court petitions. McElrath v. Georgia (2024) victory. 13 consecutive Super Lawyers (2014-2026). 93.1% DUI success rate.
- Fee structure
- Flat fee
- Free consultation
- Free
Hawkins Spizman Law
Practice focus: DUI, drug crimes, felony
Justin Spizman — AV Preeminent. National College for DUI Defense. Super Lawyer since 2014.
- Fee structure
- Flat fee
- Free consultation
- Free
George C. Creal, Jr., P.C.
Practice focus: DUI, criminal defense
100+ not-guilty jury verdicts. 32 years of DUI defense.
- Fee structure
- Flat fee
- Free consultation
- Free
Chestney & Sullivan, LLC
Practice focus: DUI, criminal defense, appeals
Sullivan — former prosecutor. 24+ years trial experience.
- Fee structure
- Flat fee
- Free consultation
- Free
Bubba Head, P.C.
Practice focus: DUI, criminal defense
50+ years of DUI defense practice. Founder of bubbahead.com.
- Fee structure
- Flat fee
- Free consultation
- Initial $
Howard, Howard & Hodges
Practice focus: Criminal defense, DUI, federal
Established Atlanta criminal defense firm with strong felony bench.
- Fee structure
- Flat fee
- Free consultation
- Initial $
Yates Law
Practice focus: Criminal defense, DUI
Atlanta criminal defense boutique with focused DUI practice.
- Fee structure
- Flat fee
- Free consultation
- Free
Garland, Samuel & Loeb
Practice focus: Federal criminal, white-collar, complex defense
One of the most respected federal criminal defense firms in the South.
- Fee structure
- Hourly / Flat
- Free consultation
- Initial $
Page Pate Petersen LLC
Practice focus: Federal criminal, white-collar, appeals
Federal criminal defense boutique with strong N.D. Ga. trial bench.
- Fee structure
- Hourly / Flat
- Free consultation
- Initial $
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Request Free Consultation →What to expect from an Atlanta criminal case
First appearance within 48-72 hours. Misdemeanors resolve in 4-9 months. Felonies 9-18 months. Federal cases 12-24 months.
What does a criminal defense lawyer in Atlanta cost?
Flat fees: First-time DUI $3,500-$8,000. Felonies $10,000-$30,000+. Federal $25,000-$150,000+.
Red flags to watch for when picking a criminal defense lawyer in Atlanta
The legal directory you find on Google has thousands of Atlanta criminal defense firms. Most are competent. A few are problematic. The patterns to avoid:
Guaranteed outcomes. No ethical attorney can guarantee a result. If a firm promises a specific recovery, dismissal, or visa approval, walk away.
The disappearing partner. You meet a senior partner at intake, then never speak to them again. The case is handled by an unsupervised junior or a paralegal. Ask in writing who will be your day-to-day attorney.
Pressure to sign immediately. Reputable firms give you the retainer in writing, time to read it, and the option to take it home. High-pressure intake is almost always a sign of a volume mill, not a craftsperson's practice.
No verifiable track record. The firm should be able to point to verdicts, settlements, peer rankings, or bar association recognition. "We've helped thousands of clients" is marketing copy. Specific numbers, named cases, and third-party rankings are evidence.
Vague fee terms. "Don't worry about cost" is a red flag. Every legitimate Atlanta lawyer will give you a written engagement letter with the fee structure, what's covered, what triggers extra charges, and what happens if you fire them.
10 questions to ask in your free consultation
Most Atlanta firms on this list offer a free initial consultation. Use it. Bring a list of questions and write down the answers. Compare across at least two firms before you sign.
- Who, specifically, will handle my case day-to-day? Get a name. Get an email.
- How many cases like mine have you handled in the last three years? You want a number, not a brochure line.
- What is your fee, and what does it cover? Get the answer in writing before you sign.
- What case expenses am I responsible for, and when? Out-of-pocket costs surprise people. Ask now.
- What is the realistic range of outcomes for a case like mine? A good lawyer will give you a range. A bad one will promise the high end.
- How long will it take? Honest estimate, with the assumptions stated.
- Who else might be involved? Experts? Co-counsel? Larger cases routinely involve outside experts. Know who's on the team.
- How and how often will I hear from you? Email-only? Calls? Monthly updates? Set the expectation now.
- What happens if I want to change lawyers later? Rules allow it; the fee is sorted between firms. Make sure you understand the mechanics.
- What's the worst-case outcome for my case? A lawyer who refuses to discuss downside risk is selling you something.
What's specific about a criminal defense case in Atlanta
Atlanta is its own market. The procedure, the courts, and the strategy are city- and state-specific in ways that matter to your outcome.
Local courthouses matter. Fulton County Superior Court at the Lewis R. Slaton Courthouse and the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Georgia have judges, calendars, and procedures that shape how cases move. A firm that knows the local courthouse has an advantage.
Filing deadlines are strict. Notice of Claim windows for cases against the City or County, Statute of Limitations periods, and pre-suit certification requirements vary by case type and are unforgiving. A missed deadline often means a lost case — full stop.
Local procedure rules matter. Each court has its own forms, motion practice, and judge preferences. The right Atlanta firm will know not just the law, but the unwritten rules of the courthouse you'll be in.
Local plaintiffs/defendants do well in front of local juries. Verdict patterns vary by venue, and a trial-capable firm uses venue strategically.
Frequently asked questions
Is DUI different in Georgia?
Georgia uses 'DUI' for both drugs and alcohol. .08 BAC, but 'less safe driver' standard can convict at lower BAC.
What's the ALS hearing?
Administrative License Suspension — 30 days from arrest to request a hearing or your license is suspended.
Can DUI be expunged in Georgia?
Generally no. DUIs cannot be sealed or restricted in Georgia.
Should I take a breath test?
Refusing carries automatic 1-year license suspension. Discuss with counsel before traffic stop if possible.
How much is bond?
First-time DUI typically $500-$3,000. Felonies higher.
Related reading
One last thing. Choosing a lawyer is personal. Read the reviews. Call two or three firms before you sign. Ask each one: How many cases like mine have you taken to verdict in the last three years? The answer tells you everything. — The LawFirmSquare team