Georgia Criminal Defense Lawyer Blog

Atlanta Criminal Lawyer: Guide to Criminal Defense in Atlanta

Published on: April 23, 2025 | Kohn & Yager LLC

Facing criminal charges in Atlanta is a life-altering experience. The stakes are high—your freedom, reputation, and future are on the line. Whether you’re accused of a misdemeanor like a first offense DUI or a serious felony sex crime, understanding the workings of the criminal justice system and securing the right legal representation is crucial. This comprehensive guide explores everything you need to know about working with an Atlanta criminal lawyer, from finding the best defense attorney and understanding all costs, to knowing your rights and options if you choose to have the court appoint a public defender.

Atlanta criminal lawyers Cory Yager, Bubba Head, and Larry Kohn have a combined 90 years of courtroom litigation experience with thousands of cases handled successfully. We provide expert defense against DUI, sex crimes, theft, assault, burglary, shoplifting, and other misdemeanor and felony charges.
If you or a loved one is charged with a crime in Atlanta, you’re not alone. Every year, thousands of individuals face criminal allegations ranging from minor infractions to major felonies. The outcome of your case often depends on the quality and experience of your legal representation. This guide will help you understand the role of an Atlanta criminal lawyer, how to choose the right one, what to expect in terms of costs, and what to do if you can’t afford a private attorney.

What Sets Our Top Atlanta Criminal Lawyers Apart?

What Is the Most Common Sentence for a First DUI?

Published on: April 20, 2025 | Kohn & Yager LLC

Facing a DUI charge for the first time can be overwhelming, especially if you’re unsure about the potential consequences. If you’re searching for answers about what to expect, you’re not alone. Many people in Georgia want to know, “What is the most common sentence for a first DUI?” Understanding the typical penalties, license implications, and possible outcomes can help you make informed decisions about your next steps. If you’re navigating this process, consulting with an experienced Atlanta DUI lawyer can make a significant difference in your case. Wondering if hiring a lawyer is worth it? Check out our insights on is a DUI lawyer a waste of money?

DUI Lawyers Atlanta Larry Kohn, Cory Yager, and Bubba Head defend first DUI drivers in many courtrooms around the city including Fulton County courts, City of Atlanta courts, Marietta, GA courts, Johns Creek, Cumming, Alpharetta, and Johns Creek.

What Is the Most Common Sentence for a First DUI?

For most first-time DUI offenders in Georgia, the sentence is a combination of several penalties, rather than just one. The most common sentence for a first DUI in Georgia typically includes:

Reckless Driving Misdemeanor: GA Reckless Driving Jail Time

Published on: April 8, 2025 | Kohn & Yager LLC

Reckless driving is a serious crime. In Georgia, reckless driving is more than just a traffic ticket. Reckless driving is one of the few “serious” misdemeanor offenses in the state exists. But any of these “serious” driving crimes can be the basis for a prosecutor adding very serious felony charges, when another person is the “victim” of such bad driving.

Atlanta DUI lawyer Cory Yager and his law partner Larry Kohn have handled many drunk driving reduced to reckless driving misdemeanor cases over two decades. An arrest is not a conviction!
How Both Reckless Driving vs DUI Georgia Are Similar. In misdemeanor reckless driving cases with bad accidents, serious injuries or deaths can lead to felony charges. The same is true for any driver charged with a DUI in Georgia in an incident where someone else dies or was grievously injured. Likewise, for a hit and run (leaving the scene of an accident) or attempting to elude a law enforcement officer when one or more people are badly injured or killed. Call Atlanta criminal lawyer Cory Yager if you have questions about your DUI or reckless driving case, Cory provides a free lawyer consultation to anyone looking to hire an experienced attorney in any metro Atlanta county. Our number is (404) 510-2800 and your call will be answered 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

This can happen if a passenger, pedestrian, or someone in another vehicle is hurt badly or killed in connection with that serious driving offense. This is when a felony indictment will routinely be drafted, creating much larger legal problems for these accused citizens.

The 2006 Paris Hilton DUI Arrest and Wet Reckless Plea in CA

Published on: March 6, 2025 | Kohn & Yager LLC

By: William C. Head, Larry Kohn and Cory Yager, Top-Rated DUI Defense Lawyers in Georgia and Legal Book Co-Authors

While no other state has a “wet” reckless statute, the highly publicized case involving Paris Hilton highlights the importance of engaging genuine experts in DUI law to consistently achieve the most favorable outcomes. Settling a client’s case instead of fighting that very “winnable” case is not only not wise, but (as in this example) apparently set up the client for failure within a week’s time.

Atlanta criminal defense lawyers Cory Yager, Bubba Head, and Larry Kohn explain why Georgia has no wet reckless charge like the one Paris Hilton was charged with. Georgia does have a reckless driving charge, and a DUI can be reduced to this lesser offense.
Hollywood influencer Paris Hilton was arrested in Hollywood, California for a DUI on September 7, 2006. Her “reading” was 0.080 grams percent, which was (and still is) the lowest adult BAC level for the State of California allowing for a possible conviction of DUI per se or “driving with an unlawful alcohol level.”

Hiring the Right Criminal Defense Attorney Near Me in GA

Published on: February 25, 2025 | Kohn & Yager LLC

Facing criminal charges can be a daunting experience. It’s a time when our client’s life will be filled with uncertainty, trepidation, and fear.

Accused citizens know they need the best criminal lawyers. This gives them a better chance to stay out of jail and keep their normal lives.

However, over 95% of potential clients have no idea which top-rated Atlanta criminal defense lawyer to choose for a criminal prosecution. Most know that charges can be misdemeanor or felony, but not much more than that.

DUI Less Safe in GA: Being Charged Despite No Test Results

Published on: February 24, 2025 | Kohn & Yager LLC

By: Larry Kohn, DUI Law Book Co-Author and Partner at Our Legal Firm

Many first-time GA DUI arrests of drivers in Georgia don’t know what to do and will refuse the port-arrest testing requested by the law enforcement officer. Many are so upset about being cuffed that they “shut down” wanting to cooperate with law enforcement.

After refusing to submit to post-arrest testing, though, many are quite shocked to learn that they are still being accused of DUI charges in GA. On top of that, their “refusal” to be tested (under Georgia’s implied consent laws) puts their ability to keep driving at risk for up to a full YEAR!

Why Do Lawyers Drag Out DUI Cases?

Published on: February 2, 2025 | Kohn & Yager LLC

Working with an experienced Atlanta DUI lawyer is essential to understanding why these delays often serve a strategic purpose in building a stronger defense. Statistically, the odds of getting DUI dropped in Georgia tend to increase the longer a case winds its way through the court system.

When facing DUI charges in Georgia, many people become frustrated with how long their cases take to resolve. During the COVID-19 Pandemic starting in 2020, the frustration level (for everyone) was at its very peak. Next, if you hired a top-shelf DUI attorney near me to FIGHT your case, you should have expected a longer litigation process. Pleading guilty is something every accused person can do alone, although this is almost always one of their biggest lifetime mistakes.

Next, if you hired a top-shelf DUI attorney near me to FIGHT your case, you should have expected a longer litigation process. Pleading guilty is something every accused person can do alone, although this is almost always one of their biggest lifetime mistakes.

What Are the Chances of Getting a DUI Dismissed?

Published on: January 31, 2025 | Kohn & Yager LLC

Facing DUI charges in Atlanta can leave you wondering about your chances of dismissal and the best path forward. While Georgia maintains a 95% conviction rate for DUIs, strategic defense tactics significantly impact outcomes. Below, we analyze dismissal likelihood, defense strategies, sentencing patterns, and case weaknesses—all critical for protecting your rights and future.

An Atlanta DUI lawyer can exploit these vulnerabilities, while those questioning if hiring counsel is a DUI lawyer waste of money often face harsher outcomes due to missed legal opportunities.

Atlanta DUI lawyers Bubba Head and Cory Yager know what it takes to get a DUI dismissed, or charges reduced to a lesser offense like reckless driving.

What Are the Chances of Getting a DUI Dismissed?

What Are Some Weird DUI Cases?

Published on: January 30, 2025 | Kohn & Yager LLC

Strange DUI cases often make headlines, but even unusual circumstances can lead to serious legal consequences. If you’re facing DUI charges, an experienced Atlanta DUI lawyer can help evaluate your situation and determine signs that a DUI case is weak to build your defense.

Weird DUI cases in Georgia and around the country include a man arrested for drunk driving while operating a toy Barbie car.
From a man driving a Barbie car to a Santa gone rogue in a Christmas parade, discover some of the strangest DUI cases that show how alcohol-impaired judgment can lead to bizarre situations. These real cases demonstrate why even unconventional vehicles can result in serious DUI charges.

What’s the Worst DUI You Can Get?

What Is a Weak DUI Case?

Published on: January 30, 2025 | Kohn & Yager LLC

A DUI arrest can feel like your whole world is crashing down. The fear of losing your license, your job, or even your freedom can be overwhelming. But take a deep breath – not every DUI charge leads to a conviction. An experienced Atlanta DUI lawyer can spot signs that a DUI case is weak and help you fight back against these serious charges. Understanding what makes the odds of avoiding a DUI conviction improve is your first step toward taking control of your situation.

Georgia DUI lawyer Larry Kohn has been helping drivers avoid being convicted for drunk driving by looking for signs of a weak DUI case.

What Makes a DUI Case Weak?

Many DUI cases have significant vulnerabilities that an experienced defense attorney can identify and challenge. Signs that a DUI case is weak often emerge during a thorough review of your arrest details. The most common weaknesses include improper police procedures during the traffic stop, issues with field sobriety testing, or problems with blood alcohol testing equipment.