Articles Posted in Criminal Defense

Georgia Stand Your Ground Law: Atlanta Criminal Defense Lawyers

Published on: February 19, 2026 | Kohn & Yager LLC

By: William Head, one of America’s best-known criminal defense attorneys, and a Double Dawg from UGA for undergraduate and law school

Georgia stand your ground lawyer Bubba Head represents people accused of criminal charges while protecting their domain or castle. Free consultation.
If you are facing criminal charges after defending yourself in Atlanta or anywhere in the metro Atlanta area, Georgia’s Stand Your Ground law may protect you from prosecution. If you dripped a pin on the map of the Peach State, Atlanta Georgia will be “ground zero” for such crimes. That is why our law firm is based here.

Georgia DUI Law Firm Kohn & Yager travels the entire state of GA to defend clients arrested for stand your ground allegations. Free consultation. (404) 567-5515.
You know that you need a top-rated criminal defense lawyer near me, but most do not know when to start. Whether facing a DUI arrest case or other serious criminal law accusation, you want an Atlanta criminal attorney with “clout” and extensive know-how at you side.

Georgia Simple Battery Law | OCGA 16‑5‑23 Charges & Penalties

Published on: December 27, 2025 | Kohn & Yager LLC

By: Larry Kohn, award-winning Atlanta criminal defense lawyer since 1998 and an experienced simple battery lawyer and Cory Yager, ex-cop turned criminal defense attorney defending criminal charges since 2007

Under OCGA 16‑5‑23, a simple battery in Georgia means making physical contact that is insulting, provoking, or causes visible bodily harm. This guide explains Georgia simple battery penalties, what happens on a first offense, and ways an experienced criminal defense attorney can fight a simple battery charge in GA.

GA Simple Battery Pre-Trial Diversion Program - Kohn & Yager
Often, a phone call to our office is for a family member of our client, seeking to obtain a bond for a simple battery (or similar) family violence case. In rare occasions, one of our attorneys must make a jail visit, but typically, the potential client has bonded out of jail.

Georgia First Offender Act: How to Qualify and Protect Your Record

Published on: October 7, 2025 | Kohn & Yager LLC

The Georgia First Offender Act is a sentencing option that allows certain first-time offenders to avoid a permanent criminal record (record restriction). Under this act, eligible individuals can plead guilty or nolo contendere (nolo) to a charge without facing misdemeanor convictions.

After you complete your sentence, the court drops the charge. There is no guilty verdict, so your criminal record stays private.

Atlanta first offender act Georgia lawyer Larry Kohn has defended first offense clients in all local courtrooms for over 25 years. Meet with Larry during a free lawyer consultation and see if you qualify for this potentially beneficial program.

Who qualifies for First Offender in Georgia?

Georgia DUI Laws & Regulations: Statutes & Regulatory Info

Published on: August 14, 2025 | Kohn & Yager LLC

These materials cover various Georgia DUI laws, and roughly two dozen could apply to your pending case. Seeing this maze of legal rules and statutes is proof positive that a person should never try to self-represent.

Atlanta DUI attorneys Cory Yager, Bubba Head, and Larry Kohn are all Super Lawyers with a combined 93 years of courtroom litigation experience. Each lawyer has stood by their client at thousands of arraignments, mostly DUI.
If money is an issue, then seek to qualify for a public defender, at the State’s cost. The United States Constitution guarantees that those who prove indigency can get legal counsel to help them with their case.

Because every DUI conviction in Georgia cannot EVER be removed from your criminal record, fighting these cases is imperative. Because our award-winning law firm knows how important it is for citizens charged with this crime to get IMMEDIATE information on how to protect their right to keep driving, we offer an initial FREE lawyer consultation on all Georgia DUI cases. Dial 404-567-5515 and do it NOW, 24 hours a day.

Georgia Criminal Defense – Find the Right Lawyer

Published on: July 7, 2025 | Kohn & Yager LLC

Working with the criminal justice system in Georgia is a daunting experience, whether you’re facing a minor misdemeanor or a serious felony. The stakes are high: your freedom, reputation, and future are all at risk. But you are not alone. With the right information and a skilled criminal defense attorney, you can protect your rights and fight for the best possible outcome.

This comprehensive guide to Georgia criminal defense will help you understand your options, answer your most pressing questions, and connect you with the resources you need.

Georgia criminal defense lawyers Cory Yager, Bubba Head, and Larry Kohn have over 93 years of combined legal experience representing thousands of clients in municipal courts and state courts in the metro Atlanta area. Free consultation. Kohn & Yager Law Firm.

Why Do People Hire a Georgia Criminal Defense Lawyer?

City Ordinance Violations in Georgia Explained

Published on: July 4, 2025 | Kohn & Yager LLC

In Georgia, cities and municipalities can make their own laws called local ordinances, or city ordinances.

A city ordinance violation is not considered a misdemeanor or felony, but it is a punishable offense under state law.

Atlanta city ordinance attorneys Larry Kohn, Bubba Head, and Cory Yager have over 95 years of experience representing good people arrested for various city ordinance violations around Georgia. Free lawyer consultation and payment plans.
During your arraignment, you and your Atlanta criminal defense lawyer will enter a plea of not guilty at your first court date. The Georgia municipal court system handles cases that occur in the town where the infraction occurred. You do not have an automatic right to a jury trial for local ordinance violations.

What Is Battery Under Georgia Criminal Law?

Published on: June 13, 2025 | Kohn & Yager LLC

In Georgia, the crime of battery occurs when there is actual physical contact with another human being that causes harm to that person. Keep reading to learn the key differences between simple battery, aggravated battery and assault. Simple battery involves minor physical harm or offensive touching. Aggravated battery involves severe physical harm, disfigurement, or the loss of a body part. And you can be arrested just for verbally threatening another individual under the criminal statute of assault or aggravated assault.

GA battery lawyers Larry Kohn, Cory Yager, and Bubba Head have a combined 95 years of courtroom experience defending clients facing misdemeanor and felony battery charges, assault, or a domestic violence conviction.

How Does Georgia Law Define Simple Battery?

Under Georgia law, simple battery typically involves causing physical contact of an insulting or provoking nature, or intentionally causing visible bodily harm such as bruises, cuts, or swelling. Simple battery is when someone intentionally touches or harms another person in a disrespectful or provoking way. Battery charges may be elevated based on who the alleged victim is, where the incident happened, or whether there was visible injury. Understanding exactly how the officer and prosecutor classify your charge is the first step in building a defense, because the label controls your maximum penalties and potential collateral consequences.

Criminal Defense Lawyer Felony Atlanta

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

Criminal defense lawyer felony Atlanta Larry Kohn has handled hundreds of felony cases over a 25-year legal career. His knowledge of Georgia felony criminal law is vast across many practice areas, including DUI, sex crimes, assault, domestic violence, and theft crimes.
Fighting a felony charge in Atlanta is one of the most frightening experiences a person can endure. The uncertainty, the fear of losing your freedom, and the worry about your future can feel crushing. But you do not have to face this alone. With a dedicated criminal defense lawyer for felony Atlanta by your side, you have a real chance to fight the charges and protect your future.

Understanding Felony Charges in Atlanta

In Georgia, felonies are the most serious types of criminal offenses. These can include violent crimes like aggravated assault or armed robbery, drug trafficking, sex crimes, theft, arson, and certain white-collar crimes. A felony conviction can mean years in prison, steep fines, and a permanent criminal record that can haunt you for the rest of your life. The legal system is complex, and the stakes are simply too high to go it alone.

Atlanta Criminal Lawyer – Kohn & Yager Law Firm

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 narrowing your search to the 10 best criminal lawyers Atlanta GA 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 the Best Atlanta Criminal Attorneys Apart?

Georgia DUI Laws | Driving Under the Influence Penalties Explained

Published on: April 4, 2025 | Kohn & Yager LLC

By: Ex-Cop Turned Criminal Lawyer Near Me Cory Yager, and Larry Kohn, Co-Authors of Georgia’s Leading Book on DUI in Georgia Laws

Navigating the legal landscape of state DUI laws can be complex. In America, no two states have the same DWI-DUI laws. However, many other state laws are like our Georgia drinking and driving laws.

This is because DUI charges in Georgia must follow federal highway safety laws. NHTSA, which is part of the Department of Transportation, helped all states to create these laws. So, Georgia driving under the influence laws will often have about 90% of the same types of laws as nearby states for their impaired driving statutes.