DUI Lawyer Waste of Money?

Is it worth hiring a Georgia attorney for a DUI? Atlanta criminal defense lawyer Larry Kohn has answered that question for thousands of potential clients over his 26-year legal career. An Atlanta DUI lawyer can make the difference between facing harsh conviction penalties and achieving the best possible outcome in your DUI case. Understanding the costs, strategies, and potential outcomes is crucial when facing DUI charges in Georgia.

Larry is a partner with the law firm Kohn & Yager along with Attorney Cory Yager, and nationally known criminal defense attorney William C. “Bubba” Head. Together these 3 Atlanta attorneys have logged over 90 years of courtroom experience, including the successful resolution of many jury trials. They are smart, passionate legal defenders who have earned the mutual respect of many prosecution teams and judges. So, is retaining a DUI attorney a waste of money? The evidence is presented here so you decide.

Were you arrested for DUI recently? If you were returning from a sporting event or holiday party and got pulled over, blew into a portable breath tester, then handcuffed and carted off to jail, it was a major shock. A night of celebration and relaxation suddenly turns horribly wrong when you hear the siren and look into your rearview mirror and see blue flashing lights. Panic sets in as you realize what is happening. Your heartrate skyrockets as you try to find the closest parking lot or wide shoulder to stop.

You didn’t expect this. No one ever does. You just wanted to get home safely and let the dog out, but your night is shattered by the realization of the major trouble you are about to be in. What do you say to the cop? Where’s your license? Does your car smell like alcohol or weed?

The police officer pulls in behind you and turns off his siren. Blue lights continue to illuminate the whole embarrasing scene. Other drivers are slowing down to get around you and get back to their own homes. Why did the cop stop you? For running a red light? Speeding? Drifting over the center line for a split second? These are all questions our DUI attorney will ask when you meet for a free case review.

The officer stays in his car for what seems like an eternity, then finally you hear his door open and you see the flashlight beam bouncing around. He walks up to your window and you open it. He immediately begins a DUI investigation, so everything you say and do is recorded on the cruiser’s dash camera, and on the officer’s body cam. This is why every DUI attorney will advise you to remain as silent as possible. You must cooperate fully and politely but don’t keep talking or answering the officer’s questions about where you are coming from, or have you been drinking? Anytrhing you say will give the prosecutor’s office more damaging evidence. So, you eventually get arrested and spend a night in jail. As soon as you post bail and get out, get on your phone and call Larry or Cory no matter what time it is, or day. The fight begins the moment you decide to hire us.

What Is the Best Plea For a DUI?

The best DUI lawyers in Georgia will typically aim to negotiate a reduction of a misdemeanor DUI to reckless driving, which carries fewer penalties than a DUI conviction.

. This type of plea bargain can help you:

Keep your driver’s license
Maintain employment opportunities
Avoid the lifelong embarrasment of a DUI conviction
Pay lower court fines
Potentially avoid jail time

Please keep in mind that pleading guilty to reckless driving in Georgia will result in 4 points being added to your driver’s license. We will take this into consideration when we are negotiating with the prosecutor’s office to secure a plea deal. The reason is if these 4 points after conviction put you over 15 points in any 24-month period your license will be suspended. Almost every client we represent has zero points, or maybe a few, so suspension is not a concern.

The reason almost every client of our traffic violation law firm has no points accumulated is because over 90% of the cases we handle are for first DUI, and most clients have never gotten even a speeding ticket This unfamiliarity with the criminal court system means we are very careful when we meet with someone during their free case review, explaining in layman’s terms how DUI charges are successfully fought.

Is a DUI lawyer a waste of money? We don’t think so. Not hiring an experienced attorney is like performing surgery on yourself. You need to have more than just the right surgical instruments. And like surgery, a DUI case can turn bad if certain precautions are ignored.

How Much Do Most Lawyers Charge for a DUI?

When searching for DUI lawyer cost near me, expect to find fees ranging from $2,500 to $15,000 for a first offense.

. The cost varies based on:

Attorney experience and reputation ( always look for the highest-rated lawyer and any industry awards he or she has)
Case complexity (accidents, injuries, repeat offender, felony DUI, child engangerment, other criminal charges)
Geographic location (a lawyer’s travel time to court and back; changing venues from municipal court to state court)
Whether the case goes to trial (more than 90% of cases never reach the trial phase)

Attorneys often extend DUI cases strategically to benefit their clients. This approach can:

Create additional time for negotiations
Allow evidence to deteriorate
Give witnesses time to become unavailable
Provide opportunities for you to complete pre-trial programs (alcohol and drug treatment. diversion)
Increase leverage in plea negotiations (getting a plea deal from the prosecutor’s office)

What Is the Best Case for a First-Time DUI?

First offense DUI lawyer cost typically starts around $2,500. The most favorable case facts that will benefit a first offense DUI client are:

No accidents or injuries while driving intoxicated
Your cooperative behavior during arrest (this does not mean you should take the field sobriety tests)
Blood alcohol content (BAC) near the legal limit (.08% for drivers 21 and over and .02% for drivers under 21)
No aggravating circumstances (no other concurrent charges like speeding, improper lane change)
Clean driving record (no current points on your driver’s license)

What Are the Chances of Getting a DUI Dismissed?

Can a lawyer get you out of a DUI? While complete dismissal occurs in less than 5% of cases, about 40% of DUI drivers may may get a reduced charge to reckless driving. Dropping all charges depends on:

Strength of the evidence
Proper arrest procedures (Implied consent notice read, legal stop made)
Chemical test accuracy (breath test and blood test)
Officer conduct (threatening the driver etc…)
Legal technicalities (non-compliance with 3-hour rule)

How Hard Is It to Win a DUI Case?

Absolutely, as professional representation significantly improves your chances of a favorable outcome. Success factors include:

Challenging breath or blood test results
Questioning field sobriety test administration
Examining probable cause
Identifying constitutional rights violations
Negotiating plea deals

What Makes a DUI Case Weak?

Working with a DUI lawyer Atlanta can help identify weaknesses in the prosecution’s case. Common issues include:

Improper traffic stop procedures
Inconsistent officer testimony
Flawed field sobriety tests
Problems with chemical test evidence
Procedural errors

What Is the Best Plea Deal for DUI?

The optimal plea agreement typically involves reducing charges to reckless driving. How much is a DUI lawyer in Georgia can vary, but investing in quality representation often leads to better plea deals through:

Strategic timing
Skilled negotiations
Evidence analysis
Understanding of local court systems
Relationships with prosecutors

Don’t face DUI charges alone. Contact our experienced defense team today for a confidential consultation and learn how we can protect your rights and future.