Newnan DWI Lawyer & Georgia Criminal Defense Firm Serving Atlanta, Decatur & Roswell

Georgia DUI and Criminal Defense Across Metro Atlanta

William C. Head, PC defends clients facing DUI and criminal charges across the greater Atlanta metro area. Need a Newnan DWI lawyer? A Decatur DUI lawyer? A Roswell defense firm? Our attorneys are ready to help. We represent drivers accused of violating Georgia's DUI statute across the region. We serve clients in Newnan (Coweta County), Decatur (DeKalb County), Roswell (Fulton County), and Marietta (Cobb County).

With decades of trial experience, our firm handles both Superior Court felony matters and State Court or municipal misdemeanor cases. Maybe you were arrested on I-85 near Newnan. Maybe you were stopped on Ponce de Leon Avenue in Decatur. Either way, our Newnan DWI lawyers and Decatur defense team bring the same aggressive strategy.

A Roswell criminal lawyer from our firm can defend a drug charge in Fulton County Superior Court. The same lawyer can fight a DUI case in Coweta County State Court. About 90% of our practice is DUI defense — both alcohol and drug cases. But our trial skills extend to drug charges, domestic violence, theft, vehicular homicide, and serious traffic crimes across Georgia.

Newnan DUI and DWI Defense (Coweta County)

Arrested for drunk driving in Newnan or anywhere in Coweta County? You need a Newnan DUI attorney who knows the local courts. These cases usually begin at the Coweta County Justice Center. First appearances happen shortly after arrest. Misdemeanor charges move through Coweta County State Court. Felony cases — serious injuries, or a fourth offense within ten years — go to Coweta County Superior Court.

The Newnan Police Department and Coweta County Sheriff's Office make most of the arrests in this area. Officers often set up checkpoints along Highway 29 and Highway 34. They also patrol the I-85 corridor hard for impaired drivers.

Georgia law uses "DUI" as the official term. Many people still search for a Newnan DWI attorney, because "DWI" is the common term in other states. Whichever term you use, the charge and the defenses are the same. We have defended these cases in Coweta County State Court for years. Many were reduced or dismissed over improper stops and flawed field sobriety testing.

Arrested in Newnan? You have only 30 days to challenge an Administrative License Suspension (ALS) and protect your right to drive. A Newnan DUI lawyer from William C. Head, PC can file that request and start building your defense right away. Call us for a free case evaluation.

Our DUI Law Firm Handles Felony and Misdemeanor Crimes

Impaired driving work makes up 90% of our caseload. But our trial skills cover the related felony crash offenses too — hit and run, or attempting to elude a police officer. We handle between 45 and 65 felony cases a year. That volume keeps us current on new prosecutors and new judges.

When a DUI Accident Becomes a Felony in Georgia

When another person dies in a Georgia drunk driving crash, the driver may face vehicular homicide charges. When a victim is badly hurt, prosecutors can charge serious injury by vehicle. Both are felonies. They cannot be heard in municipal court, recorder's court, or probate court. Even State Court lacks power over felony charges, despite handling misdemeanor jury trials.

Georgia law splits vehicular homicide into first and second degree. First degree applies when an impaired driver causes a fatal crash. It carries 3 to 15 years in prison. Second degree covers a death caused by reckless or careless driving without impairment, and it is a misdemeanor. Serious injury by vehicle carries 1 to 15 years in prison when the driver was impaired.

DUI injury cases are prosecuted far differently than standard arrests. The state often hires crash experts to prove fault. Officers routinely seek search warrants for hospital blood draws. Prosecutors may pair the blood results with expert testimony about impairment.

Our attorneys defend DUI injury and vehicular homicide cases throughout the metro area. The crash may have happened in Newnan, Decatur, Roswell, or Atlanta — we cover them all. Handling 45 to 65 felony cases each year keeps us sharp on shifting prosecution tactics and what each judge expects. If you face felony charges, the stakes demand counsel who can attack every element of the state's case.

Speak With a Georgia DUI Defense Attorney Today

Do you face DUI or criminal charges in Newnan, Decatur, or Roswell? Anywhere else in Georgia? Do not wait to get legal help. Every Georgia DUI arrest starts a 30-day deadline to challenge your license suspension. Miss the ALS hearing window, and you could lose your right to drive before your case even begins.

Call William C. Head, PC and you will speak with an experienced attorney. The consultation is private, and there is no obligation. We will cover the stop, the field sobriety tests, any chemical testing, and the exact charges you face. From there, we lay out a defense plan built for your case.

Call (404) 567-5515 any time — 24 hours a day — or complete the contact form below to schedule your free case evaluation. The sooner you act, the more options you may have.

Free Consultation (404) 567-5515

Decatur DUI Defense (DeKalb County)

Facing a DUI charge in Decatur? You need an Atlanta criminal lawyer who knows the DeKalb County court system. William C. Head, PC has decades of experience here. Our firm has also defended clients in Athens criminal defense matters and across the region. We are the DUI lawyer Decatur drivers call when a license and a career are on the line.

Misdemeanor DUI charges from unincorporated DeKalb County are heard in DeKalb County State Court. The City of Decatur Municipal Court handles traffic-level cases inside city limits. DeKalb County Recorder's Court processes certain early-stage matters. Felony charges — including vehicular homicide and serious injury by vehicle — go to DeKalb County Superior Court.

Common stop spots in the Decatur area include I-285, Ponce de Leon Avenue, North Decatur Road, and Memorial Drive. Officers from the DeKalb County Police Department and Decatur City Police patrol these roads heavily, especially on weekends. Talk with a DUI attorney Decatur judges and solicitors know well — contact us promptly to protect your license and your rights.

Decatur Drunk Driving Accident Cases

When a drunk driving crash in the Decatur area causes injury or death, the charges escalate fast. Serious injury by vehicle and vehicular homicide are Superior Court felonies carrying years of prison time. If you need a Decatur drunk driving accident lawyer, we have been there. Our firm has tried DUI accident cases in DeKalb County Superior Court built on crash reconstruction evidence and hospital blood draws. These cases demand fast action. Evidence must be preserved, and independent experts hired quickly.

Roswell Criminal Defense (North Fulton County)

Roswell sits in North Fulton County, and its criminal cases follow a set path. Roswell Municipal Court handles city rule violations and certain traffic misdemeanors inside city limits. But most impaired driving and misdemeanor cases that need jury trials transfer to Fulton County State Court in downtown Atlanta. Felony charges — drug trafficking, vehicular homicide, aggravated assault — go through Fulton County Superior Court.

A Roswell criminal lawyer from William C. Head, PC defends the full range of charges that arise in North Fulton County. We handle drunk driving cases, drug possession, domestic violence, theft, and serious traffic charges — hit and run, reckless driving, and following too closely tickets. Our attorneys appear often in Fulton County State Court and Superior Court for Roswell-area clients. We also take cases in Johns Creek Municipal Court.

North Fulton residents benefit from a firm that knows how Fulton County prosecutors handle cases from Roswell, Alpharetta, and Johns Creek. A misdemeanor DUI or a felony drug charge — either way, our team can review your case. We will explain your options under Georgia law.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there a difference between a DUI and a DWI in Georgia?

Georgia law does not use the term "DWI." The official charge is driving under the influence. Many people say "DWI" because other states use that term. In Georgia, it means the same offense. Search for either one — the charge, the penalties, and the defenses are the same under Georgia's statute.

Which court will hear my Newnan DUI case?

Most Newnan DUI arrests go through Coweta County State Court, which handles misdemeanor jury trials. Arrested inside Newnan city limits? Your case may first appear on the Newnan Municipal Court docket. It then moves to State Court. Felony charges — a fourth offense within ten years, or vehicular homicide — are heard in Coweta County Superior Court.

How long do I have to challenge my Georgia license suspension after a DUI arrest?

You have only 30 days from the date of your arrest to challenge the Administrative License Suspension (ALS). Miss this deadline, and your license can be suspended no matter how your criminal case turns out. Contact an attorney right after your arrest to preserve this right.

When does a Decatur DUI accident become a felony?

A DUI accident in Decatur becomes a felony when the crash causes serious injury or death. Serious injury by vehicle carries 1 to 15 years in prison. Vehicular homicide carries 3 to 15 years for a first-degree charge. These cases are heard in DeKalb County Superior Court, not in State Court or Municipal Court.

What courts hear Roswell criminal cases?

Roswell Municipal Court handles city rule violations and minor traffic offenses. Impaired driving and misdemeanor cases that need a jury trial transfer to Fulton County State Court in downtown Atlanta. Felony charges from Roswell — drug trafficking, vehicular homicide, aggravated assault — are prosecuted in Fulton County Superior Court. The court depends on how serious your charges are.