DUI Lawyer, Athens GA
Your trusted DUI attorney in Athens GA is here to protect your rights and freedom.
- Nearly 50 years defending DUI clients in Athens-Clarke County
- Board-Certified sub-specialists in DUI defense
- Proven strategies to challenge chemical tests and roadside exams
- Full criminal representation + ALS (license suspension) hearings
- Personalized, local advocacy
Our Services
Our DUI lawyer in Athens GA offers a comprehensive suite of defense services designed to tackle every conceivable challenge:
Challenge Chemical Test
Examine calibration logs, operator training, and lab procedures to expose flaws in breath or blood testing devices.
Field Sobriety Test Defense
Medical and technical experts debunk improper roadside testing conditions and officer errors.
Repeat & Multiple Offenses
Tailored defense strategies for second, third, and even eighth DUI charges. This minimizes penalties and jail risk.
Felony DUI & Serious Injury
Accident reconstruction specialists challenge causation to fight felony DUI and injury-by-vehicle charges.
License Suspension Hearings (ALS)
Seamless representation at OSAH administrative hearings to protect your driving privileges.
Plea Negotiations & Pre-Trial Motions
Leverage our reputation and pre-trial motions to secure dismissals or reduced charges.
About Us
Since 1976, our Athens office has been home to some of Georgia’s most respected DUI attorneys:
- William C. “Bubba” Head: A legend in Clarke County, Bubba started defending DUI cases as soon as he graduated law school. He’s tried hundreds of jury trials and co-authors Georgia’s premier DUI treatise.
- Cory Yager: A former police officer turned DUI attorney, Cory brings insider knowledge of law enforcement procedures and breath-testing protocols.
- Larry Kohn: Recognized as a Georgia Super Lawyer, board-certified by the American Bar Association, and named among Best Lawyers in America, Larry co-authors our 1,400-page DUI practice manual published by Thomson-Reuters.
Our Core Values
- Client-First Approach: Your case is not a number. We tailor strategies to your unique circumstances.
- Unwavering Commitment: From first phone call to final verdict, we stand by you.
- Proven Trial Success: Over 90% of our non-plea cases have gone before juries, resulting in dismissals, acquittals, or hung juries.
- Local Courtroom Mastery: We know all the key players, judges, prosecutors, clerks, and we use that insight to your advantage.
When you choose us as your DUI lawyer Athens GA, you’re gaining a team with unparalleled experience and a winning record.
Deeper Dive into Our Services
Challenging Chemical Tests
Chemical tests form the backbone of most DUI prosecutions. Yet, studies show that even well-maintained breathalyzers can yield false readings due to improper calibration, temperature fluctuations, or user error. Our forensic chemists:
- Audit maintenance logs to confirm timely calibration
- Verify operator training and certification
- Test the machine’s performance under varied conditions
- Examine chain-of-custody documentation for blood samples
- Scrutinize lab procedures for contamination risks
By exposing these vulnerabilities, our DUI attorney in Athens GA team frequently secures evidence suppression, weakening the prosecution’s case or forcing dismissals.
Field Sobriety Test Defense
Roadside sobriety tests demand strict adherence to NHTSA guidelines. A minor deviation can render the test unreliable. We investigate:
- Environmental factors: lighting, weather, surface
- Officer’s training, certification, and bias
- Medical conditions: injuries, disabilities, medications
- Video evidence: dashcam and personal recordings
We then consult biomechanics experts and medical professionals to recreate the test conditions, often demonstrating that a single stumble is not proof of impairment
Repeat & Multiple Offenses
Georgia’s DUI laws become harsher with each subsequent conviction:
- First-Offense DUI: Up to $1,000 fine, 12 months’ probation, license suspension
- Second/Third Offense (within 10 years): Increased fines, longer probation, potential jail
- Felony DUI (Fourth+ Offense): Misdemeanor escalates to felony, up to 5 years’ probation
For repeat offenders, our strategies emphasize diversion programs, time-served credit, and negotiating treatment alternatives to minimize the long-term impact on your record.
License Suspension Hearings (ALS)
An Administrative License Suspension can ground you for up to a year, even if your criminal case is later dismissed. At a non-criminal OSAH hearing, we argue:
- Lack of probable cause for the traffic stop
- Improper administration of the GA implied consent notice
- Breathalyzer inaccuracies or tampering
Our success rate in keeping clients on the road is among the highest in Georgia, giving you time to fight the criminal charge without losing your livelihood.
Plea Negotiation & Pre-Trial Motions
When evidence is weak, we push for complete dismissals via motions to suppress. When trials pose unnecessary risks, we negotiate:
- Reduced charges (e.g., reckless driving instead of DUI)
- Alternative sentencing (community service, treatment programs)
- Deferred adjudication to avoid a permanent conviction
Our reputation as trial attorneys coupled with strong pre-trial advocacy, gives us leverage that benefits every client.
Felony DUI & Serious Injury Defense
DUI cases involving accidents with injuries introduce complex liability issues. We:
- Retain accident reconstruction experts to dispute fault and causation
- Analyze vehicle damage, skid marks, and witness statements
- Challenge police incident reports for inconsistencies
By undermining the prosecution’s narrative, we aim to reduce felony charges to misdemeanors whenever possible.
About DUI Cases & Proceedings We Handle
Our Athens DUI lawyer team knows that no two DUI arrests are the same. We handle:
Criminal Case Types
- First-Offense DUI (Alcohol & Drugs)
- Second & Third-Offense DUIs within 10 years
- Fourth-Offense Felony DUI
- DUI-Drugs & Prescription Medication Cases
- Serious Injury by Vehicle & Vehicular Homicide
Administrative Proceedings
- ALS (Administrative License Suspension) Hearings
- SR-22 Insurance Filings & Appeals
- Bond & Bail Negotiations
- DUI School & Treatment Program Waivers
Whether your case begins in Athens-Clarke Municipal Court or State Court, our Athens Ga DUI attorneys guide you through arraignments, pre-trial hearings, and jury trials.
Common Pitfalls & Defensive Strategies
Every DUI arrest comes with potential defenses, if you know where to look. Our DUI attorney approach examines:
- Improper Traffic Stops
If officers lacked reasonable suspicion for a stop, all evidence including breath tests can be suppressed. We challenge stops based on traffic citations, weaving together dashcam footage, witness testimony, and police reports to prove the stop was unlawful. - Faulty Breathalyzer Calibration
Breathalyzers require regular maintenance. Missing or expired calibration stickers, operator errors, or untrained technicians can render results unreliable. We subpoena maintenance logs and operator training records to attack the machine’s credibility. - Officer Error in Field Sobriety Tests
Deviation from NHTSA protocols improper instructions, uneven testing surfaces, or rushed administrations, can invalidate FST results. We cross-examine arresting officers, highlight deficiencies, and use expert testimony to recreate testing scenarios. - Chain-of-Custody & Blood Draw Issues
Blood tests hinge on airtight chain-of-custody. We examine every transfer, storage, and labeling step. Any gap between improper seals, mismatched labels, or delayed transport can lead to evidence suppression. - Constitutional Violations
From missing Miranda warnings to unreasonable searches, we scrutinize every phase of your encounter with law enforcement. A single violation can force prosecutors to drop charges entirely. - Medical & Physiological Factors
Health conditions like acid reflux, diabetes, or injuries can mimic intoxication symptoms. We consult medical experts to demonstrate non-alcohol-related causes for slurred speech or poor balance.
By anticipating these pitfalls, our DUI lawyer in Athens GA team crafts defenses tailored to the specific details of your arrest.
Frequently Asked Questions
Bubba Head specializes in handling both misdemeanor and felony DUI cases. His practice includes DUI charges involving alcohol, drugs, and serious injury by vehicle charges. He also defends clients facing charges of DUI with prior offenses, including 8th DUI offenses. If you’re looking for a DUI lawyer in Athens, GA, Bubba Head has the expertise to help.
A criminal DUI hearing addresses the legal charges related to impaired driving and potential penalties, such as fines, jail time, or probation. A civil ALS (Administrative License Suspension) hearing, on the other hand, deals with the potential suspension of your driver’s license. The ALS hearing is scheduled separately from the criminal case and is not a criminal trial.
One significant benefit of moving a DUI case to Athens-Clarke County State Court is the ability to have a jury trial. The Municipal Court does not offer jury trials, but the State Court does, which can provide a better opportunity for a favorable verdict. The team at Bubba Head’s office is experienced in handling jury trials and using them to challenge DUI charges effectively.
Yes, Bubba Head’s firm is equipped to handle both misdemeanor and felony DUI cases. Whether you are facing a first-time DUI charge or multiple offenses, including felony DUI charges for serious injury by vehicle, the firm has the expertise to provide a strong defense.
In Athens, a DUI conviction results in a mandatory 12-month probation period for all misdemeanor DUI cases. This probation must be served in full unless jail time is sentenced, in which case the probation period can be adjusted. For repeat offenders, probation can last longer, especially if the DUI is a felony. If you’re seeking an Athens DUI attorney, Bubba Head can help you understand your probationary requirements.
Bubba Head has an excellent success rate in DUI jury trials, having handled many cases in which charges were reduced or dismissed. He has tried more DUI cases than many attorneys in the area, and his firm’s knowledge of DUI law and trial experience contributes to its high success rate.
Let’s Get Started
Your future is too important to leave to chance. When you need a dui attorney Athens GA, call 1-888-839-4384 for a free, no-obligation consultation. We’ll explain your rights, outline every defense option, and build a strategy to keep you on the road and out of jail.
Every day you wait, evidence deteriorates and deadlines loom. Reach out now—because the sooner we begin, the stronger your defense will be.
More Athens, GA DUI Lawyer Resources
If you’d like to learn more about our Athens DUI lawyers, read some of our informative articles below.