Best Atlanta Criminal Defense Attorneys

Yeargan & Kert is an Atlanta DUI defense firm run by former DUI prosecutors. Founding attorney Jim Yeargan, known locally as "DUI Jim," also trains police officers. He holds the same NHTSA field sobriety certification officers use at the roadside.

The firm charges one flat fee for the whole case. That fee covers motions, the license hearing, and a jury trial. Clients get direct 24/7 access to Jim.

Past results include dismissed high-BAC cases and second offenses reduced to reckless driving. The team covers courts in Fulton and Cobb counties. Jim Yeargan is a Super Lawyers pick and a National Trial Lawyers Top 100 member.

Attorney David Schnipper worked in two District Attorneys' offices before switching to defense work. He now runs Schnipper Law, P.C. from DeKalb County, with a satellite office in Buckhead.

The firm handles DUI arrests, expungements, juvenile cases, and white-collar charges. Some clients qualify for pretrial diversion programs that keep their cases out of court. Schnipper also takes car accident and injury claims.

New clients get a free one-hour consultation. He has also represented out-of-state clients without making them return to Georgia.

Issa and Castro LLC is a bilingual Buckhead law firm led by Mark Issa and Miguel Castro. Its attorneys bring more than 50 years of combined experience.

Mark Issa handles criminal and DUI defense, and the firm has won murder acquittals. The practice also takes personal injury claims and has recovered millions for accident victims. The firm also runs a second office in Jacksonville, Florida.

Traffic tickets are the main focus at Georgia Traffic Lawyers, led by attorney Scott Fortas. He has practiced traffic law since 2007 and has resolved more than 10,000 tickets.

The team fights speeding tickets, Super Speeder fines, reckless driving, and CDL violations. It also handles suspended licenses and missed court dates. Drivers can upload a photo of their ticket for a quick review.

Scott Fortas takes cases in most Georgia counties from his office near Dunwoody.

David S. West is a Marietta criminal defense lawyer who has practiced since 1994. His firm, David West & Associates, represents clients at every stage of Georgia's criminal justice system.

Cases range from marijuana possession to armed robbery, homicide, and federal crimes. The team also handles criminal appeals, pardons, and paroles. West has appeared on CNN, Fox, and 48 Hours, and in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

Matt Hirsch defends clients in DeKalb, Fulton, Cobb, and Gwinnett courts. He has practiced Georgia criminal law for more than two decades. His firm takes both misdemeanors and felonies.

His caseload includes domestic violence, gun crimes, shoplifting, and bench warrants. He also guides first-time offenders through the process. Super Lawyers has listed Matt Hirsch since 2021.

W. Scott Smith, P.C. is a downtown Atlanta law firm that defends misdemeanor and felony charges. The office serves clients throughout metro Atlanta.

Much of its work involves DUI cases, including first offenses. The firm also handles drug crime and forgery charges.

Michael D. Barber Jr. once taught DUI classes to Atlanta police and served as a city solicitor. His Dunwoody firm, Michael D. Barber & Associates, is staffed by former prosecutors.

The team defends DUI, drug, theft, and violent crime charges across metro Atlanta. It also takes boating-under-the-influence cases. Barber is a member of the National College for DUI Defense.

Matthew T. McNally is an Atlanta criminal defense attorney and a former Assistant District Attorney. He prosecuted cases in the Cobb and Coweta judicial circuits before opening his own office.

McNally keeps his caseload small and handles each case personally. He has tried more than 70 jury trials, and his record includes a murder acquittal. His work also covers drug trafficking and embezzlement. Financing options are available.

More than 3,000 criminal cases have passed through The Abt Law Firm. Led by E. Jay Abt, the Atlanta firm focuses only on criminal defense.

Its lawyers take on serious felonies, including murder, sex crimes, drug offenses, and fraud. They have tried cases in courtrooms across Georgia and also appear in federal court.

Weintraub & Alper Legal is a Midtown Atlanta defense practice that has served clients since 1985. Founding partner Howard Weintraub is a former Assistant U.S. Attorney and Justice Department prosecutor.

The firm handles DUI, drug, and felony cases in state and federal courts. Weintraub also teaches trial techniques at Emory University School of Law.

Judy Kim runs an affordable criminal defense practice in Buckhead with Spanish-speaking staff. She has been named a Super Lawyers Rising Star and a Top 100 Trial Lawyer.

Her results include felony gun and aggravated assault charges reduced to misdemeanors. She also defends violent crime and weapons cases.

The Maloof Law Firm is a Decatur defense practice that has served DeKalb County since 1975. Three generations of attorneys have worked at the firm.

Its lawyers have handled federal conspiracy trials, large cocaine cases, and municipal court misdemeanors. The firm also represents accident victims.

Joseph A. Conoscienti has worked in Atlanta and Georgia criminal courts for more than three decades. He leads the criminal practice at Conoscienti & Ledbetter in downtown Decatur.

Partner J. Blake Ledbetter runs the civil side. The firm defends DUI, assault, and drug charges and is available around the clock.