Carrollton DUI Defense Attorney
Being charged with DUI in Carrollton can turn your life upside down overnight—especially if you’re worried about jail, your license, your job, or school at UWG. Whether you were stopped on Highway 27, near the Square, or close to the University of West Georgia, you need a Carrollton DUI lawyer who knows Georgia DUI law and the local Carroll County court system.
Garner Law Office is based just up the road in Dallas and regularly defends drivers across West Georgia. We focus on strategic DUI defense: protecting your license, challenging the evidence, and pushing for reductions or dismissals whenever the facts allow.
Local Carrollton & Carroll County DUI Defense
DUI cases in Carrollton typically run through Carroll County courts, and the choices you make in the first few days after arrest can have a huge impact on the outcome. That includes how you handle your Administrative License Suspension (ALS) deadline, what you say in court, and whether you hire an attorney who truly understands DUI defense.
Our firm:
- Defends Carrollton and Carroll County drivers charged with DUI, DUI Less Safe, underage DUI, and related offenses.
- Works with UWG students, faculty, and staff as well as longtime Carrollton residents.
- Appears in local Carroll County courts, negotiating with prosecutors and presenting strong defenses when cases go to motions or trial.
Whether your case started with a traffic stop on Maple Street near campus, a checkpoint on Highway 27, or a wreck outside town, our job as your Carrollton DUI attorney is to protect your record and your future.
How We Defend Carrollton DUI Cases
Every DUI case is different, and a good defense is never one-size-fits-all. When you hire us, we dig into the facts and the law to look for weaknesses in the state’s case and opportunities to limit or avoid the harshest penalties.
Our Carrollton DUI defense work typically includes:
- Reviewing the stop and arrest
We examine why you were pulled over, whether the officer had reasonable suspicion or probable cause, and whether your rights were respected. If the stop or arrest was unlawful, we may be able to get key evidence thrown out. - Challenging field sobriety tests
Officers often rely heavily on roadside tests like the walk-and-turn or one-leg stand. We look at how they were explained and performed, whether there were environmental factors (darkness, uneven ground), and whether the officer followed standard procedures. - Scrutinizing breath, blood, and urine tests
We investigate how your test was administered, whether the implied consent warning was read correctly, and whether the equipment was properly maintained and calibrated. Problems with testing can lead to reduced charges or dismissed evidence. - Protecting your driver’s license
After a Georgia DUI arrest, you generally have about 30 days to request an ALS hearing or choose an ignition interlock option. We handle that deadline, represent you at the ALS hearing, and work to prevent or reduce a license suspension. - Negotiating reductions and alternative outcomes
When dismissal isn’t realistic, we often focus on reducing a DUI to reckless driving or another lesser offense—especially important for students, CDL holders, and professionals. We know what Carroll County prosecutors and judges typically consider in these negotiations. - Preparing for trial when necessary
If your case needs to go to trial, we are prepared to cross-examine officers, challenge the evidence, and present your side to the judge or jury. We will always be honest with you about the risks and benefits of taking a case that far.
Why Choose Garner Law Office for a Carrollton DUI?
You have plenty of choices, including large Atlanta firms that may advertise in Carroll County. So why work with a West Georgia firm like ours?
Close-by, but not “downtown”
Our Dallas office is a short drive from Carrollton, and we consider Carroll County part of our core service area. You get a DUI lawyer who regularly practices in West Georgia, not someone who only sees Carrollton as a distant satellite.
Focused DUI defense
We stay up to date on Georgia DUI law, field sobriety testing standards, ALS rules, and license issues. This isn’t a side practice area for us—it’s a key part of what we do.
Personal attention, not a case conveyor belt
You’ll work directly with your attorney, who learns your story, your goals (keeping your license, job, or scholarship), and keeps you informed every step of the way.
Availability when you need it
DUI arrests often happen at night or on weekends. We offer free consultations and encourage you to contact us as soon as possible after your arrest so we can protect your rights from day one.
Serving Carrollton Drivers and the Carroll County Area
We defend people charged with DUI in:
- Carrollton (city limits and surrounding areas)
- The rest of Carroll County
- Nearby communities like Villa Rica, Bowdon, and Temple
Whether you’re a UWG student pulled over a mile from campus, a commuter ticketed after a traffic stop on Highway 27, or a longtime Carrollton resident facing a repeat DUI, our Carroll County DUI lawyer is ready to help you build a plan and fight back.
Carrollton DUI Defense FAQ
Where will my Carrollton DUI case be heard?
Most misdemeanor DUI cases from Carrollton are handled in Carroll County courts. Depending on where you were arrested, your case may start in a local municipal court but is often bound over to Carroll County State Court for final resolution. We guide you through each step and appear with you in whichever court has your case, making sure you understand what every court date means and what we’re trying to accomplish at each stage.
Do I need a local Carrollton lawyer, or is any DUI lawyer okay?
Any Georgia-licensed attorney can legally represent you, but having someone familiar with West Georgia—and specifically the Carroll County court system—can be a real advantage. We know how local judges and prosecutors typically approach first-time DUIs, high-BAC cases, refusals, and repeat offenses, and we tailor our strategy accordingly. With us, you get both DUI-specific experience and local insight.
I’m a UWG student charged with DUI. Will the University find out or punish me?
The University of West Georgia has its own student conduct rules, and in some situations a DUI could trigger school-related consequences, especially if it affects your enrollment, housing, or scholarships. Many off-campus DUIs do not automatically result in discipline, but every case is different. Our focus is to minimize the criminal and license consequences, and we can also discuss how to handle any required disclosures to UWG, potential impact on financial aid, and steps you can take to show responsibility if the school becomes involved.
Can you get my Carrollton DUI reduced to reckless driving?
In some cases, yes. Reducing a DUI to reckless driving can significantly improve the outcome—especially for your driving record and long-term consequences. We look at factors such as your BAC level, whether there was an accident, how the stop and testing were handled, and your prior record. When the facts allow, we use those factors to argue for a reduction with the Carroll County prosecutor. While no reduction can be guaranteed, it is often a primary goal when it serves your best interests.
What are common penalties for a first-time DUI in Carroll County?
For a first DUI in Georgia—and Carroll County is no exception—you face:
- At least 24 hours in jail (often satisfied by time spent in custody after arrest)
- Up to 12 months on probation
- Fines plus court costs (often several hundred dollars or more)
- Mandatory DUI School (risk reduction program)
- Community service (often at least 40 hours)
- License suspension, with possible limited driving permit if you qualify
Our job is to work toward an outcome that minimizes extra jail time, protects your license as much as possible, and avoids a permanent DUI conviction when the facts support a better result.