Criminal Defense Attorneys in Dunwoody, GA

An arrest in Dunwoody, whether for DUI after a night out or something more serious, is usually prosecuted through DeKalb County. Speak free of charge with a Georgia-licensed criminal defense attorney working here.

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How we match your Dunwoody criminal defense case

When you submit a Dunwoody criminal defense matter, we route it through a national network of independent partner firms and put it in front of the one that fits best — based on the kind of case it is, what it is likely to involve, where it has to be handled, and who has capacity to take it on now.

Case type

A criminal defense matter needs someone who handles criminal defense work day to day, not a generalist. Practice area is the first filter.

Size and complexity

Some firms are built for catastrophic injury and multi-party litigation; others resolve straightforward claims quickly. We weigh what your matter is likely to involve against how each firm actually works.

Jurisdiction and licensing

Your matter is decided under Georgia law, so it goes to an attorney licensed in Georgia who regularly appears where your case would be heard.

Capacity and fit

Availability, conflicts of interest and language all matter. If the best-fit firm cannot take your case, we route it to the next one that can — or tell you plainly when no one in the network is the right answer.

Every partner reviews your case for free. Injury and workers’ compensation matters are handled on contingency — no fee unless you win. Other matters are quoted upfront, before you commit to anything.

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Criminal Defense cases in Dunwoody

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Dunwoody's own police department patrols the Perimeter Center retail district, the I-285 and Ashford Dunwoody corridors, and the neighborhoods around Dunwoody Village, so local charges often start with a traffic stop, a shoplifting allegation at a mall-area store, or a DUI arrest on a busy weekend night. Ordinance and many traffic matters are handled in Dunwoody Municipal Court, while felony cases are prosecuted in DeKalb County Superior Court, and some conduct draws federal charges instead. DearLegal matches you with a Georgia-licensed attorney who handles criminal defense cases in Dunwoody, with a free review.

Felony prosecutions from Dunwoody arrests proceed in DeKalb County Superior Court; municipal ordinance and many traffic cases begin in Dunwoody Municipal Court.
The Perimeter Center retail and hotel district and the interstate corridors generate a large share of traffic, DUI, and theft charges.
Arrests just outside city limits in Sandy Springs, Brookhaven, or Gwinnett County are handled by those jurisdictions' courts instead.

Georgia criminal defense rules at a glance

Dunwoody cases run under Georgia law. The full walkthrough — timeline, when to call, case types, and what a recovery can include — is on the Georgia page.

Read the full Georgia criminal defense guide →

Felony Statute of Limitations: No limit
No limit for murder, armed robbery, kidnapping; 15 years for serious sex offenses against minors; 7 years for most other felonies; 4 years for property/financial felonies (O.C.G.A. § 17-3-1)
Misdemeanor Statute of Limitations: 2 years
2 years for most misdemeanors (O.C.G.A. § 17-3-1(d))
Sentencing Structure: Indeterminate ranges
Indeterminate ranges in individual statutes; Seven Deadly Sins mandatory minimums under O.C.G.A. § 17-10-6.1; Habitual Violator/recidivist under § 17-10-7; Georgia Sentencing Guidelines (advisory)
Expungement / Record Sealing: 4 years
O.C.G.A. § 35-3-37 (record restriction); SB 288 (2020) expanded restriction to many misdemeanor convictions after 4 years; First Offender Act (§ 42-8-60) — no conviction entered on successful completion
Bail / Pretrial Release: Bail
Bail under O.C.G.A. § 17-6-1; constitutional right to bail with exceptions for capital offenses and the Seven Deadly Sins; Superior Court must set bond for most felonies (§ 17-6-1(b))
Typical attorney fee: Hourly
Hourly / Flat Fee

Exhibit D

How much do Dunwoody criminal defense attorneys cost?

Typical fee schedule

Georgia · Criminal Defense

Fee modelHourly / Flat Fee

Feequoted per petition or matter

Filing costsitemized upfront

Case reviewFree

Illustrative only. Your fee terms are set in a written agreement with your attorney and may include costs and expenses regardless of outcome.

Criminal Defense matters in Georgia are usually a flat fee per filing — quoted before you commit, not billed by the hour.

Criminal defense attorneys in Georgia work on hourly or flat-fee retainers — contingency fees are prohibited in criminal cases under Ga. R. Prof. Conduct 1.5(d) and ABA Model Rule 1.5(d). Misdemeanors and most felonies are flat-fee; complex cases use hourly billing. Georgia’s circuit-based Public Defender system represents indigent defendants.

A good attorney walks through every number at your free consultation — before you sign anything.

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Exhibit F

Dunwoody criminal defense questions, answered

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It depends on the charge. City ordinance violations and many traffic citations start in Dunwoody Municipal Court, misdemeanors and felonies from a Dunwoody arrest are generally handled in DeKalb County courts, and felonies are prosecuted in DeKalb County Superior Court. Certain cases, such as some drug, firearm, or fraud allegations, can be brought federally instead.

You have the right to remain silent and to have a lawyer present, and using those rights is not an admission of anything. Statements made before you have counsel are frequently the strongest evidence against a defendant. The safer approach is to say you want a lawyer and let an attorney handle communication with investigators.

Georgia has record restriction and, in some situations, first-offender treatment or diversion that can limit what shows up on background checks, but eligibility depends on the charge, the outcome, and your history. Some dispositions cannot be restricted later, which is why decisions early in the case matter. A Georgia attorney can assess your options before you plead.

No. Politely decline and ask for an attorney. Georgia law enforcement — Atlanta PD, GBI, GSP, county sheriffs — use trained interrogation techniques. Anything you say can and will be used. Invoke your Fifth Amendment right to silence and Sixth Amendment right to counsel under Miranda.

Yes. Georgia misdemeanors carry up to 12 months in jail and $1,000 fines under O.C.G.A. § 17-10-3. Many misdemeanors are eligible for Pretrial Intervention or Diversion through county DAs. First Offender Act treatment (§ 42-8-60) preserves no-conviction status if available. DV misdemeanors trigger federal § 922(g)(9) firearm ban.