William C. Head
Award-winning DUI lawyer near me & Author of Book on Georgia DUI Laws since 1995
- Biography
UGA,1973, with honors. UGA School of Law, 1976. Georgia DUI legal book co-author & DUI defense litigation practice, best attorney ratings. Top lawyer ratings with Martindale-Best Lawyers-Super Lawyers-Best Law Firms in America.
Chaired or co-chaired over 40 legal seminars for ICLE-GA beginning in 1978
In 1991, wrote 101 Ways to Avoid a Drunk Driving Conviction with co-author Reese I. Joye, Jr.
Started the annual 2-day seminar, Defense of Drinking Drivers handled by ICLE-GA
Speaker at the 1992 ATLA DC convention & the 1993 ATLA national convention
Sponsored the first NHTSA training seminar for criminal defense lawyers in Atlanta GA in July 1994. 32 DUI attorneys and expert witnesses were then certified as “students” (now called practitioners).
In October 1994, promoted and sponsored “Mastering Scientific Evidence in DUI-DWI Cases,” a 3-day seminar that included a mock trial with real jurors. This annual seminar is now handled by the Texas (TCDLA) Criminal Defense Lawyers’ Association.
In 1995, organized and helped launch the National College for DUI Defense. Was a Regent for several years.
This same year, wrote and self-published the definitive book on Georgia DUI laws, The Georgia DUI Trial Practice Manual. The 2023 book is now published by Thomson-Reuters and law partners Larry Kohn and Cory Yager co-author the annually updated books.
In 1996, built his first website, which later became the first successful national DWI-DUI lawyer Internet Directory, DrunkDrivingDefense.com.
In 1997, sponsored the first 4-day NHTSA training seminar for NHTSA instructors so that criminal defense attorneys could know the full training that police instructors receive.
Helped organize a 20-hour training course for DUI lawyers that showed the flaws and shortcomings of the Police DRE Program. Taught by Dr. Lance Platt, from Texas.
At NCDD Harvard program 2003, voted to DUI lawyer in America. Our law office offers free lawyer consultations.
- Practice Areas
- DUI & DWI
- Criminal Law
- Criminal Appeals, Drug Crimes, Expungement, Fraud, Gun Crimes, Internet Crimes, Sex Crimes, Theft, Violent Crimes
- Domestic Violence
- Domestic Violence Criminal Defense, Domestic Violence Restraining Orders
- Traffic Tickets
- Suspended License
- Cannabis & Marijuana Law
- Medical Marijuana
- Personal Injury
- Animal & Dog Bites, Brain Injury, Car Accidents, Construction Accidents, Motorcycle Accidents, Premises Liability, Truck Accidents, Wrongful Death
- Nursing Home Abuse
- Gov & Administrative Law
- Administrative Law
- Medical Malpractice
- Birth Injury, Medical Misdiagnosis, Pharmacy Errors, Surgical Errors
- Video Conferencing
- Fees
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Free Consultation
Initial appointment and FREE lawyer consultation. After a retainer is paid, our legal team offers payment plans which are paid monthly via credit card or check. For a 2nd opinion review of your pending criminal case (being handled by another criminal lawyer, our law office does requires a case review fee. This fee will be applied against our retainer fee, if we are hired by you for defending you. All case have court costs along the way, usually totaling a few hundred dollars. Insofar as how fees are charged, our legal team brackets fees in your case by the stages of a normal criminal case. The retainer will take you all the way to a trial, when your trial fee would be due. One rare exception for an additional fee could occur in the Prosecutor appealed or if Mr. Head asked for an interlocutory appeal, after motion hearings. This appeal fee and costs of the appeal would be extra. At motions or at trial you may need one or more expert witnesses, that you must pay. Possible appeal -
Credit Cards Accepted
As stated above, for criminal law cases, our legal firm accepts MasterCard, VISA, AMEX, and Discover. Some clients on payment plans prefer a month ACH payment from their bank to ours. -
Contingent Fees
Civil litigation cases like personal injury lawsuits are handled under contracts for contingent fees. Clients for criminal and DUI cases only pay flat fees, and not hourly, since the State Bar will not allow contingency fees on criminal defense work. Felonies cost more than misdemeanors. Some drug crimes require major fee amounts up front. Expungements are typical $1200 to 2500, depending on how many courts the petitions must be filed in. Through our 90 years of criminal defense, our GA lawyers have learned that this is the best plan for virtually every client with a criminal case. The fees are paid in stages, according to how much work on the criminal case is required to win, or find the best outcome short of going to trial. Some cases (like handling a TPOs — temporary restraining orders) in a domestic violence case, may require a fee for a jail visit or handling the hearing before the judge than comes next. Some identity theft, shoplifting, assault and similar crimes, too. -
Rates, Retainers and Additional Information
Not all personal injury lawyer cases will be accepted, but our law firm works with dozens of other personal injury lawyers in Athens, Macon, Savannah, Columbus, Albany, Dalton, Carrollton, Columbus, Thomasville, Valdosta, Douglas, Tifton, Statesboro, Toccoa, Dawsonville, Marietta, Alpharetta, Duluth and other Georgia cities that may be willing to take your injury case, accident case or wrongful death lawsuit. Flat fees on all criminal defense cases, like driving under the influence, with ranges from about $500 on traffic ticket case in the 4 metro Atlanta counties (Gwinnett courts, Cobb County courts, Fulton Courts, Dekalb Courts) like super speeder or a violation of Georgia car seat laws defense to felony fees adjusted to the seriousness of the offense. So, a simple possession of less than an ounce of marijuana, a misdemeanor, costs very little compared to a cannabis case for trafficking weed, with intent to distribute, which are serious felony offenses.
- Jurisdictions Admitted to Practice
- Georgia
- Since 1976
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- Languages
- English:
Spoken, Written - Spanish:
Spoken, Written
- Professional Experience
- Of Counsel
- Kohn & Yager LLC
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2017 –
Current
- With a heavy emphasis on driving under the influence criminal cases, our three lawyers set up a partnership of two professional corporations. Both Mr. Yager & Mr. Kohn have exclusively worked with Mr. Head’s criminal law practice since law school days. The two long-time criminal defense attorneys in Atlanta have earned stellar reputations & client ratings from their own law practice victories. While DUI/DWI charges are still #1 in their criminal law practices, other types of criminal defense cases like the following topics: Felonies Misdemeanors Administrative driver license suspension (implied consent or other causes). Assault Batter Simple Battery Sex crimes Prostitution Solicitation Record restriction (expunging criminal convictions) White collar crime Statutory rape Sexual assault Sexual abuse Child molestation Weapon Charges Drug crimes such as: Trafficking drugs, transporting drugs, manufacturing drugs, possession with intent to distribute, simple possession.
- Senior Partner
- Private Practice Law Firm since 1976
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1976 –
Current
- More than 4000 clients.
- Best Law Firms Honoree
- US News & World Report, Best Laws Firms in America
-
2019 –
2023
- Tier 1 Top-Rated Attorney
- Best Lawyers in America
-
2018 –
2023
- Best Lawyers Honoree
- Best Lawyers in America
-
2009 –
2023
- Every year since 2009
- Super Lawyer
- Super Lawyers
-
2008 –
2023
- 15th straight year of selection
- AVVO 10.0 rated attorney
- AVVO
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2008 –
2023
- AVVO 10.0 with over 135 client ratings
- Education
- University System of Georgia – University of Georgia
- J.D. (1976) | Law
-
1973
–
1976 - Honors: Barrister’s Club
- Activities: Moot Court General Board
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- University System of Georgia – University of Georgia
- B.A. (1973) | History
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1969
–
1973 - Intramural softball champions, 1970
- Honors: cum laude
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- Awards
- Super Lawyer in Atlanta GA
- Super Lawyers
- 2019
- Best Lawyers in Georgia
- Best Lawyers in America
- 2019
- Super Lawyer in Atlanta GA
- Super Lawyers
- 2018
- Best lawyers in Georgia
- Best Lawyers in America
- 2018
- Super Lawyer in Atlanta GA
- Super Lawyers
- 2017
- Best lawyers in Georgia
- Best Lawyers in America
- 2017
- This same year, named top DUI lawyer in Atlanta by Best Lawyers
- DUI Lawyer of the Year 2017
- Best Lawyers in America
- 2017
- Second time Best Lawyers has honored Mr. Head.
- Best Lawyers in Georgia
- Best Lawyers in America
- 2016
- One of fewer than 10 DUI defense attorneys in GA
- Georgia Super Lawyer
- Super Lawyers
- 2016
- 13th successive year named to be a Georgia Super Lawyer
- Best Lawyers in Georgia
- Best Lawyers in America
- 2015
- One of fewer than 10 DUI lawyers in the state
- Georgia Super Lawyer
- Super Lawyers
- 2015
- 12th successive year as GA Super lawyer
- Best Lawyer’s Category, DUI Defense
- Best Lawyers in America
- 2014
- Super Lawyers
- Superlawyers
- 2014
- Super Lawyers for 2013
- Superlawyers
- 2013
- Best Lawyer’s Category, DUI Defense
- Best Lawyers in America
- 2013
- Super Lawyers for 2012
- Superlawyers
- 2012
- Atlanta DUI Lawyer of the Year for 2012
- Best Lawyers in America
- 2012
- America’s most exclusive lawyer ratings service that comes from peer-reviewed surveys.
- Georgia Superlawyer
- Superlawyers
- 2011
- Best Lawyer’s Category, DUI Defense
- Best Lawyers in America
- 2011
- Martindale-Hubbell National Attorney Rating Service-Eminent Law Firm Award
- Martindale-Hubbell National Attorney Rating Service – Pre-Eminent
- 2010
- Our firm has been designated one of Martindale’s “Pre-Eminent Law Firms, an award that is bestowed upon only 7% of all law firms in America.
- Georgia SuperLawyer
- Superlawyers
- 2010
- Currently am a SuperLawyer in Personal Injury – General, Criminal Law and DUI defense.
- Highest Rated Attorney in Georgia, All Practice Areas, by Client Ratings
- AVVO National Attorney Ratings
- 2010
- Over 16,000 Georgia attorneys are listed. Mr. Head rates the highest, based on credentials and client ratings.
- Highest Rated Attorney in America, Litigation, by Client Ratings
- AVVO National Attorney Rating Service
- 2010
- With 92,000 attorneys listed as Litigation attorneys, Mr. Head currently is the highest rated Litigation attorney for this Directory, based on Client Ratings.
- Best Lawyer’s Category, DUI Defense
- Best Lawyers in America
- 2010
- Until 2010, Mr. Head was the SOLE listing for the State of Georgia for DUI Defense.
- Top 100 List
- ATLA – The American Trial Lawyers Association
- 2010
- National Trial Lawyers Organization.
- Best Lawyer’s Category, DUI Defense
- Best Lawyers in America
- 2009
- First Lawyer in GA to be named to Best Lawyer for DUI defense.
- Georgia Superlawyer
- Superlawyers
- 2009
- Georgia’s Legal Elite
- Georgia Trend Magazine
- 2009
- Award based on nominations from attorneys across Georgia
- Georgia Superlawyer
- Superlawyers
- 2008
- Georgia Superlawyer
- Superlawyers
- 2007
- Georgia Superlawyer
- Superlawyers
- 2006
- Georgia Superlawyer
- Superlawyers
- 2005
- Georgia Superlawyer
- Superlawyers
- 2004
- Best Attorney in America
- NCDD – National College for DUI Defense
- 2003
- The national organization voted on the top attorney in the nation.
- Board Certification in DUI Defense
- National College for DUI Defense
- 2003
- Mr. Head has been Board Certified as specialist in DUI Defense by the National College for DUI Defense. This organization petitioned the American Bar Association in 1999 and began theprocess of seeking NATIONAL status. The ABA approved NCDD.com as the sole source of this training in 2003. Only 70 attorneys nationwide have achieved Board Certification. Mr. Head has maintinaed his Certification throughout the time the designation of this field of specialty was created.
- Professional Associations
- DUIDLA
- Charter Member and Member of Board of Trustees for the Foundation
-
2014 –
Current - Activities: Mr. Head was invited to be a Charter Member of the DUIDLA, a democratically-run organization of DUI-DWI defense attorneys from across America. Mr. Head also serves as a Trustee of the DUIDLA Foundation, which has as its goal furthering the legal education of public defenders and novice trial lawyers who need advanced training in DUI-DWI practice, breathalyzer testing error, and blood test forensic science.
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- NACDL – National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers
- LIFE Member
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1998 –
Current - Activities: Largest group of criminal defense attorneys in America.
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- www.NCDD.com – National College for DUI Defense
- Founder and Regent (retired) – one of 12 Attorneys in Nation in Launch
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1995 –
Current -
- National College for DUI Defense
- Founder (1 of 12) and Program Speaker
-
1995 –
Current - Activities: The NCDD.com was organized in 1995 at Mr. Head’s office in Atlanta, along with 11 other DUI-DWI attorneys. Originally, a single summer training session was conducted in 1995. Then, a winter program was begun, which later was expanded to four annual, multi-day programs with FIXED locations at Las Vegas (FALL), Cambridge, MA (SUMMER), Mastering Scientific Evidence (NEW ORLEANS) and a winter program that “floats” to a variety of locations both inside and outside the USA.
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- Martindale-Hubbell National Attorney Rating Service
- Listed “av” rated attorney
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1992 –
Current - Activities: http://www.martindale.com/William-C-Head/855959-lawyer.htm?view=cr SEE 5.0 of possible 5.0 rating.
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- GACDL – Georgia Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers
- LIFE Member
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1977 –
Current -
- Georgia State Bar
- Member
-
1976 –
Current -
- GTLA – Georgia Trial Lawyers Association
- CHAMPION Member
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1978 –
2018 -
- GACDL.org
- DUI Bootcamp
-
1999 –
2017 - Activities: Periodically, the Georgia Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers sponsors a special training session for Public Defenders in Georgia. I have chaired each of these programs.
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- www.NCDD.com
- Mastering Scientific Evidence in DUI-DWI Cases
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1994 –
2016 - Activities: Mr. Head started this series of Forensic Evidence in Atlanta on October 14, 1994. In 2004, the series was taken over by the Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers Association and the National College for DUI Defense. Mr. Head was a featured speaker for most of the programs, but has now deferred being a speaker in favor of letting other lawyers be in the spotlight. An average of 200 attendees have taken this seminar for the last 10 years. The current program has being conducted in New Orleans the past five years, but prior programs have been held in Dallas, Houston, Miami and Gulfport, MS, after several successful programs in Atlanta.
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- Georgia Institute for Continuing Legal Education
- Defense of Drinking Drivers Institute
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1992 –
2015 - Activities: I have chaired or co-chaired this non-profit seminar for 16 of the 22 years it has been conducted. It is the largest DUI training seminar in Georgia each year.
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- ABA – American Bar Association
- Member
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1978 –
2015 -
- SCACDL – South Carolina Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers
- Founding Member
-
1993 –
1999 -
- Publications
- The Georgia DUI Trial Practice Manual
- Thomson Reuters
- June, 2019
- The Georgia DUI Trial Practice Manual
- Thomson-Reuters (West)
- June, 2018
- The DUI Book – California Edition
- Headlines
- January 1, 2010
- The DUI Book – Tennessee Edition
- Headlines
- January 1, 2010
- The DUI Book – New Hampshire Edition
- Headlines
- January 1, 2009
- The DUI Book – Washington Edition
- Headlines
- October, 2008
- The DUI Book – Florida Edition
- Headlines
- January 1, 2007
- The DUI Book – Michigan Edition
- Headlines
- January 1, 2007
- The DUI Book – Washington Edition
- Headlines
- January 1, 2007
- The DUI Book – New York Edition
- Headlines
- January 1, 2007
- The DUI Book
- Headlines
- January, 2006
- 101 Ways to Avoid a Drunk Driving Conviction
- Maximar Publishing
- 1991
- Websites & Blogs
- Board Certified in DUI Defense
- www.NCDD.com
- Contact & Address
- Rate This Lawyer