Gwinnett County Criminal Defense Attorney
Gwinnett County Criminal Defense & DUI Lawyers | Kohn & Yager LLC
If you have been arrested or charged with a crime in Gwinnett County, hiring an experienced criminal defense attorney early can shape the outcome of your case. Gwinnett is Georgia's second-most-populous county. Its court system handles thousands of criminal matters each year. Three primary courts process these cases: Superior Court, State Court, and Recorder's Court in Lawrenceville.
Kohn & Yager LLC defends the full range of criminal charges in Gwinnett County. Our criminal defense lawyers handle felonies, misdemeanors, DUI, domestic violence, assault, theft, drug offenses, and traffic violations. A Gwinnett County criminal lawyer from our firm can review your situation. We will explain your options.
Contact Kohn & Yager LLC for a free case review. An attorney will discuss the facts of your arrest. We will identify which court will hear your case. We will outline the defense strategies that may apply.
Gwinnett County Recorders Court Information: Address, Phone Number, Citation Payment, Traffic Ticket Lookup
Gwinnett County has the second-highest population in Georgia. With over 900,000 residents, it sees thousands of traffic violations each month. All traffic citations issued within the city limits of Lawrenceville are handled by the Gwinnett County Recorder's Court. This court is also known as Gwinnett Traffic Court. The court is located at 115 Stone Mountain Street in Lawrenceville, GA 30046. For questions, contact the court by phone at (877) 794-0988 or by email at recorderscourtinfo@gwinnettcounty.com. Recorder's Court operates out of three courtrooms. Calendars are scheduled in the morning at 8:00 AM and in the afternoon at 1:00 PM. The supervising attorney for the Recorder's Court is Allison Cauthen. Prosecutors assigned to this court are assistant solicitors from the Gwinnett County State Court Solicitor's Office. The court is presided over by Chief Judge Kathrine Armstrong, Judge Mihae Park, and Judge Wesley Person.
For the court process, deadlines, and penalties for a drunk driving charge in this county, see our Gwinnett County DUI lawyer page.
How to Pay Your Traffic Ticket Online (If Eligible)
To look up and pay your traffic citation online, have your citation number ready. Go to the Gwinnett County traffic ticket lookup tool. Paying the citation online is the same as pleading guilty. You are subject to all penalties associated with that charge. Not all traffic tickets are eligible to be paid online. DUI charges, driving with a suspended license, and other serious violations are not eligible. These require a mandatory court appearance.
Alternative Traffic Citation Payment Options at Gwinnett County Recorder's Court
If you cannot pay your traffic ticket online, this traffic court offers alternative payment options. You can pay by mail, in person, or in a drop box.
To pay by mail, send your payment to the address above. Only cashier's checks and money orders will be accepted. Include a copy of your Uniform Traffic Citation with your payment.
To pay in person, visit the Gwinnett County Recorder's Court Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
DUI Defense in Gwinnett County
DUI is one of the most common criminal charges our firm defends in Gwinnett County. A drunk driving arrest triggers two separate legal proceedings. The criminal case moves through the court system. At the same time, the arresting officer issues a DDS Form 1205. This starts a separate administrative license suspension process through the Georgia Department of Driver Services.
Checkpoint stops are a regular source of Gwinnett DUI arrests. A Gwinnett County DUI lawyer will look closely at how the roadblock was planned, supervised, and run.
Under Georgia law, driving under the influence is a misdemeanor for a first conviction. The penalties include a fine of $300 to $1,000, mandatory community service, and a required DUI Risk Reduction Program. A sentence usually carries a probation term as well, and a DUI probation violation can bring the case back before the same judge.
Most Gwinnett County DUI cases begin in Recorder's Court. If you plead not guilty or demand a jury trial, your case goes to the State Court of Gwinnett County. Further proceedings then take place in that court.
You have only 30 days from the notice of suspension to challenge the administrative license suspension. You can instead request an ignition interlock device limited driving permit, which waives that hearing. Time is critical.
A first DUI conviction cannot be expunged in Georgia. For a full breakdown of the court process, penalties, and defense strategies specific to this county, visit our Gwinnett County DUI lawyer page.
What Happens After Your Appearance at Gwinnett Recorder's Court?
Once your case is resolved in Recorder's Court in Lawrenceville, the court submits the final outcome to the Georgia Department of Driver Services. The outcome is also called a disposition. The Georgia Department of Driver Services handles the license consequences for traffic violations and DUIs in Georgia. The court system does not handle these consequences.
The Department of Driver Services may add points to your license, suspend your driver's license, or revoke your driver's license. A DUI does not add points to your license. A driver whose license is suspended may also be served in person with a DDS Form 1150, the official notice of that suspension.
In Georgia, you need 15 points within a 24-month span for your license to be suspended. For drivers under 21, this threshold is lower. You need only one conviction of any offense that carries four or more points to face license suspension. For drivers under age 18, four points within 12 months will trigger a suspension.
For example, suppose you are convicted of reckless driving after your mandatory court appearance. Reckless driving is a four-point violation. If you are under 21, your driver's license will be suspended by Georgia DDS. A driver 21 or older will accumulate four points but will not face automatic license suspension from that conviction alone.
Before you attend a mandatory appearance at Gwinnett Traffic Court, understand how many points you have on your license. You can find this information by creating or visiting your DDS Online Services Account. This is also important before you decide to pay your fine.
Your DUI May Be Handled at the State Court of Gwinnett County, GA
If you request a jury trial or plead not guilty to a DUI in Gwinnett County, your case will be bound over. This means it will be transferred to the State Court of Gwinnett County. This court is also known as Gwinnett County State Court.
Jury trials and bench trials each have pros and cons. A jury trial vs. a bench trial is a decision in which an experienced Gwinnett County DUI lawyer can advise you.
Attorneys Larry Kohn and Cory Yager will study your case thoroughly. They will recommend the best course of action based on the facts.
William C. Head – better known as Bubba Head – reviews DUI matters for the firm as well.
The State Court in Gwinnett is located at: 75 Langley Drive, Lawrenceville, GA 30046. The phone number for Gwinnett County State Court is: (770) 822-8100.
Talk to a Gwinnett County Criminal Defense Attorney
If you are facing criminal charges in Gwinnett County, Kohn & Yager LLC offers a free case review. During the consultation, an attorney will review the facts of your arrest or citation. The attorney will explain which court will hear your case. We will discuss the potential defenses available. We will also go over fees and payment plans.
Contacting a criminal defense lawyer in Gwinnett County before your first court date gives your legal team time to gather evidence, file motions, and negotiate with prosecutors. Early legal representation may make a meaningful difference in misdemeanor cases in State Court. It may also make a meaningful difference in felony indictments in Superior Court.
Every case is different and outcomes depend on the specific facts and applicable law. Call Kohn & Yager LLC at (404) 567-5515 today to schedule your free consultation. Learn how a criminal defense attorney can help protect your rights in Gwinnett County.
Charges We Defend in Gwinnett County
DUI – Driving under the influence is a misdemeanor for a first or second offense in Georgia. A fourth DUI within ten years is a felony. DUI cases typically begin in Recorder's Court and move to State Court if you demand a jury trial. For details on the Gwinnett DUI court process and defense strategies, see our Gwinnett County DUI lawyer page.
Domestic Violence – Domestic violence charges in Georgia often involve allegations of family violence battery or family violence assault. Officers may arrest without a warrant on probable cause, and these cases may include protective orders. Protective orders affect where you can live and work. Our firm defends clients facing domestic violence charges across Gwinnett County courts. Learn more on our Georgia domestic violence defense page.
Assault and Battery – Georgia law distinguishes between simple assault, simple battery, aggravated assault, and aggravated battery. Simple battery is a misdemeanor. It carries up to 12 months in jail and a fine up to $1,000. Aggravated assault is a felony heard in Superior Court with significant prison exposure. Visit our assault and battery defense page for more information.
Shoplifting and Theft – Shoplifting and theft charges range from misdemeanors to felonies. The value of the property involved determines the range. Lower-value theft cases are typically handled in State Court. Higher-value cases may be prosecuted as felonies in Superior Court. Our attorneys defend all levels of theft charges in Gwinnett County.
Drug Charges – Drug possession, distribution, and trafficking charges are prosecuted aggressively in Gwinnett County. Possession of one ounce or less of marijuana is a misdemeanor handled in State Court; most other possession charges are felonies. Manufacturing or trafficking charges are felonies that go through Superior Court. These carry mandatory minimum sentences. The specific drug, the quantity, and the circumstances of the arrest all affect the severity of the charge.
Violent Crimes and Robbery – Armed robbery, aggravated assault, and other violent felonies are serious charges prosecuted in Gwinnett County Superior Court. These cases carry lengthy prison sentences and require an aggressive defense strategy from the earliest stages. A Gwinnett County criminal defense attorney can review how law enforcement gathered the evidence and identify weaknesses in the prosecution's case.
Traffic Tickets – Not every traffic citation requires a court appearance. A first speeding violation usually comes with more options than drivers expect. Serious violations like reckless driving, hit and run, and driving on a suspended license carry criminal penalties. A conviction can add points to your license and lead to suspension. For a full overview of Georgia traffic offenses and fines, see our Georgia traffic ticket attorneys page.
Gwinnett County Courts That Handle Criminal Cases
Gwinnett County's criminal cases move through three main courts depending on the severity of the charge. After an arrest, the case is typically assigned to one of these courts based on the offense level and where the arrest occurred.
Misdemeanor traffic citations and low-level offenses from unincorporated Gwinnett County usually start in Recorder's Court in Lawrenceville. Misdemeanor criminal charges – including DUI, simple battery, and certain drug offenses – are tried in the State Court of Gwinnett County. Felony cases, from drug trafficking to armed robbery, go through Gwinnett County Superior Court after a grand jury indictment.
If an arrest occurred inside a city's limits – such as Duluth, Suwanee, or Norcross – the case may initially be assigned to that city's municipal court. It is then bound over to State or Superior Court. Understanding which court has jurisdiction over your case is one of the first things a criminal defense attorney in Gwinnett County will determine.
Gwinnett also operates a Magistrate Court and a Juvenile Court, which handle matters outside the adult criminal calendars described here.
Gwinnett County Superior Court
Gwinnett County Superior Court has exclusive jurisdiction over adult felony cases in the county. The court is located at the Gwinnett Justice and Administration Center at 75 Langley Drive in Lawrenceville, GA 30046.
Felony cases follow a structured process. After arrest, the case goes to a grand jury. The grand jury decides whether to issue an indictment. If indicted, the defendant is arraigned and enters a plea. The case then moves through a pretrial phase. This phase may include motions to suppress evidence, discovery, and plea negotiations. If no plea agreement is reached, the case goes to a jury trial.
The stakes in Superior Court are significant. Felony convictions can carry years or even decades in state prison. A felony record affects employment, housing, voting rights, and firearm ownership. Because of these consequences, defendants facing felony charges in Gwinnett County should consult a criminal defense attorney as early as possible.
State Court of Gwinnett County
The State Court of Gwinnett County handles misdemeanor criminal cases. These include DUI, simple battery, shoplifting, disorderly conduct, and minor drug possession. The court is also located at the Gwinnett Justice and Administration Center at 75 Langley Drive in Lawrenceville.
Cases often arrive in State Court after being bound over from Recorder's Court. When a defendant pleads not guilty or demands a jury trial at the Recorder's Court level, the case transfers to State Court. Under Georgia law, misdemeanor convictions carry up to 12 months in jail and a fine up to $1,000.
Defendants in State Court have the right to a jury trial or a bench trial. Each option has advantages depending on the facts of the case. A jury trial vs. a bench trial decision is one a Gwinnett County criminal defense attorney can help you evaluate based on the evidence and circumstances.
Gwinnett County Recorder's Court in Lawrenceville
Gwinnett County Recorder's Court handles traffic citations and certain misdemeanor offenses from unincorporated Gwinnett County and the city of Lawrenceville. The court is located at 115 Stone Mountain Street in Lawrenceville, GA 30046.
Defendants must appear in person for mandatory-appearance offenses. These include DUI, driving on a suspended license, and other serious traffic violations. For eligible minor citations, defendants may pay online. Paying a citation online is the same as pleading guilty. All penalties for that offense will apply. For step-by-step payment instructions, see our Georgia traffic ticket page.
If you plead not guilty or demand a jury trial in Recorder's Court, your case goes to the State Court of Gwinnett County. Cases arising inside a city's limits may go through that city's municipal court first. An attorney can determine which court has jurisdiction and appear on your behalf when the court allows an entry of appearance.
Frequently Asked Questions About Gwinnett County Criminal Cases
What Does a Gwinnett County Criminal Defense Attorney Do?
A Gwinnett County criminal defense attorney represents people charged with crimes in the county's court system. This includes reviewing arrest reports and evidence, filing pretrial motions, negotiating with prosecutors, and representing defendants at trial. An attorney also advises on potential consequences. These include jail time, fines, probation, and the impact of a criminal record. The attorney works to achieve the best possible outcome based on the facts of the case. Every situation is different. Consulting an attorney early helps clarify your options.
Which Gwinnett County Court Will Hear My Criminal Case?
The court that handles your case depends on the charge and where the arrest occurred. Traffic citations and minor offenses from unincorporated Gwinnett typically go to Recorder's Court. Misdemeanors, including DUI, are handled in the State Court of Gwinnett County. Felonies go through Gwinnett County Superior Court after a grand jury indictment. If you were arrested inside a city's limits, the case may start in that city's municipal court. A Gwinnett County criminal defense attorney can confirm which court has jurisdiction over your case.
What Is the Difference Between a Felony and a Misdemeanor in Georgia?
A misdemeanor is a less serious offense. It carries a maximum penalty of 12 months in jail and a $1,000 fine. Felonies are more serious crimes that carry prison sentences of more than 12 months. Some offenses may be charged as either a misdemeanor or a felony depending on the circumstances. For example, a fourth DUI within ten years is a felony DUI. The classification of the charge affects which court hears the case. It also affects the long-term consequences of a conviction.
How Soon After Being Arrested in Gwinnett County Should I Hire a Criminal Defense Attorney?
You should contact a criminal defense attorney as soon as possible after an arrest. Early representation allows your attorney to review the evidence and identify potential defenses. An attorney can also file motions before critical deadlines pass. For DUI cases, you have only 30 days to challenge the administrative license suspension. For other charges, pretrial motions and plea negotiations are most effective when an attorney is involved from the beginning. Waiting until your court date may limit your defense options.
