Felony DUI Attorney in Douglas County

Serious Charges Call For Steady Guidance—Call (678) 922-9743 to Discuss Your Case

A felony DUI in Georgia is very different from a first-time misdemeanor DUI. A conviction can threaten your freedom, your driver’s license, and your future. If you are facing this kind of charge in Douglas County, you do not have to try to handle it alone.

At Howard Law Group, we help people whose lives have been disrupted by serious drunk driving charges. We understand how quickly an arrest can turn into fear about jail, a criminal record, and what will happen to your job and family. Our role is to bring clarity to a confusing situation and to start protecting your options from the beginning.

Our criminal defense team has handled complex cases throughout West Georgia courts, and we work to keep your well-being at the center of every decision. From the first conversation, you speak with an experienced attorney who understands how high the stakes are in a felony DUI case.

Call Howard Law Group at (678) 922-9743 or reach out online to speak with an experienced Douglas County felony DUI lawyer. With over a decade of legal experience and the perspective of a former prosecutor, we are the advocates you need.

Understanding Felony DUI Laws in Georgia

In Georgia, the vast majority of DUI arrests are classified as misdemeanors. However, under O.C.G.A. § 40-6-391 and related statutes, a DUI becomes a felony when certain aggravating factors are present. It is essential to understand the specific legal theory the prosecution is using against you, as the defense strategies for each vary significantly.

• The 10-Year "Look-Back" Rule—The most common path to a felony charge is a repeat offense history. As of 2026, Georgia law dictates that a fourth DUI conviction within a 10-year period is a felony. This 10-year window is measured from arrest date to arrest date. It is a common misconception that out-of-county or out-of-state priors do not count; the prosecution in Douglas County will search national databases to establish a pattern of repeat offenses.
• Serious Injury by Vehicle—Under O.C.G.A. § 40-6-394, if a person causes "bodily harm" to another while driving under the influence, they face a felony charge of Serious Injury by Vehicle. The law defines bodily harm as an injury that:
  • Deprives a person of a member of their body.
  • Renders a member of another person's body useless.
  • Seriously disfigures the body or a member thereof.
  • Causes organic brain damage.
• Homicide by Vehicle and Feticide—If a DUI results in the death of another person or an unborn child, it is charged as First-Degree Vehicular Homicide or Feticide by Vehicle. These are among the most severe felonies in the Georgia code, carrying mandatory prison sentences and life-altering social stigma.
• Habitual Violator Status—If you are declared a "Habitual Violator" after three serious traffic offenses in five years, any subsequent operation of a vehicle—even if you are not intoxicated—can lead to felony charges. If that operation involves a DUI, the penalties are compounded.

Penalties and Collateral Consequences of Felony DUI Convictions in Georgia

The consequences of a felony DUI conviction in Georgia are intentionally draconian. The state aims not just to punish, but to permanently remove the offender from the road. Our felony DUI lawyers in Douglas County work to avoid the harsher penalties of a conviction.

Criminal Sentencing

• Imprisonment: A fourth DUI conviction carries a prison term of 1 to 5 years, with at least 90 days of mandatory "actual" incarceration. Serious Injury by Vehicle carries 1 to 15 years per victim.
• Fines: You face mandatory fines between $1,000 and $5,000, plus significant court surcharges that can nearly double the total.
• Probation: A minimum of five years of probation is standard for repeat offenders, minus any time served in prison.

Life-Altering Collateral Consequences

• License Revocation: A felony DUI conviction often leads to a five-year revocation of your driver's license. Reinstatement typically requires a mandatory clinical evaluation and a 12-month ignition interlock requirement.
• Loss of Civil Rights: As a convicted felon, you lose the right to vote and the right to possess or carry a firearm.
• Professional Licensing: Convictions are reported to state boards, which can lead to the revocation of medical, nursing, teaching, or commercial driving licenses.
• Permanent Criminal Record: In Georgia, DUI convictions cannot be expunged or "restricted." The record will follow you for the rest of your life.

How Felony DUI Cases Unfold In Douglas County

Facing a felony DUI in this part of West Georgia means your case will move through specific local courts and offices. Depending on the facts, your case may be heard in the State Court of Douglas County or the Superior Court of Douglas County. Which court handles the case generally depends on how the charge is filed and what other allegations are involved.

After an arrest, people are often taken to the Douglas County jail under the supervision of the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office. Questions about bond, release conditions, and court dates typically flow through that office and the local clerk’s offices. An experienced felony DUI attorney in Douglas County should be familiar with these procedures and timelines.

A typical felony DUI case will begin with an arrest and booking, followed by a bond hearing or bond setting if bond is not already in place. The case then moves toward arraignment, where formal charges are presented, and toward motion hearings that can address evidence, traffic stops, and testing issues. If the case does not resolve through negotiation, it may be scheduled for trial in the appropriate Douglas County court.

Why Choose Howard Law Group

Our attorneys have served on both sides of the courtroom as prosecutors and as defenders. That background gives us insight into how the state builds and evaluates felony DUI charges, what evidence prosecutors focus on, and where weaknesses often appear. When we review a case, we are always thinking about how the prosecution might present it and how to respond.

We have tried and resolved cases in municipal, state, and federal courts across Georgia. This experience helps us stay steady when a case becomes complicated, and it allows us to guide clients through procedures that can feel overwhelming at first. We know that a felony DUI defense attorney in Douglas County must be comfortable in front of local judges and juries.

At Howard Law Group, clients are represented by experienced attorneys, not by a revolving cast of staff members. We take time to understand your history, your work, your family responsibilities, and your goals before recommending a path forward. Our firm is built around providing capable defense without forcing unnecessary financial strain, and our priority is to help you preserve your way of life as much as possible.

How We Defend Felony DUI Charges

A strong defense starts with a careful review of the facts and the law that apply to your situation. We look closely at why you were stopped, how any field sobriety tests were conducted, and how breath or blood tests were handled. Problems with any of these steps can affect how reliable the evidence really is.

Our background as former prosecutors helps us think through the case the way the state might. We examine patrol car videos, reports, and test records to understand how the government is likely to present its story. From there, we analyze where there may be legal issues, credibility concerns, or gaps in proof. A felony drunk driving lawyer in Douglas County should be able to explain these points in clear language, not legal jargon.

After a felony DUI arrest, several steps can help protect your position:

• Write down what you remember about the stop, the tests, and any statements as soon as you can.
• Gather any paperwork from the arrest, including citations, bond documents, and property receipts.
• Avoid discussing details of the case on social media or with anyone other than your attorney.
• Keep all court dates and arrive early for hearings so we have time to speak with you.
• Contact our firm promptly so an attorney can start reviewing deadlines and evidence.

Talk to Our Felony DUI Lawyers in Douglas County

If you are facing a felony DUI here, you do not have to navigate the court system on your own. Our attorneys combine prosecutorial insight with a defense-focused approach to guide you through each step and to work toward the most favorable outcome the law and facts support.

To talk with a felony DUI attorney in Douglas County, contact Howard Law Group today. We are ready to listen to your story, answer your questions, and help you decide what comes next.

Call (678) 922-9743 or reach out online to schedule a consultation with our criminal defense team.