A stop along Barrett Parkway, Cobb Parkway, or I-75 near Kennesaw can end with handcuffs and a lot of fear about what happens next. Take a breath — you have options, and you have people who will fight for you.
At MM Criminal Defense, we defend people charged with DUI in Kennesaw and throughout Cobb County. We are a woman-led firm founded by two former prosecutors, and we spent years on the other side of these exact cases. We know how a DUI is built — and how to take it apart.
Georgia DUI Law, in Plain English
Under Georgia law (O.C.G.A. § 40-6-391), you can be charged with DUI if you drive while under the influence of alcohol or drugs to the point it is less safe for you to drive, or if your blood alcohol concentration is at or above the legal limit. Those per se limits are 0.08% for most drivers, 0.04% for commercial drivers, and just 0.02% for drivers under 21.
A first DUI is a misdemeanor, but the consequences are real: fines, mandatory DUI school, community service, possible jail time, and a license suspension. That is why what you do in the first days after an arrest matters so much.
The 30-Day License Clock
Here is the part people miss. Separate from your criminal case, the State can suspend your driver’s license through an Administrative License Suspension — and you have only 30 days from the date of your arrest to act (O.C.G.A. § 40-5-67.1). Within those 30 days you must either request an ALS hearing or apply for an ignition interlock device limited permit. Miss that window, and your license can be suspended automatically. Call us immediately so we can protect your ability to drive.
Where Your Kennesaw DUI Case Is Heard
A DUI arrest by Kennesaw police usually begins in Kennesaw Municipal Court. Because municipal courts in Georgia cannot hold jury trials, if you want a jury to hear your case, we demand one and your case is “bound over” to Cobb County State Court, which handles misdemeanor DUIs for the county. Felony DUI charges are handled in Cobb County Superior Court (Cobb Judicial Circuit). When your case is bound over, your existing bond transfers with it — you generally will not need to post a new one.
How We Help
- Move fast to protect your license before the 30-day deadline
- Examine the traffic stop, the arrest, and whether police followed the rules
- Scrutinize breath and blood testing — the machines and the officers are not infallible
- Look for reductions, diversion, or dismissal where the facts support it
- Prepare your case for trial when that is the right call
- Explain every step in plain language so you are never left guessing
Why MM Criminal Defense
We are not a faraway firm running your name through a template. We are based right here in Marietta, we practice in Cobb County courts, and our attorneys prosecuted cases in this county before switching sides. That means we can anticipate the State’s playbook — and we do it with warmth, respect, and zero judgment.
A DUI charge is frightening. Your first phone call shouldn’t be.
Schedule Your Free Consultation
Do not wait to get help. Call MM Criminal Defense for a free, no-judgment consultation at (770) 693-4357. We will explain your options in plain English and start protecting your license and your record today.
Common Questions
Is a first-time DUI in Kennesaw a felony?
No. A first DUI is charged as a misdemeanor in Georgia. It still carries serious penalties, but it is not a felony. Certain circumstances — like repeat offenses or a DUI involving injury — can raise the stakes, which is why an early case review matters.
How long do I really have to save my license?
Just 30 days from the date of your arrest to request an ALS hearing or apply for an ignition interlock permit. It is a hard deadline, so the sooner you call, the better.
Do you offer free consultations?
Yes. Your first consultation is free and completely confidential. Call us at (770) 693-4357 and we will talk through what you are facing and how we can help.