Felony DUI Lawyer in Macon
Criminal Defense That Accounts for What’s at Stake
Deadwyler-Heuman Law Firm, LLC handles felony DUI defense under the leadership of Ashley Deadwyler-Heuman, an attorney known throughout Georgia’s legal community for work at the intersection of criminal and immigration law. From the first conversation, we plan the defense with both systems in mind.
If you’re facing a felony DUI charge in Macon, contact us at (478) 241-5247. We offer sliding scale fees and payment plans and can explain your situation in plain language from day one.
When a DUI Becomes a Felony in Georgia
Most DUI arrests in Georgia are misdemeanors, generally handled in Bibb County State Court. A charge rises to the felony level under specific circumstances, and knowing which applies to your case shapes everything about the defense.
- Fourth offense within 10 years: Georgia’s 10-year lookback rule under O.C.G.A. 40-6-391 counts from arrest date to arrest date, not conviction dates. A fourth DUI within that window is charged as a felony in Bibb County Superior Court.
- Serious injury by vehicle: A DUI that causes serious bodily injury to another person is charged as a separate felony offense. A fatality can be charged as felony vehicular homicide.
- Child endangerment enhancement: A third DUI offense with a child under 14 in the vehicle can result in felony child endangerment charges alongside the DUI itself.
Felony DUI cases in Macon proceed through indictment to Bibb County Superior Court, part of the Macon Judicial Circuit. The timeline, procedural requirements, and stakes differ meaningfully from a misdemeanor case.
Penalties for a Felony DUI Conviction in Georgia
A conviction carries consequences that follow a person for years beyond the sentence itself. Georgia law sets these ranges for felony DUI:
- Prison: One to five years, with a mandatory minimum of 90 days actually served even if the balance is suspended or probated
- Fines: $1,000 to $5,000, plus court costs and surcharges
- Community service: At least 60 days required
- Treatment requirements: Completion of a DUI Alcohol or Drug Use Risk Reduction Program and a clinical evaluation with treatment if recommended
- Probation: Up to five years, reduced by any time served in custody
Why Clients Facing Felony DUI Charges Come to Us
We know the courts, prosecutors, and enforcement patterns in Macon, and we use that familiarity to build realistic strategies from the outset. Clients aren’t left guessing. We explain what’s happening at each stage in terms that make sense, so the process doesn’t compound the stress of the charge itself.
We offer bilingual services in English and Spanish, and financial constraints don’t prevent access to our representation. Sliding scale fees and payment plans keep our services within reach for clients across a range of circumstances.
Real Stories From Real People
Reviews & Testimonials
Our clients are at the heart of everything we do. Here’s what they have to say about their experiences with our firm.
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"I trusted her with my wife’s case and she did a great job."She is a wonderful case fighter and has great personality. Understand the problems of each person and will do her best. I trusted her with my wife’s case and she did a great job.- Chino
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"She will have your back undoubtedly when you add her as your council."I’ve used Ashley a couple of times on very important matters. She’s always been there for me and resolved everything to the best outcome possible. She will have your back undoubtedly when you add her as your council.- Dustin
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"I cannot say enough good things about Ashley Deadwyler."Ashley cares about her clients in a way that is hard to find these days. Your case is as important to her as it is to you.- Amy
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"Please call Mrs. Ashley!!"If anyone needs an awesome and Christian Attorney please call Mrs. Ashley!!- Karen
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"She knows the law and will do all she can to advocate for critical decisions to further the needs of her clients."I commend her quality of excellence in every situation and recommend her to you if you are in need of an attorney.- Judith
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"Mrs. Ashley is by far the best attorney I have ever had."I strongly believe that Mrs.Deadwyler actually cares and that it’s not about a source of financial gain but way to speak for those who have not the voice capable of speaking for themselves.- Jamie
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"Thank you Ashley Deadwyler."Ashley Deadwyler helped me to get my husband out of the immigration jail and is helping us to get his papers started and I would refer her to anyone that would need help she is the best. Thank you Ashley Deadwyler.- Jennifer
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"She is very professional but also personable."Ashley Deadwyler is a caring and compassionate attorney who takes time to explain legal processes and options to her clients and their families.- Brande
Felony DUI & Immigration Consequences for Non-Citizens in Macon
The facts that elevate a DUI to felony status are often the same facts federal immigration authorities weigh most heavily. A single, simple DUI conviction generally doesn’t classify as an aggravated felony or a crime involving moral turpitude under federal immigration law. When aggravating factors are present, such as repeat offenses, injury, or driving on a suspended license, that analysis shifts. Those circumstances are more likely to be treated as a crime involving moral turpitude, which affects deportability and inadmissibility.
Even a conviction that doesn’t directly trigger deportation can complicate the good moral character showing required for naturalization. We plan felony DUI defense with both systems in view so non-citizen clients aren’t blindsided by immigration consequences after a criminal resolution that looked favorable on its face.
How We Approach Felony DUI Defense
Our defense starts with a close examination of police conduct and evidence handling. How the stop was initiated, whether testing protocols were followed, and how evidence was collected and preserved all become grounds for challenge. We evaluate any plea option against the full range of outcomes, criminal and immigration alike, before any decision is made.
We also take on cases that were mishandled or overlooked by prior counsel. When a case arrives after an earlier representation fell short, we give it immediate, focused attention and move it forward. We keep working even when the outcome feels uncertain, including on cases others haven’t been able to resolve.
Serving Macon Courts & the Surrounding Region
We maintain offices in both Macon and Cordele. That presence lets us serve clients in Bibb County Superior Court while also reaching rural communities in the surrounding region that often lack access to experienced criminal defense counsel. Wherever a client is coming from, they can reach us.
License Consequences: Habitual Violator Status
A felony DUI conviction in Macon can result in habitual violator status, which revokes driving privileges entirely. A restricted license is generally not available for approximately two years, and full reinstatement typically requires waiting five years from the date of revocation. Driving during a habitual violator revocation period is itself a separate felony, carrying one to five years in prison and a fine of at least $750.
Habitual violator status can also require forfeiture of the vehicle to the state. A judge may allow the title to transfer to a family member rather than order outright forfeiture if financial hardship is demonstrated. These consequences compound an already serious situation, which is why understanding the full picture matters before any resolution is accepted.
Talk to a Felony DUI Attorney in Macon
A felony DUI charge moves quickly and demands an early, coordinated response. The sooner we can review what happened, the more options may be available. We’re accessible throughout the case, not just at the beginning, and we don’t disappear once the initial steps are taken. Sliding scale fees and payment plans mean financial constraints don’t have to stand between you and sound representation.
Call Deadwyler-Heuman Law Firm, LLC at (478) 241-5247 to discuss your felony DUI case in Macon.
