First Offense DUI Lawyer in Macon
Defending Macon DUI Clients Since 2013, With a Dual Eye on Immigration Consequences
A first DUI arrest moves fast. Within hours of the stop, a 30-day clock starts running on your license, and every decision made in those early days shapes what options remain. At Deadwyler-Heuman Law Firm, LLC, we’ve defended clients in Macon-area courts since 2013, and we approach each first-offense DUI case on two tracks simultaneously: the criminal defense itself and, for non-citizen clients, the immigration consequences a conviction could trigger.
That dual focus isn’t an add-on. For many clients, it’s the difference between a charge that’s managed and one that can derail a visa renewal or green card application. We’re also one of the few Macon firms offering bilingual consultations in English and Spanish, and we offer sliding-scale fees and payment plans so cost doesn’t determine whether you get representation.
Don’t wait on a first offense DUI in Macon. Call us at (478) 241-5247 to schedule a case review and find out where you stand before any deadlines pass.
What Sets Our Macon DUI Defense Apart
Ashley Deadwyler-Heuman, selected to the Super Lawyers Rising Stars list from 2022 to 2024, is known to prosecutors and judges across Georgia’s legal community. That familiarity with how Bibb County cases are handled translates into realistic strategy from the first conversation, not after weeks of catching up.
Our defense review in every first-offense DUI case starts with the stop itself. We examine whether the officer had legal grounds to pull the driver over, how field sobriety tests were administered, whether chemical testing followed required protocols, and whether implied consent notice was given correctly. From there, we evaluate every plea option with both the criminal outcome and any immigration consequences in mind.
Communication is part of how we work, not an afterthought. We explain what’s happening at each stage in plain language, return calls without making clients chase answers, and stay accessible throughout the case.
Start with a Case Review
If you’re facing a first offense DUI in Macon, a case review is the place to start. We can go over the facts of your arrest, explain your options, and help you understand the deadlines in front of you. Consultations are available in English and Spanish, and we offer payment plans for clients with financial constraints.
Call Deadwyler-Heuman Law Firm, LLC at (478) 241-5247 to schedule your case review today.
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
First-Offense DUI Penalties Under Georgia Law
A first-offense DUI in Georgia is a misdemeanor, but the penalties are serious enough to affect your finances, your license, and your daily life for years. Knowing what’s at stake makes it easier to understand why the defense decisions made early in a case matter so much.
Criminal penalties for a first offense include:
- Jail time: A mandatory minimum of 24 hours, up to 12 months
- Fines: $300 to $1,000, not including court fees and surcharges
- License suspension: 12 months for drivers 21 and older, with eligibility to apply for reinstatement after 120 days if all conditions are met; 6 to 12 months for drivers under 21 depending on BAC level
- Community service: A minimum of 40 hours required
- DUI School: Mandatory completion of the 20-hour DUI Alcohol or Drug Use Risk Reduction Program
Georgia’s BAC thresholds vary by driver: 0.08% for adults 21 and older, 0.04% for commercial drivers, and 0.02% for drivers under 21. Under the DUI Per Se standard, a BAC at or above the applicable limit is enough for a charge. Under DUI Less Safe, a driver can be charged even below the legal limit if the state argues impairment. A BAC of 0.15% or higher at arrest triggers increased penalties even on a first offense.
Georgia’s Implied Consent Law adds another layer. Refusing a breath, blood, or urine test results in a minimum one-year license suspension that runs independently of the criminal case.
When Immigration Status Is Also at Stake
For non-citizen clients, a first-offense DUI is never just a criminal matter. A conviction can affect visa renewals, green card applications, and immigration status depending on where the client stands in the immigration system. In some situations, a conviction can trigger removal proceedings.
This is where the intersection of criminal and immigration law, sometimes called crimmigration, demands that both systems be considered before any plea is accepted. At Deadwyler-Heuman Law Firm, LLC, we plan every defense with that intersection in mind. Our clients don’t learn about immigration consequences after the criminal case is resolved. We identify those risks at the start and factor them into every defense decision we make.
We offer bilingual consultations in English and Spanish, which matters to many of the Spanish-speaking clients in Macon and across Central Georgia who are navigating both systems at the same time.
Local Knowledge That Shapes Strategy in Bibb County DUI Cases
The State Court of Bibb County handles misdemeanor DUI cases, and the prosecutors and judges assigned to them have patterns and expectations that come from appearing there regularly. We know how Bibb County prosecutors approach first-offense DUI cases, what arguments carry weight in this court, and what realistic outcomes look like at each stage. That local knowledge informs strategy from the start rather than emerging after weeks of catch-up.
Deadwyler-Heuman Law Firm, LLC maintains offices in both Macon and Cordele, serving clients in urban courts and rural communities across Central Georgia without treating either as secondary. Ashley Deadwyler-Heuman’s standing in Georgia’s legal community reflects the kind of professional relationships that matter when negotiating on a client’s behalf.
Why the First 30 Days After a DUI Arrest Matter Most
The 30-day ALS deadline is the most commonly missed deadline in a first-offense DUI case. Miss that window and the license suspension becomes automatic, lasting up to one year, regardless of how the criminal case eventually resolves. Early attorney involvement also creates time to gather evidence, document the details of the stop while they’re still fresh, and file pre-trial motions before records and memories fade. We anticipate procedural issues before they become problems and help prevent anything time-sensitive from falling through the gap between arrest and arraignment.
