James L. Yeargan, Jr.
Attorney Profile
Top Rated DUI-DWI Attorney in Atlanta, GA
Atlanta, GA 30309
- Criminal Defense: DUI/DWI (70%),
- Criminal Defense (30%)
Attorney James L. Yeargan, Jr., is a partner with the Yeargan & Kert LLC law firm in Atlanta, Georgia. A top-rated trial lawyer with more than 16 years of legal experience, Mr. Yeargan has established himself as one of the most respected and successful DUI attorneys in the greater Atlanta metro region as well as the entire county. Along with handling DUI defense, Mr. Yeargan also represents clients dealing with traffic violations as well as other felony and misdemeanor criminal charges.
He has achieved his success through his unwavering commitment to those he serves coupled with his tenacity in the courtroom and the aggressive trial tactics that he uses to help protect his clients' rights and liberties and increase their chances of obtaining the most favorable outcome possible for their serious situations. Moreover, Mr. Yeargan used to work as a criminal prosecutor, so he can better challenge the prosecution's evidence, making him all the more effective at criminal defense.
A 2000 graduate of Emory University, Mr. Yeargan attended the Walter F. George School of Law of Mercer University, where he obtained his Juris Doctor in 2003. He is admitted to practice before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit and the Georgia Court of Appeals as well as both the Georgia and U.S. Supreme Courts.
A highly versatile attorney, he once served as a Police Academy DUI Instructor and DUI Prosecutor Instructor, and he holds his certification in Field Sobriety Testing, DUI Detection, Visual Estimation of Speed, and DUI and Drugs. He also serves as committee chair for the DUI Advisory Task Force of the Municipal Court of Atlanta.
Among his other professional affiliations, Mr. Yeargan is a member of the Lawyers Club of Atlanta, the Cobb County Bar Association, the Atlanta Bar Association, the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers and the Georgia Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers. He also serves on the Atlanta Council of Younger Lawyers Executive Board and is a Jurisprudential Member of the American Academy of Forensic Sciences.
Recognized for his impeccable professionalism and unmatched legal abilities, Mr. Yeargan holds an AV Preeminent peer review rating* from Martindale-Hubbell, and he has received numerous other awards and honors, including a Top 100 Trial Lawyers distinction from The National Trial Lawyers and the 10 Best Client Satisfaction award from the American Institute of Criminal Law Attorneys. In addition, he has earned a Premier DUI Attorney designation from the American Association of Premier DUI Attorneys.
*AV®, AV Preeminent®, Martindale-Hubbell Distinguished and Martindale-Hubbell Notable are certification marks used under license in accordance with the Martindale-Hubbell certification procedures, standards and policies. Martindale-Hubbell® is the facilitator of a peer review rating process. Ratings reflect the anonymous opinions of members of the bar and the judiciary. Martindale-Hubbell® Peer Review Rating™ fall into two categories – legal ability and general ethical standards.
- 70%Criminal Defense: DUI/DWI
- 30%Criminal Defense
DUI/DWI, Arrest & Arraignment, Assault & Battery, Criminal Fraud, Criminal Law, Drug & Alcohol Violations, Expungement, Felony, Misdemeanor, Motor Vehicle Offenses, Murder, Overdrawn Bank Account, Parole, Probation, Prosecution, Sex Offenses, Theft, Traffic Violations, Criminal Domestic Violence
Selections
Rising Stars: 2013 - 2018
To: James L. Yeargan, Jr.
Super Lawyers: Potential Client Inquiry
Additional Sources of Information About James L. Yeargan, Jr.
About James Yeargan, Jr.
Admitted: 2003, Georgia
Professional Webpage: https://www.atlantaduilawyer.com/jims-credentials/
Honors/Awards:
- Top 100 Trial Lawyers In Georgia., Top 100 Trial Lawyers, The National Trial Lawyers, 2019
- This award is received by less than 2.5% of attorneys in the legal community., Super Lawyers Rising Stars, Super Lawyers, 2013
- 10 Best DUI Attorneys In Georgia, 10 Best Attorneys, American Institute of DUI/DWI Attorneys, 2019
- Top 100 Trial Lawyers In Georgia, The National Trial Lawyers, 2015
- Top 10 Criminal Defense Attorney In Georgia, National Academy of Criminal Defense Attorneys, 2017
- Avvo Superb Rating, Avvo.com, 2012
- Top 10 Client Satisfaction, American Institute of DUI/DWI Attorneys, 2017
- Atlanta's Rising Stars, 2014
- Avvo Top Contributor, Avvo.com, 2018
- Best of Atlanta 2014, 2014
- Top 40 40 Under 40, The National Trial Lawyers, 2014
- Super Lawyers Rising Stars, Super Lawyers, 2015
- Super Lawyers Rising Stars, Super Lawyers, 2016
- Top 20 DUI Lawyers In Atlanta, Expertise.com, 2016
- Top 100 DUI Attorneys, National Advocacy for DUI Defense, 2016
- AV Rated Preeminent, Martindale Hubbel, 2016
- Top 40 Under 40, The National Trial Lawyers, 2016
- Top 100 Criminal Defense Lawyers, The National Trial Lawyers, 2017
- Avvo Superb Rating, Avvo.com, 2010
- Top 100 Trial Lawyers In Georgia, The National Trial Lawyers, 2016
- Top 40 Under 40 Criminal Defense Lawyers, The American Society of Legal Advocates, 2017
- Avvo Superb Rating, Avvo.com, 2013
- Top 10 Client Satisfaction, American Institute for DUI/DWI Attorneys, 2018
- AV Rated Preeminent, Martindale-Hubbel, 2014
- Top 100 DUI Lawyers In Georgia, The National Advocacy for DUI Defense, 2014
- 10 Best Client Satisfaction, American Institute of Criminal Law Attorneys, 2015
- Avvo Superb Rating, Avvo.com, 2014
- Premier DUI Attorney, American Association of Premier DUI Attorneys
- Premier Trial Attorneys, National Academy of Jurisprudence, 2016
- Super Lawyers Rising Stars, Super Lawyers, 2017
- AV Rated Preeminent, Martindale Hubbel, 2017
- Law Firm 500 Fastest Growing Law Firms In The Country, Law Firm 500, 2018
- Top 40 Under 40, The National Trial Lawyers, 2017
- Top 100 Trial Lawyers In Georgia, The National Trial Lawyers, 2017
- Avvo Superb Rating, Avvo.com, 2011
- Superior DUI Attorney, The National Advocacy for DUI Defense, 2017
- Super Lawyers Rising Stars, Super Lawyers, 2014
- Top 40 Under 40 , The National Trial Lawyers, 2018
- Harvard Law Summer Session, National College for DUI Defense, 2014
- Top 100 Trial Lawyers In Georgia, The National Trial Lawyers, 2014
- Next Generation, Attorney at Law Magazine, 2015
- Avvo Superb Rating, Avvo.com, 2015
- Legal Elite, Corp America, 2016
- Top 10 Attorneys, American Jurist Institute, 2016
- AV Rated Preeminent, Martindale Hubbel, 2015
- Top 40 Under 40, The National Trial Lawyers, 2015
Special Licenses/Certifications:
- Intoxilyzer 9000 Operator, 2018
- Certified In Visual Speed Detection
- Completed Mastering Scientific Evidence in DUI Cases Training
- GBI Certified Intoxilyzer 5000 Operator
- Certified In Radar Speed Detection
- NHTSA Drug Recognition Expert Pre-Course
- NHTSA Certified Field Sobriety Testing
- Certified In Laser (LIDAR) Speed Detection
- NHTSA Drug Recognition Expert Course
- Completed NCDD Harvard Session in DUI Defense
- NHTSA Certified Field Sobriety Testing Instructor
- Certified in Drugs That Impair Driving
Bar/Professional Activity:
- Member, American Trial Lawyers Association
- Board Member, Solo Practitioner Small Firm Section
- Member, Georgia Association of Criminal Defense Attorneys
- Member, Atlanta Bar Association
- Jurisprudential Member, American Academy of Forensic Scientists (AAFS)
- Member, American Association for Justice
- Member, Cobb County Bar Association
- Member, Atlanta Lawyer's Club
- Member, Cobb County Bar Association
- Member, American Bar Association
- Member, Gate City Bar Association
- Member, National College for DUI Defense
- Board Member, Atlanta Council of Younger Lawyers
- Provisional Member, International Association for Chemical Testing
- Member, National Association of Criminal Defense Attorneys
Pro bono/Community Service:
- Municipal Court of Atlanta Advisory Committee, 2018
- Chairman, Task Force Committee, Atlanta DUI Task Force Advisory
Scholarly Lectures/Writings:
- Next Generation Issue, Attorney at Law Magazine, 2015
- Trial Lawyer of the Month, Attorney at Law Magazine, 2013
- Author, How To Handle The Emergency Phone Call When Your Client Is Arrested for DUI, Attorney at Law Magazine, 2015
- Speaker, How To Handle DUI Cases, Atlanta Council of Younger Lawyers, 2007
- Speaker, DUI Evidence and Courtroom Presentation, Georgia Public Safety Training Center, 2006
- Speaker, DUI Evidence and Courtroom Presentation, Georgia Public Safety Training Center, 2005
- Speaker, How To Handle The Emergency Phone Call When Your Client Is Arrested for DUI, Solo Practitioner Small Law Firm Section, 2015
- Co-Author, Municipal Court of Atlanta Public Information Brochure, Atlanta Bar Association, 2013
- Attorneys of Influence, Attorney at Law Magazine, 2014
- Author, Stopping the License Suspension for Drivers Under the Age of 21, Attorney at Law Magazine, 2015
Other Outstanding Achievements:
- Attorney At Law Magazine, DUI Law Firm of the Month, 2013
- Jezebel Magazine Power Partners, 2014
Videos:
- , Georgia Chemical Test Numbers, Criminal Defense, Criminal Law, DUI, 2019
- , Georgia DUI Law, Criminal Defense, Criminal Law, DUI, 2019
- , Georgia Portable Breath Test, Criminal Defense, Criminal Law, DUI, 2019
- , Georgia Speeding Ticket, Criminal Defense, Criminal Law, Laser Gun, LIDAR, Radar, Speeding Ticket, Speeding Tickets, Traffic Ticket, 2019
- , Georgia License Suspension, Criminal Defense, Criminal Law, Driving On A Suspended License, DUI, Suspended License, Traffic Ticket, 2019
- , Georgia Possession Of Marijuana, Criminal Defense, Criminal Law, Marijuana, Marijuana Possession, Possession Of Less Than An Ounce Of Marijuana, Possession Of Marijuana, 2019
- Georgia DUI Driving Manifestations, Criminal Defense, Criminal Law, DUI, 2019
- , Standardized Field Sobriety Tests, Criminal Defense, Criminal Law, DUI, Field Sobriety Test, Field Sobriety Tests, SFST's, Standardized Field Sobriety Tests, 2019
- , Georgia Criminal History, Criminal Background, Criminal Defense, Criminal History, Criminal Law, DUI, Expungement, Record Restriction, 2019
- , Georgia Speeding Ticket For Drivers Under The Age of 21, Speeding Ticket, Super Speeder, Suspended License, Traffic Ticket, Under 21 Year Old, 2019
- , Georgia Breath Testing, Criminal Defense, Criminal Law, DUI, 2019
- Georgia DUI Blood Testing, Criminal Defense, Criminal Law, DUI, 2019
- , Georgia Administrative License Suspension, Criminal Defense, Criminal Law, DUI, 2019
- , Georgia DUI Penalties, Criminal Defense, Criminal Law, DUI, Georgia DUI, 2019
- , Georgia Hit an Run, Criminal Defense, Criminal Law, Hit And Run, Leaving The Scene Of An Accident, Traffic Ticket, 2019
- , Georgia Diversion Program, Charges Dismissed, Criminal Background, Criminal Defense, Criminal History, Criminal Law, Deferred Adjudication, Diversion Program, Expungement, Pre-Trial Diversion Program, Record Restriction, 2019
- , Georgia Probation Revocation, Criminal Defense, Criminal Law, Probation, Probation Revocation, Violation Of Probation, 2019
- , Georgia Minor In Possession of Alcohol, Consumption By A Minor, Minor In Possession Of Alcohol, MIP, Underage Consumption, Underage Drinking, 2019
- , Georgia Super Speeder, Georgia Super Speeder Law, Speeding Ticket, Super Speeder, Traffic Ticket, 2019
- , Georgia Driving On A Suspended License, Criminal Defense, Criminal Law, Driving On A Suspended License, License Suspension, Suspended License, Traffic Tickets, 2019
- , Georgia Suspended Registration, Criminal Defense, Criminal Law, Suspended Registration, Traffic Tickets, 2019
- , Georgia Record Restriction and Expungement, Background Check, Criminal Defense, Criminal History, DUI, Expungement, Law, Record Restriction, 2019
- , Georgia No Proof of Insurance Ticket, Criminal Defense, Criminal Law, No Insurance, No Proof Of Insurance, Traffic Tickets, 2019
Newsletters:
- , A Journey Worth Taking, Criminal Defense, Criminal Law, Driving On A Suspended License, DUI, Suspended License, Traffic Ticket
- , An Inspirational Woman, Criminal Defense, Criminal Law, Driving On A Suspended License, DUI, Suspended License, Traffic Ticket
Educational Background:
- Oxford College, 1998
- Emory University, 2000
- A Harmful Repetition: Breaking The Cycle Of Recidivism - https://t.co/KblQ6TFGvf
- A Harmful Repetition: Breaking The Cycle of Recidivism - https://t.co/gRtZDIZ5qd
- In Defense of Resolutions: How These Yearly Goals Really Can Work - https://t.co/mY6575KA6f
- Yeargan & Kert, LLC: January Newsletter: In Defense Of Resolutions - https://t.co/03wPS6N8ck
- December Newsletter: Success Through Service, Or How I Learned To Stop Worrying And Love The Rideshare - https://t.co/JQxPfh2fMm
- A Harmful Repetition: Breaking The Cycle of Recidivism - https://t.co/gRtZDIZ5qd
Comments
- “Mr. Yeargan is a young star in DUI defense who is at the top of his game. He is extremely knowledgeable, hard working, and gets excellent results as well as being a wonderful person. He definitely deserves some recognition as a guy who's been around for a while now and is very well-respected in the DUI defense community. I know him very well and I have seen him in action.”
- “Jim Yeargan as a former prosecutor for the City of Atlanta knows DUI law inside and out. Most importantly he is a zealous advocate for his clients. He maintains a positive relationship with prosecutors and judges throughout Metro Atlanta. But in the courtroom he leaves no stone unturned and gets tremendous results for his clients.”
- “Jim Yeargan as a former prosecutor for the City of Atlanta knows DUI law inside and out. Most importantly he is a zealous advocate for his clients. He maintains a positive relationship with prosecutors and judges throughout Metro Atlanta. But in the courtroom he leaves no stone unturned and gets tremendous results for his clients.”
- “Excellent DUI Defense attorney! Very experienced and successful with his outcomes.”
- “Excellent DUI Defense Attorney. Experienced and gets successful outcomes for his clients.”
- “I have watched James severak times in state court. His knowledge of the methods used in the defense of DUI is unparraled.”
- “James is consistent in achieving results for his clients.”
These comments were made by fellow attorneys during the annual nomination process.
James L. Yeargan, Jr.:
Last Updated: 3/6/2019