Nothing is more devastating than opening the door to a police officer and being accused of drinking and driving.
Contact Donald Wells and his team to help you put your life back on track
Attorney Donald Wells
347 West Hancock Avenue
Athens, GA 30601
Phone: 706-410-2977
Fax: 706-549-2203
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Experienced Northeast Georgia Criminal Defense Lawyers
As skilled trial attorneys, we advise people about the best ways to resolve criminal charges such as drunk driving, drug possession, or underage alcohol offenses. If you need help with a felony or misdemeanor charge, contact a criminal defense lawyer at Scott, Wells & McElwee, P.C., in Athens.
Our criminal defense solutions start with a hard look at the facts
The first problem in any criminal defense situation is to get a sense of the strength of the case against you. Can the government prove its case beyond a reasonable doubt? Can we find evidence that would contradict a key allegation? Can we keep incriminating evidence out of the courtroom through a challenge to a search and seizure or confession? We use our experience to make an informed judgment as to the prosecution's ability to get a conviction based on the evidence that remains once we're done with it.
If we think the government's case is vulnerable, we'll pressure the prosecution to drop the charges, offer an attractive plea deal, or take your case to trial. If the evidence against you is strong, we will do everything possible to protect you from punishment.
We represent UGA students facing a wide range of criminal charges
Because we're located in Athens, we represent many University of Georgia students arrested for the kinds of offenses you expect to encounter at a large campus — underage drinking, DUI, drug possession, theft, assault or shoplifting. For many first offenders, punishment on the criminal charge is the least of their problems. Academic discipline or a threat to future career prospects is a much more serious consequence. We work with students and the university authorities to help minimize the long-range consequences of a serious mistake.
Our attorneys also represent people in communities throughout northeast Georgia who face charges ranging from bad checks or embezzlement to assault. Whether your problem involves drugs, fraud, alcohol, or weapons, we do everything we can to minimize your exposure to punishment, even if it means taking your case to trial.
Never underestimate the power of the presumption of innocence that protects all criminal defendants. No matter how much trouble you're in, a skilled trial lawyer can prepare a defense designed to protect you from the worst potential consequences. For more information about the scope of our firm's criminal defense practice, contact a trial lawyer at Scott, Wells & McElwee, P.C., in Athens.
We offer sophisticated advocacy without compromising on client service
Each of our partners, Donald T. Wells, Jr., and Stephen H. McElwee, has decades of trial experience, advanced litigation and negotiation skills, and a deep commitment to the welfare of our clients. Our younger associate, Jennifer N. Wasdin, is rapidly developing her own reputation as an effective courtroom lawyer. Our firm dates back to 1977, and, as an indication of our stability and commitment to the community, we've practiced from the same location since 1982. Our offices are in an old antebellum house that expresses the dignity of our profession while making our clients feel warmly welcomed.
Call us for a free consultation regarding personal injury or criminal defense
We offer free consultations in all matters, and accept most personal injury cases on a contingent fee basis: we don't collect an attorney's fee unless we win a settlement or verdict for you. Our criminal defense practice caters both to the University of Georgia community and to ordinary people in the counties surrounding Athens. Our practice has a definite local focus, and we don't apologize at all for the advantage we enjoy through our long familiarity with the local courts and procedures.