More Than 93.1% of Our DUI Cases Have Resulted in No Conviction Over the Past 13 Years
More than 15 years of experience challenging the Supreme Court in DUI cases.
Sandy Springs Municipal Court
The Sandy Springs Municipal Court is the local city court for the City of Sandy Springs, Georgia. This court handles traffic violations, DUI cases, misdemeanor offenses, city ordinance violations, and other local matters that occur within the city limits. Whether you received a traffic citation, are facing a DUI charge, or need to appear for a misdemeanor offense, understanding how the Sandy Springs Municipal Court works can help you prepare and protect your rights.
At Willis Law Firm, we have extensive experience representing clients in Sandy Springs Municipal Court. Our team provides knowledgeable, aggressive legal support from arraignment through case resolution to help you navigate the court system and achieve the best possible outcome for your situation.
Official Sandy Springs Municipal Court Information:
Sandy Springs Municipal Court (City Website) — https://www.sandyspringsga.gov/municipal-court
Sandy Springs Municipal Court DUI Attorney
Are you scheduled to appear at the Sandy Springs Municipal Court in Fulton County and are in need of an experienced Sandy Springs Municipal Court DUI Attorney? Reach out to Willis Law Firm for a free consultation.
Willis Law Firm is a highly respected legal practice with a seasoned team of DUI lawyers who specializes in providing experienced defense for individuals facing DUI charges at the Sandy Springs Municipal Court. Our firm is renowned for its wealth of experience and unwavering commitment to defending clients in DUI cases. With a proven track record of success, our Sandy Springs Municipal Court DUI attorney can offer you the legal guidance and representation you need during this challenging period.
The team at Willis Law Firm is dedicated to crafting personalized and effective solutions tailored to your unique circumstances. We understand the complexities of DUI cases in the Sandy Springs Municipal Court and are here to safeguard your rights while striving for the best possible outcome.
Do not hesitate to reach out to us for a free consultation. Our Sandy Springs Municipal Court DUI attorney will ensure that your rights are protected and provide you with the professional legal support necessary to secure a favorable resolution for your case. Your future is our priority. Contact Willis Law Firm today to put our experience to work for you.
Greg Willis has been successful at defending DUI cases (over 93.1% without a conviction)
He's the only lawyer in the State of Georgia to ever be recognized for all three of these accomplishments.
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"Attorney Greg Willis is someone I am truly thankful to have had in my corner during one of my most stressful times. He goes above and beyond and has your best interest at heart. I couldn’t recommend him more to anyone in need of someone to represent them as they deal with a DUI."
- Juan Castilla
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How to Choose a DUI Attorney
Court Overview & Jurisdiction
The Sandy Springs Municipal Court is responsible for handling cases involving:
- Traffic citations (speeding, reckless driving, stop sign violations, etc.)
- DUI (Driving Under the Influence) charges
- Misdemeanor criminal offenses (such as disorderly conduct or possession violations)
- City ordinance and code enforcement violations
- Preliminary matters related to more serious criminal charges that may be transferred to Fulton County courts
The court’s primary goal is to adjudicate these cases fairly and efficiently while providing a respectful and safe environment for defendants, victims, and the public. The Court also maintains accurate records of all proceedings and offers opportunities for defendants to request continuances when necessary.
The Sandy Springs Municipal Court considers the fair and timely adjudication of cases among its top priorities. Paramount to our approach is a customer-driven, service-oriented atmosphere in which victims, defendants, and all other customers are treated with the utmost respect and concern by a highly trained, efficient staff.
Address: 620 Morgan Falls Rd, Sandy Springs, GA 30328
Contacting the Court
If you have any immediate concerns, you can email the court at municipalcourts@sandyspringsga.gov and someone will respond as soon as is possible.
Location & Contact Information
Sandy Springs Municipal Court
Address: 620 Morgan Falls Road, Sandy Springs, GA 30350
Phone (Clerk / Court Services): 770‑206‑2075
Email: court@sandyspringsga.gov
The court is located in the same general complex as the Sandy Springs Police Headquarters, making it convenient for traffic and misdemeanor cases arising from city law enforcement actions.
Court Hours & Administration
Municipal court administrative hours are generally:
Monday through Friday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM (excluding city and federal holidays)
While administrative offices operate during these hours, specific court session schedules — including arraignments, hearings, and bench trials — may occur at designated times that are listed on your citation or court notice. Contact the court directly or visit the official court web page to confirm your scheduled appearance.
At Willis Law Firm, we help clients confirm court dates and provide guidance on how to be prepared for every stage of their case.
Don Schaefer is in private practice in Roswell after 26+ years practicing in the Decatur law firm of Brownlow and Schaefer, specializing in traffic and criminal law, as well as wills and estates.
He served in the Atlanta City Court as a bailiff and clerk from 1980-86 and then as a Judge Pro Hac Vice from 1994-2003. In addition to Atlanta, he has been a part-time judge in Alpharetta, Loganville, and DeKalb Recorder’s Court. He currently sits as judge in Johns Creek and Sandy Springs.
Schaefer is currently a member of the State Bar of Georgia, the North Fulton Bar Association and the Council of Municipal Court Judges.
Marcia McCrory Ernst is a Partner in the Litigation Practice of Smith, Gambrell & Russell, LLP. She has substantial experience in commercial litigation at the trial and appellate court levels in both the state and federal court systems. Ms. Ernst has over 30 years of complex business and multi-party litigation experience, including fraud, business torts, contract disputes, trade secrets, debtor/creditor litigation, lender liability and other bank-related litigation, intellectual property claims, and data privacy and security law. Her practice also includes real estate development, eminent domain, construction and environmental litigation.
Ms. Ernst is rated AV Preeminent (highest available) by Martindale-Hubbell and she has been named by Georgia Trend magazine as one of Georgia’s Legal Elite in the area of General Practice/Trial Law. She has also been recognized by Best Lawyers in the area of Commercial Litigation, and listed as one of Georgia’s Most Influential and Politically-Connected Attorneys by James Magazine. Ms. Ernst also serves as a Municipal Court Judge for the cities of Sandy Springs and Milton, Georgia.
Ms. Ernst is the author of an article regarding the enforcement of foreign money judgments in light of currency conversion problems, which was published in the Emory Journal of International Dispute Resolution in 1988. She is also the co-author of an article discussing corporate strategies for combating cybersmear, which was published in the Intellectual Property Counselor in 2003. Additionally, Ms. Ernst co-authored articles concerning recent developments in zoning and land use law, which were published in the Mercer Law Review in Fall 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2009.
Ms. Ernst authored several articles in Trust The Leaders magazine, including: “Eminent Domain: Private Property Rights v. Economic Development,” published in Spring 2006, and “A Greenprint for Sustainable Development,” published in Summer 2008. Additionally, Ms. Ernst authored an article entitled “Chinese Drywall Problems and Responses,” published in the September/October 2009 edition of The Georgia Builder magazine. Ms. Ernst is also a regular contributor to the SGR Litigation Blog.
Ms. Ernst is an active member of the Home Builders Association of Georgia and serves on its Government Affairs Committee. She is also a member of the Legal Action Network for Development Strategies (“LANDS”), a national group of land use attorneys.
Ms. Ernst attended the University of Georgia, where she received a B.B.A. in Economics. She then received a J.D. from the University of Georgia School of Law, where she was a member of the Georgia Journal of International and Comparative Law. Ms. Ernst is a member of the Georgia Bar in the General Practice and Trial Law and the Privacy and Technology Law Sections.
Ms. Ernst served as a member of the Advisory Committee for Youth Leadership Sandy Springs, a program designed to develop student leadership skills, and was a member of the Leadership Sandy Springs Class of 2000. Ms. Ernst also served as a member of the National Harm Reduction and Prevention Committee of Phi Mu Fraternity.
How Sandy Springs Municipal Court Works
Arraignments and First Court Appearances
An arraignment is your first formal court appearance after receiving a charge in Sandy Springs. At this hearing:
- The judge announces the charges against you.
- You are advised of your rights, including the right to legal counsel.
- You enter a plea — typically guilty, not guilty, or no contest.
- The court sets future hearing dates if necessary.
If you enter a not guilty plea, the case will proceed through the standard court process, which may include scheduling a bench trial before a municipal court judge or, if you request a jury trial, transferring the case to Fulton County State Court.
Important: Certain charges are considered “must appear” offenses — meaning you must personally appear in court rather than simply paying a fine. These include DUI, suspended license, aggressive driving, no insurance, reckless driving, hit and run, drug offenses, and other serious traffic or criminal violations.
At Willis Law Firm, our attorneys can appear on your behalf when possible and permitted by court rules, negotiate with prosecutors, and prepare defensive strategies that protect your rights and future.
Fines, Payments & Citation Information
If your citation is for a violation that is eligible for pre‑court payment, you may be able to pay the fine online or by phone before your court date. However, paying a fine typically means you are entering a plea of guilty, and this may result in points on your driver’s license or other consequences.
- Pay online or check your fine amount: Visit the City of Sandy Springs website and use the online payment system or call 770‑206‑2075.
- Online payments often include a surcharge; in‑person payments must typically be made by 5:00 PM on your scheduled court date.
If you do not pay by the deadline and fail to appear in court, the court can issue a Failure to Appear (FTA) warrant and may notify the Georgia Department of Driver Services, which can lead to license suspension.
Willis Law Firm advises clients on whether paying a fine is in their best interest or whether defending the citation in court provides a better legal outcome based on their specific circumstances.
DUI Cases in Sandy Springs Municipal Court
Driving Under the Influence (DUI) is treated as a serious offense in Georgia and in Sandy Springs Municipal Court. A DUI case often begins with an arrest by a Sandy Springs police officer within city limits and follows a structured legal process.
What to Expect at Your DUI Arraignment
When you are charged with a DUI:
- Your arraignment date will be listed on your citation or notice.
- At arraignment, a judge will explain the charge and ask for your plea. You may plead not guilty and have your attorney defend you.
- The court may set additional dates for a status hearing, motions, and trial.
Sandy Springs Municipal Court conducts bench trials for DUI and other misdemeanor offenses, meaning the judge — not a jury — decides the case. If you request a jury trial, your case will be transferred to Fulton County State Court for that process.
DUI penalties in Georgia can be significant, including fines, license suspension by the Georgia Department of Driver Services, community service, alcohol education, and potential jail time. At Willis Law Firm, we focus on aggressive DUI defense strategies, challenging evidence when appropriate, and working toward reduced charges or dismissals whenever possible.
Attorney Representation & Your Rights
You have the legal right to be represented by an attorney in Sandy Springs Municipal Court. While it is not mandatory to hire one, having qualified legal counsel can greatly improve your chances of achieving a favorable result — especially in complex misdemeanor or DUI cases.
At Willis Law Firm, our attorneys will:
- Review the facts of your case
- Represent you at arraignments and hearings
- File legal motions on your behalf
- Negotiate with prosecutors
- Defend you at bench trials or manage transfers to state court
You may also qualify for a court‑appointed attorney if you cannot afford private counsel; the judge can determine eligibility during your arraignment.
Our team ensures you understand the legal process and your options every step of the way.
Preparing for Your Court Appearance
Before attending court:
- Bring your citation or notice: This contains your court date and case number.
- Bring valid ID: A driver’s license or government‑issued ID is required.
- Prepare documentation: Proof of insurance, vehicle registration, or other relevant documents.
- Dress appropriately: Conservative, professional attire is recommended.
- Arrive early: Security checks may be required before entering the courtroom.
If you have questions about what to bring or how to prepare, Willis Law Firm provides personalized directions and checklists tailored to your case.
Continuances & Requests for New Court Dates
Life happens, and sometimes defendants cannot attend the scheduled arraignment or hearing. Sandy Springs Municipal Court allows defendants to request a new court date, known as a continuance, if they are unable to appear at the time provided. The court will issue a new date if the request is granted. Typically, you may only request a continuance once.
Our attorneys at Willis Law Firm can file these requests on your behalf and help you avoid default judgments, warrants, or penalties that result from missed court appearances.
Bench Trials & Case Outcomes
Most trials in Sandy Springs Municipal Court are bench trials, where the judge hears evidence and makes a decision without a jury. Bench trials occur after defendants plead not guilty and both sides have had a chance to prepare their cases.
If your case requires a jury trial — such as certain more serious misdemeanors — your attorney can request a transfer of the case to Fulton County State Court for that purpose.
Appeals & Superior Court Review
If you disagree with a decision made by the municipal court judge, you may have the right to appeal the decision to the Superior Court of Fulton County. For more information about filing an appeal and procedural requirements, contact the Fulton County Superior Court Clerk’s Office at (404) 613‑5313.
Willis Law Firm can guide you through the appeal process if you believe an error occurred during your municipal court proceedings.
Official Government Resources
- Sandy Springs Municipal Court – City Website: https://www.sandyspringsga.gov/municipal-court
- Court FAQs & Procedures: https://www.sandyspringsga.gov/municipal-court-frequently-asked-questions
- Preparing for Court: https://www.sandyspringsga.gov/preparing-your-court-appearance
- Georgia DUI Laws: https://georgia.gov/dui
Why Choose Willis Law Firm
Facing a traffic, DUI, or misdemeanor case in Sandy Springs Municipal Court can be overwhelming. Every case is unique, and having expert legal guidance can make a real difference in the outcome of your matter.
At Willis Law Firm, we offer:
- Experienced municipal court defense attorneys
- Personalized legal strategy for your case
- Strong advocacy at arraignment and trial
- Knowledge of local court procedures and prosecutors
- Support in managing fines, pleas, and potential consequences
Our team is dedicated to protecting your rights and helping you navigate every aspect of your case with confidence and clarity.
Take Action — Contact Us Today
If you have a traffic citation, DUI charge, or other legal issue scheduled in Sandy Springs Municipal Court, don’t wait. Contact Willis Law Firm now for a consultation and dedicated legal representation that puts your best interests first.