Atlanta Criminal Defense Lawyer

By: Larry Kohn, Criminal Defense Attorney and Atlanta DUI Lawyer for 2 Decades

Finding a Criminal Attorney Atlanta

Few things are more frightening or potentially life-changing than having to face criminal charges. The panic, confusion and utter fear that arise can be truly overwhelming. These emotional responses are quite justified and ridding this problem from your life is the #1 goal in your family’s existence. Your starting point is to hire an experienced, proven criminal defense attorney Atlanta, and not just be satisfied with talking to “lawyers near me.”

The often devastating consequences of a criminal conviction, and sometimes the mere accusations against a citizen can be crippling. For many, a felony or misdemeanor conviction would be far-reaching and must be fought with every tool available. From costly fines and restitution to potential jail time, the implications of being found guilty must not be taken lightly. The search for an Atlanta criminal lawyer takes on new meaning.

Attorney Larry Kohn was named to Super Lawyers in 2017 and 2018. Mr. Kohn has been tapped for Best Lawyers in America for 2019.

Attorney Bubba Head has been named to every Super Lawyers list since 2001, and to Best Lawyers in America for 10 straight years in a row. He has repeatedly been named to Best Law Firms by US News & World Report for as long as they have rated lawyers in Atlanta. In addition, Mr. Head has held the highest ethical and professional skills ratings with Martindale-Hubbell for well over 15 years.

To maximize the likelihood of having a criminal charge reduced or perhaps even dismissed altogether, it is vital to obtain the assistance of a criminal defense lawyer Atlanta with the highest lawyer ratings and legal industry recognition.

Several tools and websites allow you to compare legal advocates for their criminal law excellence.  Not all criminal lawyers in Georgia are the same, especially when it comes to “win” rates. Since all criminal cases handled at our law office are CONTESTED criminal offenses, felony vs misdemeanor, our very survival depends upon achieving great outcomes for our clients.

One multi-faceted website for reviewing a criminal defense attorney Atlanta GA is AVVO.com. This company allows for other LAWYERS to send in attorney ratings of their peers, but also has a section for clients to post their AVVO lawyer ratings. Partner Larry Kohn has 420 client ratings, and over 400 are 5.0 reviews on this lawyer rating site. An AVVO lawyer rating comes from several sources, but peer reviews are not a major, controlling component of that company’s interface to achieve a 10.0 ranking.

Should I Pay the Criminal Attorney Before Meeting My Legal Counsel?

In hiring an attorney in Atlanta for a felony or misdemeanor, are you comfortable doing that and FORKING OVER a credit card number in the first brief phone conversation? To answer that question, ask yourself, “Would I do this and hire a surgeon, without meeting the doctor or visiting his or her office?” If the answer is NO WAY, then you are on the path to getting one of the defense attorneys who is the best criminal defense attorney in Atlanta.

Before hiring a criminal attorney Atlanta GA, you always want to meet with the Atlanta criminal lawyer and evaluate the law firm. Measure the FREE legal advice offered to you, and whatever insight that criminal lawyer gives you. In the end, your objective is to hire the criminal attorney Atlanta who is ready and willing to protect your legal rights and provide the most vigorous defense possible.

Also, you must be aware that certain online “badges” and alleged “memberships” that are displayed are not presenting peer-reviewed, top Atlanta criminal lawyers. In doing your research it is easier to determine which attorney ratings are REAL and ignore the rest.

If a lawyer in Atlanta claims to have that award, look it up to verify the claimed credentials. Some attorneys who were previously in partnership with a best-rated attorney recklessly post their former law firm member’s credentials and ratings.

Criminal Attorneys in Atlanta Georgia Who Fight Felonies and Misdemeanors

The strategies employed by a Georgia criminal defense lawyer will likely depend on three major factors:

1. The specific classification of the offense, felony or misdemeanor, with which a given client is charged. For instance, O.C.G.A. 17-10-3 sets forth the statute of limitations for bringing misdemeanor charges, the sanctions which can be imposed for misdemeanor crimes, as well as the monetary fines and incarceration limits for a Georgia misdemeanor offense;
2. The prior criminal history of the client, for relevant types of crimes to the current one. For example, a first offense DUI is defended quite differently in Georgia than a 2^nd DUI in GA within the past 5 years; and
3. The type and quality of the evidence collected or obtained by the State of Georgia, from video evidence, police officer witnesses, citizens who are witnesses and any alleged victims of the crime. In addition, forensic evidence from blood tests, urine tests, DNA analysis, drugs kits, breathalyzer tests, or fingerprints either must be refuted or otherwise contradicted for the case to have a chance for acquittal.

Under Georgia law, the misdemeanor category of crimes has a maximum term of imprisonment of up to one year to serve. Felony offenses are the more serious crimes for which state prison time of more than a year is part of Georgia laws. Felonies in Georgia can result in incarceration, up to and including life sentences, with a handful of the most egregious crimes (e.g., murder) possibly producing a death sentence.

Clearly, anyone who has been charged with a crime, whether misdemeanor or felony, owes it to themselves and their families to take prompt action to secure the legal services of the most capable and comprehensive criminal defense attorneys available. At our Atlanta law office, our three most common misdemeanor cases are:

1. DUI, under O.C.G.A. 40-6-391;
2. Domestic Battery (the crime is also called Family Violence or Family Battery), under O.C.G.A 16-5-23.1 (f)(1); and
3. Other serious driving offenses that cause loss of all driving privileges, such as hit and run GA, driving on a suspended license, attempting to elude an officer, driving in violation of a habitual violator permit, or child endangerment of multiple children passengers. Finding a criminal justice attorney who is committed to preserving the rights of an accused citizen and tracking down every avenue of defense is the best way to increase the chances of reduction or dismissal of criminal charges. If exhaustive investigation, pursuing suppression motions, and efforts to negotiate a favorable resolution fail, two paths remain. One is to negotiate the best deal available (if acceptable to the client), or take the case to trial.

Felony vs Misdemeanor: Classification of Crimes in Georgia

Articulations of criminal offenses and their potential penalties are found under O.C.G.A. Title 16. Given that the criminal code provisions are so expansive and encompass offenses that run the gamut from assault and battery to check forgery, anyone facing allegations of criminal activity needs to enlist the assistance of a legal practitioner with broad-based defense experience. Among the most commonly-lodged criminal charges in Georgia are:

• Alcohol-related offenses such as consumption by minors, and operating vehicles under the influence
• Traffic-related offenses including driving on suspended or revoked license, and distracted driving
• Property crimes such as trespassing and arson
• Drug offenses including manufacturing, distribution and simple possession
• Sex crimes encompassing rape, prostitution and obscenity, as found in O.C.G.A. Title 16 Chapter 6 and O.C.G.A. Title 16 Chapter 12
• Crimes against the person including child abuse, assault and battery, as enumerated in O.C.G.A. Title 16 Chapter 5
• White collar crimes including embezzlement, forgery, fraud and bribery, articulated in O.C.G.A. Title 16 Chapter 9

These and other offenses listed in the Georgia Code are all characterized by their distinctive elements, each of which must be fully proven and established by the prosecution for a conviction to be obtained. Our criminal defense lawyers work to attack the State’s arguments at every possible level. By undermining the reliability of law enforcement evidence-gathering techniques and exposing weaknesses in a prosecutor’s offer of proof, our criminal attorneys can achieve a positive outcome for our clients.

For some defendants, it may even be possible to have charges reduced or dismissed altogether, but should that prove exceedingly difficult, an Atlanta criminal attorney will endeavor to mitigate the sanctions to be imposed upon sentencing through effective plea bargaining.

Contact an Aggressive Georgia Criminal Defense Attorney in Atlanta Today

The life-altering impact of a criminal conviction almost always acts to reduce the future quality of life of that person. This can be evidenced by a loss of personal freedom, by being in jail, costly fines, surcharges and possible restitution requirements of a judicial sentence. Beyond court penalties, job loss and future inability to secure high-paying, gainful employment are just a few of the lasting consequences of a criminal record.

The personal implications of a conviction, misdemeanor vs felony, can be equally devastating, ranging from irreparable reputation damage, family discord, loss of child custody, and possibly divorce. Being convicted of a crime is something that can cause negative ripple effects for decades.

When it comes to fighting back against serious criminal charges, no substitute exists for zealous, knowledgeable, and experienced representation. The stakes are simply too high to leave your prospects for winning in the hands of a novice. To learn more about your rights and to discover how an Atlanta criminal lawyer with our law firm can help protect them, contact us today. 404-471-3420. Obtain a FREE lawyer consultation and ask about payment plans for legal fees.

Get FREE legal advice from former cop and top-rated Atlanta DUI attorney Cory Yager or speak with the best criminal defense attorney Atlanta for driving under the influence or vehicular homicide cases – Bubba Head. For over 42 years, the Atlanta criminal defense attorney has set the standard for uncompromising criminal defense at the highest level.

Our Atlanta criminal defense lawyers can explain Miranda rights, the Georgia implied consent law, illegal search and seizure at traffic stops, defenses to your criminal charges, and the likely path that the pending criminal accusation or indictment will take. What do you have to LOSE? The appointment and no-cost, initial attorney consultation may help you get a good night’s sleep for the first time since your arrest.

REVIEW SOME OF OUR WINNING CASES

Georgia Criminal Defense Practice Areas:

Assault

Conspiracy

Domestic Violence

DUI

Expungement

Gun Offenses

H1B Visa Immigration

Juvenile Crimes

Prostitution

Sex Crimes

Solicitation

Speeding Tickets

Student Defense

Theft

Traffic

Our Criminal Defense Law Firm covers these GA cities and counties:

• Alpharetta
• Athens
• Atlanta
• Chamblee
• Cherokee County
• Cobb County
• DeKalb County
• Dunwoody
• Forsyth County
• Fulton County
• Gwinnett County
• Henry County
• Johns Creek
• Lawrenceville
• Marietta
• Milton
• Roswell
• Sandy Springs
• Smyrna
• Walton County