Criminal Defense Attorneys
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Georgia Criminal Defense Lawyers
Fearless representation
We choose to practice in the area of criminal defense law because we believe in justice for all. We understand the importance of protecting your future.
Let us step up to the plate for your rights. Call the Georgia criminal defense lawyers at Hall & Navarro today to get started.
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Prepared to Win
No matter what, we approach every case prepared to win. This has been our driving force from day one, and still carries us forward today.
Breadth of Experience
With more than 75 years of combined experience in a variety of practice areas, we are frontrunners of law in Southeast Georgia.
Fearless representation
We put everything forward, and take nothing back. We are a united front, rallying behind and in front of every client.
What Happens After Getting Arrested?
If you were arrested or indicted, that means that the state of Georgia’s prosecution have reason to believe you committed a crime. In order to make the arrest, they don’t have to have proven that you 100% did the things they are arresting you for. They only have to show that you likely did. Indictment is a bit different. For the prosecution to indict you, that means a grand jury has already deliberated on whether or not you have likely done the crime and said that they believe you have.
Typically in Georgia, you won’t see these cases get dropped upon a preliminary hearing, but this hearing must take place if we are to find out what the prosecution has against you. Once you have been charged with the crime, then you will go in front of a judge and plead guilty or not guilty.
From there, the prosecution has to tell us what evidence they have against you in a process called discovery. We use all this information to build your defense.
Possible Outcome: Charges Dismissed
It is very much within the realm of possibility for your charges to be dismissed. This can happen during pretrial motions, if our defense wins. We can make a motion to suppress evidence the prosecution is trying to use against you. Georgia state law and the United States Constitution say that the prosecution is not allowed to use evidence that was gathered in an unlawful way, so we will be thorough when we see what they have against you. It may be that they have information from a search of your home without a warrant. None of that evidence can lawfully be used against you.
Our Georgia criminal defense lawyers have also seen charges get dismissed if the defense is able to show during pretrial that the indictment was wrong. They may be able to prove that you were brought up on charges for a crime that happened outside of the statute of limitations, for example. It is definitely something that could happen in some cases.
Possible Outcome: Plea Deals
Understand that it has become more challenging overtime for the defense to do their job. That is why it is imperative that you find the right lawyer for your case. Plea deals are a possible outcome. They offer some benefits, and a lot of cases result in plea deals. It can sometimes save you from the harshest consequences. A plea deal sometime means you are pleading guilty for a minor charge, as opposed to going to trial for something that could wind up with you getting convicted for something with much harsher penalties.
It is a decision you should not be making lightly, as it could mean surrendering some of your rights. You won’t go to trial to present your case to the jury. That means a judge will make the final call. Juries can often be unpredictable, so deciding not to take a chance with them could be the right move for you.
You can discuss whether you want to made a plea deal with one of our Georgia criminal defense lawyers, but it is something you ultimately must decide for yourself.
Possible Outcome: Jury Trials
Jury trials happen when things are not resolved in pretrial motions and when you choose not to take a plea deal. The trial is going to be the prosecution and the defense making their arguments against and for you, respectively. The jury will then decide if they think you are guilty or innocent beyond a reasonable doubt.
Everything begins with the selection of the jury which is going to be the foundation of the case. After all, they are the ones who will decide your fate. The prosecution and defense each have an opportunity to remove jurors who they think are going to be biased.
Then the prosecution and defense each give opening statements. They can bring witnesses to testify, argue each other’s evidence, and then finally make closing arguments. The jury will take everything they know about your case and the evidence they heard, and they will deliberate.
They will do one of three things: convict you, acquit you, or call a mistrial. If they cannot unanimously agree on conviction or acquittal, that would call for a mistrial, which means there will be more litigation. If you are acquitted, you are free to go home. If you were convicted, you will have to be sentenced at a later time.
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More Criminal Defense Info
Helping a loved one with their criminal charge
When I’m talking with my clients about how to prepare for defending their criminal charge, I always ask them to reach out to their friends, their neighbors, and their family who know them. As a friend of someone who is charged with a criminal offense in Georgia, you can do what’s called a witness affidavit, or a character affidavit that speaks to the particular person’s character if they’re a good person or if they’re a good employee. You can offer this to assist your friend or family member if they’re charged with a criminal offense in Georgia.
Keep in mind, every case is unique and has different penalties.
Should I bond out of jail if it is an option?
Absolutely, you should bond out of jail if you are able. It is ideal for you to be out of jail so that you can assist your criminal defense attorney, whether it’s me or someone else, with your case. It is so much easier to plan your defense and be more prepared if you’re actually out of jail and able to assist your lawyer.
If you’re charged with a misdemeanor in Georgia, that is automatically bondable. You should be able to receive a bond almost immediately. If you’re charged with a felony in Georgia, it may take a little longer because some of those charges, those bonds have to be set by a superior court judge. I’m happy to talk with you about your case, whether it’s a misdemeanor or a felony.
Will I go to jail for a first-time offense?
A former client of mine was charged with a felony criminal offense in Georgia. He was concerned that he was going to go to jail, and would lose his job and be away from his family. Every felony in Georgia is different. Some of them require mandatory jail time; some of them do not. It depends on the degree of the offense, what type of offense it is, if it’s a battery or an injury case, or if it is a drug matter.
Every particular felony criminal case is unique and individual.
What happens if I fail to appear in court?
If you fail to appear at a court date that has been noticed and you have received notice of the court date, you can be charged with a bench warrant, and you will be arrested.
You will remain in jail until the judge on your case opts to bring you into court. That could be days, weeks, or months. It’s quite imperative that, if you have a court date, whether it’s a misdemeanor charge or a felony charge, you appear at each and every court date.
If you learn after the court date has passed and you missed the notice, you need to call the clerk of that court immediately and let them know that you did not receive the notice and that you will attend the next court date. You need to ask whether or not a bench warrant has been issued against you. If you’re in this situation and you think there may be a bench warrant out there, I’m happy to help you with that.