If you have been charged with a crime, your future is on the line, and bringing a strong defense is critical. A conviction can lead to severe fines, time behind bars, and challenging social consequences, making getting your life back on track extremely difficult. If this is the situation you find yourself in, it’s time to consult with an experienced criminal defense attorney in Marietta, GA.
The Criminal Charges Against You
You can face many criminal charges, and your case will be unique to your specific situation. To convict you of a crime, the state must prove your guilt beyond a reasonable doubt, which, very generally, means that there is no other reasonable explanation.
Your Legal Rights
In the face of a criminal charge, you have fundamental legal rights that you should know and invoke from the start. To begin, you have the right to remain silent, which means that – other than providing the police with basic identifying information about yourself – you are not required to give the police a statement or to answer their questions, and you are well-advised not to do so.
You also have the right to an attorney and should request one from the outset. Once this is taken care of, it’s time to limit the scope of any further interaction with the police by letting them know that you won’t be talking. From here, you will need to remain silent because anything that you do goes on to say can be used against you.
Common Criminal Charges
There is a wide range of criminal charges, and a better understanding of the charge can help.
Drug Charges
One of the most common drug charges in Georgia is simple possession of marijuana, which is one of the few misdemeanor drug crimes. While many states have legalized recreational marijuana, this doesn’t alter the fact that it’s illegal in Georgia. Possession charges are based on the kind of drug and the amount involved. And drug charges that relate to possession with intent to distribute, drug trafficking, and drug manufacturing are more serious still.
DUI Charges
Driving under the influence (DUI) is another common criminal charge, and it relates to driving with a blood alcohol content (BAC) of .08 percent or higher. It’s important to note, however, that motorists who are under the legal limit can still face DUI charges if their alcohol consumption is determined to have adversely affected their driving.
Theft, Burglary, Robbery, and Armed Robbery Charges
Theft charges relate to unlawfully taking someone else’s property to deprive them of possession or use. Things only get more serious from here. Burglary is entering someone else’s property to commit a felony, such as theft. Armed robbery is an aggravated form of robbery that involves the use of a lethal weapon in the perpetration of the crime.
Assault, Battery, and Aggravated Battery
Assault refers to the crime of credibly threatening to harm a victim or attempting to harm them physically. The charge of assault relates to the threat of battery, while the charge of battery applies when the accused causes the victim to suffer bodily harm. When there is an aggravating factor involved, such as owning a deadly weapon, the charge of aggravated battery applies.
Domestic Violence
Domestic violence – or family violence – in Georgia refers to the commission of a crime like one of the following against a family member or a member of one’s household:
- Battery
- Assault
- Criminal trespass
- Stalking
- Criminal damage to property
Child Molestation
The charge of child molestation involves committing an indecent or immoral act with or in the presence of a child who is under the age of 16 when the intent is to arouse the child or the perpetrator sexually.
White Collar Crimes
White-collar crimes, such as fraud and forgery, are nonviolent offenses in which the accused is often in a professional or business role, and the goal is financial gain. This brand of crime generally involves a breach of trust or some form of deception rather than using physical force.
Reach Out to Our Dedicated Criminal Defense Team Today
The criminal defense attorneys at Essa, Janho & Associates, LLC in Marietta, GA, are committed to harnessing the full force of our experience to protect your rights. We will diligently pursue the most favorable resolution for your case. We serve Gordon County, Cobb County, Fulton County, Cherokee County, Paulding County, Forsyth County, and more from our office in Marietta. We are on your side and here to help, so please don’t hesitate to contact us online or call us at 770-955-8322 for more information about what we can do for you today.