Best Criminal Defense Lawyers in Monroe, GA
Highly Experienced Criminal Law and Criminal Defense Attorneys in Monroe, GA and Walton County, GA
Our criminal lawyers in Monroe, GA and Madison, GA represent clients charged with violations of local, state, and federal law throughout the state of Georgia. We believe that through thorough preparation, we can get the best possible outcome for our criminal defense clients, regardless of the charges.
When do I need a criminal defense lawyer in Monroe, GA?
Any time you are the subject of a criminal investigation or faced with criminal charges you should retain legal counsel. Without legal counsel, you are severely disadvantaged at one of the most critical times in your life.
The State of Georgia has codified our criminal laws into two types of offenses: misdemeanors and felonies.
Considering that both misdemeanors and felonies can result in confinement, it is important to have a Monroe, GA or Madison, GA criminal lawyer there to help guide you every step of the way from pretrial proceedings to the trial of your case. It is your constitutional right to deny legal counsel, though representing yourself is never recommended when facing a criminal prosecution of any kind. It is important to note that even if you are not facing potential jail time, hiring a criminal defense lawyer will help your odds during negotiations by helping to facilitate plea bargains.
A lawyer also has the experience and expertise to develop strong defense strategies which may reduce potential penalties should you dispose of your case prior to trial. A good criminal defense attorney is an invaluable resource to have when you are the subject of a criminal investigation or faced with criminal charges.
What does a criminal defense lawyer do?
Criminal Defense Lawyers have dedicated years to the study of both civil and criminal procedure, criminal law and constitutional law, allowing them to understand the minutia of your case to help prove your innocence, or at the very least, minimize your exposure to criminal liability. Once you have retained legal counsel, your attorney can start building your case by reviewing the charges and then establish a strong criminal defense strategy for your case. For your attorney to build you a strong criminal defense strategy, they will need you to be as open and honest as you can be about what happened. Even if you think you are guilty of the crime you are being charged with, your honesty with your legal counsel is vitally important.
Another reason for being completely honest with your attorney is doing so may lead to you having lesser charges brought against you, or maybe even dropped entirely depending on the situation. Don’t just assume you know the result of your case before you’ve given your defense lawyer a chance to try it in court. Hopefully, your criminal defense lawyer will be able to take the case to the prosecuting attorney to discuss potential plea bargains first, before and hopefully instead of, going to trial. Should your case go to trial, your lawyer’s familiarity with the courtroom and the U.S. legal system will give you the best chances of a satisfactory outcome.
Can a Monroe, GA criminal defense lawyer help me with my DUI?
Driving Under the Influence, more commonly referred to as a DUI, is a serious misdemeanor offense. In addition to the criminal charge, there may be other concerns that arise once you have been cited. The Georgia Department of Driver Services will oftentimes move for the suspension of your driving privileges following the issuance of a citation through an administrative procedure. This creates an additional civil matter that exists between you and the Georgia Department of Driver Services which is separate and apart from the DUI and other related charges.
Common mistakes to avoid when hiring a criminal defense attorney?
Not Doing Diligent Research
You know you have a court date coming up, but you don’t take the time to get online and research local Law Firms, and instead hire a lawyer from the first local TV ad that you see. This is no way to choose legal counsel. Each lawyer usually has their niche or focus of practice, and many Law Firms are highly specific about their areas of practice. When taking the time to research lawyers and Law Firms in your area, take note of how many years of practice and experience they have. Ideally, your attorney should have at least 10 years of experience, either personally or collectively with the other partners at their firm. Make sure to also note what kind of Law they have been practicing. Hiring a lawyer for your criminal case who normally practices outside of Criminal Defense is a gamble; there are a lot of intricate laws that you will want your attorney to understand, as well as knowing that your counselor is comfortable and confident in a stressful courtroom setting.
Hiring Out of Obligation
When the time comes for you to secure legal counsel, your decision about who to hire should not be swayed by outside opinion. You should not hire a particular attorney ONLY because someone told you to do so. When you’re facing criminal charges, it is hard to predict how you’ll react to such an emotional and stressful time; an experienced criminal lawyer that you trust and are comfortable around can improve what would otherwise be a negative experience. The courtroom is not where you want to feel out your lawyer’s personality or case strategy; schedule a meeting with any potential attorney to discuss your case and a potential action plan before hiring them.