In the United States, plea deals are very common. According to a study from the Pew Research Center, only 2 percent of federal criminal cases go to trial. This means the rest of the cases reach a decision through a plea bargain outside of a trial. Despite the...
DeKalb County Criminal Law Blog
The next 10 years of your life after an assault felony
Certain simple assault charges are just misdemeanors, while more dangerous acts are assault felonies that will change the rest of your life. The financial implications of a possible restitution payment could be just the beginning. Assault with a deadly weapon is an...
When is a drug crime a felony in Georgia?
In general, misdemeanor offenses in Georgia carry less than a year in jail at the county level. In contrast, felony offenses can result in a year or more of incarceration at a state prison. Review the factors that influence whether a drug-related charge is a felony or...
Elements of a simple battery charge in Georgia
Individuals in Georgia are usually charged with simple battery when they make physical contact with another person in a way that is designed to provoke or insult, but actual touching is not necessary and even words can be enough to support the charge if they are...
A domestic violence conviction may impact your career
Domestic violence in Georgia can have serious implications for the future of your career. You might not be eligible for certain federal jobs depending on the crime you were convicted of. There are a few crimes on your record that can bar you from working at a federal...
When should the police read your Miranda rights?
In the state of Georgia, the police must tell you your Miranda rights at some point when you're in custody. If they don't, the judge might end up throwing your case out of court. However, if the police fail to read your rights when they arrest you, that doesn't...
More than 100 kilograms of meth found in 2 Georgia homes
Agents from the Georgia Bureau of Investigation’s Gang Task Force and federal investigators from the Department of Homeland Security seized more than 100 kilograms of methamphetamine during two residence searches on Oct. 9 according to senior representatives from the...
Did an officer illegally search your vehicle?
Your knowledge of the law may be minimal at best. Like most people in Georgia and across the country, you likely know enough about legal issues to know what actions could get you in trouble. However, also like many people, you may not know enough about your legal...
Are you a suspect in a smash and grab burglary?
Grainy security footage, mistaken identity, being in the wrong place at the wrong time and other factors could result in a person facing criminal charges for something he or she had no involvement in. You may have recently found yourself under arrest after authorities...
Did trying to defend yourself lead to assault or battery charges?
When a situation gets out of hand, it can be difficult to know exactly what happened. You may have been minding your own business when someone else got in your face or when a seemingly minor incident turned into an unnecessary altercation. Whatever the case, you ended...