If you’ve been charged with a crime, you need an attorney who understands local criminal procedures and laws. A good lawyer can help you fight the charges and keep your record clean.
Georgia’s criminal law covers a wide range of offenses from misdemeanors to felony crimes. There are also various statutes of limitations that apply to different crimes.
Criminal Law
Georgia criminal law is complex and constantly evolving. This is especially true in relation to modern-day crimes such as identity theft and computer crimes.
The American Civil Liberties Union has worked to promote criminal justice reform for years, particularly in Georgia. The ACLU’s advocacy resulted in many important changes.
For example, the criminal law in Georgia requires prosecutors to present evidence to a grand jury before they can charge a defendant with a crime. Moreover, the prosecutor must provide a proper accusation to the accused and their attorney Waukegan criminal lawyer.
This is a good rule of thumb for any accused defendant. It protects them from surprises at trial.
Statutes of Limitations
Statutes of limitations are a key part of criminal law in Georgia. These time limits are a way to ensure that prosecutors have the time to bring charges against an individual before evidence deteriorates.
The statute of limitations for criminal cases in Georgia ranges from two years to four years, depending on the specific crime. However, some crimes, such as armed robbery and kidnapping, have no time limit.
If you have been accused of a criminal offense, it is essential that you speak with an experienced attorney right away. Having a criminal defense lawyer on your side can make the difference between a conviction and a dismissal.
Misdemeanors
In Georgia, misdemeanors are the least serious crimes that can be charged. They usually carry less severe penalties than felonies, but they can still remain on your record for life, affecting your future employment, driving license, public benefits and more.
In some cases, a misdemeanor can be expunged from your record, allowing you to move forward with life without worrying about it coming back to haunt you. However, this only works with certain misdemeanors and is only possible with a skilled criminal defense attorney on your side.
Felonies
Felonies are more serious than misdemeanors, and carry more severe penalties. Murder, armed robbery, child molestation, and kidnapping are all classified as felonies in Georgia.
Unlike many other states, Georgia does not divide felony crimes into classifications, such as class A or level 1. Instead, statutes specify the maximum penalty allowed on a crime-by-crime basis depending on the severity of the offense Misdemeanors in California.
Certain felony offenses, such as murder, are subject to a mandatory minimum sentence. Additionally, repeat felony offenders, sex crimes, and hate crimes are all subject to serious penalty enhancements.
Having a conviction on your record can have a significant impact on your life, especially in terms of employment opportunities and living situation. Furthermore, people convicted of felonies may lose their rights to travel abroad, hold U.S. passports, and use public social benefits such as food stamps.
Habitual Offender Law
If you get arrested and convicted of three DUI’s within a five year period, you will be considered a habitual violator. This means your Georgia driver’s license will be revoked for a period of time.
During this revocation period, it is against the law for you to drive. During this time, you will not be permitted to obtain a new drivers license or a probationary license until the revocation period is up and your HV status is terminated.
A felony conviction for driving while you are a habitual offender is punishable by up to five years in prison and/or a fine of $750, or both. The State must prove that you were declared a habitual offender, received notice, and operated your vehicle while you were under that status learn more.
