MISDEMEANORS

 In Georgia, most criminal cases which are not treated as felonies are treated as misdemeanors. A misdemeanor is a criminal act punishable by a maximum of one year in jail and/or a one thousand dollar fine. An individual charged with, and convicted of, multiple misdemeanors, could face longer than one year in jail if a judge runs the sentences consecutively, and not concurrently.

In most misdemeanor cases, we will move to secure you a reasonable bond that you or your family can actually pay, ensuring your freedom until trial. We will demand the State’s evidence to determine whether there were any technical or procedural police errors that would warrant dismissal of some, or all, of your charges. We will review the arrest and your treatment pre- and post-arrest to determine if your constitutional or statutory rights were violated in any way.

When charged with a misdemeanor, the case will usually originate or begin in the Magistrate Court of the county where the alleged offense occurred. The Magistrate Court will be responsible for determining the accused’s bond, if any, at their first appearance. The Magistrate Court will also conduct a preliminary hearing or probable cause hearing to determine whether probable cause existed for the accused’s arrest. However, any misdemeanor trial, or any Motion to Suppress evidence in a misdemeanor case, will take place in the Superior Court of the county the alleged offense occurred.

Many misdemeanor convictions can result in lifelong consequences beyond simple jail time; including immigration consequences and the revocation of your gun rights. If you or a loved one have been charged with a misdemeanor, it is absolutely vital that you move quickly to retain the services of a knowledgeable or experienced attorney.

Call our offices today for your free felony case evaluation and consultation.