A criminal record can have a serious impact on your life. If you’ve been arrested, contact a Savannah criminal defense lawyer immediately to protect your rights and freedom.
Goad Law focuses solely on criminal defense in Savannah, Georgia. Their attorneys have served as prosecutors and understand the ins & outs of the court system. They identify weaknesses in the prosecution’s case and fight for the best possible outcome for their clients.
Drunk Driving
Driving under the influence is a serious offense in Georgia. A DUI conviction can have lasting effects on a person’s life. It can result in hefty fines, jail time, license suspension, and probation. It can also affect a person’s ability to secure employment or obtain a mortgage.
A Savannah DUI lawyer can help you fight your case. They can review video, incident reports and breath or blood tests. They can argue that the police didn’t have probable cause to pull you over or that their observations were incorrect.
They can also fight for your right to refuse a breath test or blood test. They can argue that the officer failed to follow proper procedure or that the evidence collected was inadmissible. They can also defend you against a DUI conviction by proving that you weren’t driving at the time of the accident or that your alcohol level was below the legal limit. They can also help you get a reduced sentence if you are convicted of DUI.
Non-Violent Crimes
Each week, Savannah’s police department publishes a “crime report” with benchmark statistics that often end up in headlines and kitchen table discussions. However, the reports exclude several categories of crime, including fraud, drug violations and weapons offenses.
A conviction for a violent crime could have long-lasting, devastating effects on an accused person’s life. In addition to lengthy incarceration, fines and other penalties, a person may have difficulty finding employment and may risk losing custody of children and damaging personal relationships.
It is vital that anyone charged with a violent crime seeks legal assistance from an experienced Savannah criminal defense attorney as soon as possible. A qualified lawyer can fight for reduced charges, a dismissal of the case altogether or an acquittal if he or she can prove that the alleged offense was committed due to diminished capacity or self-defense. Additionally, our firm can help victims with the cost of out-of-pocket medical or counseling expenses and funeral costs related to a violent crime offense.
Death Penalty Offenses
In Georgia, murder and other felony crimes can lead to long prison sentences or even the death penalty. However, there are many cases in which a murder charge may not seem like it warrants the death penalty. These cases are often ones in which the accused’s mental health problems make it difficult for them to comprehend the severity of their actions.
The State must show that the death was a foreseeable result of the underlying felony in order to convict a defendant of felony murder. If your attorney can prove that the underlying felony did not lead to a death and was not one in which a death could have reasonably been expected, then you may be able to get the charge reduced to manslaughter.
For example, in the case of Brockman v. State, an armed robber broke into a gas station and told the owner to hand over his money. The victim refused, and Brockman shot him in the stomach and killed him.
Misdemeanor Offenses
As criminal defense lawyers, we have cultivated relationships with local prosecutors and have deep knowledge of Georgia crime law. We can use this to build a strong, unique, and strategic defense that may result in reduced or dismissed charges. Whether you are from out of town or visiting the state on vacation, getting arrested can be very stressful.
If you’ve been charged with a misdemeanor crime, it’s important to hire an attorney right away. Even though the penalties are less severe than a felony, a criminal record can affect your future employment and housing prospects.
A Savannah misdemeanor lawyer can help you fight to avoid jail time, fines and other consequences. They can also help you navigate probation and any other requirements that come with it. Typically, these conditions can include random drug testing and attendance at a DUI class or anger management class. This is why it’s crucial to retain a Savannah attorney who knows these requirements and how to fight them.
