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If you are accused of a crime, the only thing standing between your freedom and a verdict of "guilty" is an experienced criminal defense attorney in Bloomingdale, GA.

Those who have been arrested before know that life in the legal system is no laughing matter. Aside from the imminent ramifications of fines and jail time, any goals you have of bettering yourself and advancing your life could be compromised. Without a trusted attorney by your side, you could face a lifetime of embarrassment and poor employment prospects due to a tarnished criminal record.

The good news? Dennis O'Brien and his team of experienced lawyers in Bloomingdale are ready to clear your name. By retaining the help of a criminal defense attorney early in the legal process, you have a much better chance of securing your freedom and living a life as a productive member of society.

At O'Brien Law Firm PC, our practice was founded to fight for the rights of individuals accused of or charged with a crime. Our team of legal experts is well-equipped to take even the most difficult, contentious cases. From violent felonies to DUI, there is nothing we haven't seen and handled. As a former law enforcement officer, founding attorney Dennis O'Brien knows exactly how much a person can lose if convicted. That's why we work tirelessly to secure a verdict that is favorable for our clients.

Regardless of how serious or minor your case may be, know that we will fight fearlessly on your behalf. You deserve zealous representation - when you hire O'Brien Law Firm PC, you will receive nothing less.

 Drug Lawyer Bloomingdale, GA
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The O'Brien Law Firm PC Difference

Many of our clients are surprised to discover that founding lawyer Dennis O'Brien was a police officer prior to his criminal defense career. As a former Field Training Officer for the Memphis Police Department, he has over two decades of knowledge and experience in the criminal justice system. Dennis truly understands the nuance and complexities involved in a criminal defense case. This rare experience gives Dennis a clear edge in any criminal defense case and gives clients priceless peace of mind when they need it the most. Unlike some criminal defense attorneys in Bloomingdale, Dennis O'Brien and his team believe that every client deserves effective, empathetic legal assistance. While some Bloomingdale criminal defense firms will take weekends off or pass along cases to paralegals, Dennis personally reviews each of his cases. There is no case too small or big for O'Brien Law Firm PC. When you hire our firm, you can rest easy knowing that we will be by your side when the going gets tough.

 Federal Defense Attorney Bloomingdale, GA
Here are just a few reasons why O'Brien Law Firm PC is Bloomingdale's top choice in criminal defense:
  • Vigorous Representation
  • Fierce Dedication to Clients
  • Unmatched Experience
  • Face-to-Face Counsel
  • Prompt Response to Inquiries and Questions
  • Commitment to Defending Your Rights
  • Thorough, Effective Research and Investigation
  • Contact Us or Call: 912-704-5150
 Criminal Defense Law Firms Bloomingdale, GA
Our firm has represented hundreds of criminal defense clients in Bloomingdale and is highly qualified to take your case. Some of our specialties include:

Drug Cases in Bloomingdale, GA

When you are charged with a drug crime in Bloomingdale, it can change your life forever. Georgia imposes very strict punishments for drug offenses. The truth is, it's hard to get your life back on track with a drug charge on your record. Your freedom and way of life could be in the hands of your criminal defense attorney. As such, you need a competent lawyer with years of experience handling drug cases. Leaving your fate in the hands of an incompetent attorney could have long-lasting effects on your family and may result in a conviction.

 Criminal Defense Lawyers Bloomingdale, GA

Consequences for drug crimes in Bloomingdale often include:

  • Jail
  • Prison
  • Heavy fines
  • Community service
  • Court-ordered drug and alcohol counseling
  • Probation or parole
  • Permanent criminal record

While the consequences for a drug crime in Georgia are serious, there's reason to be hopeful: O'Brien Law Firm PC is here to fight for you. Remember - being charged with a drug crime is NOT the same thing as being convicted.

Our stellar team has represented many clients facing numerous drug-related charges. While each situation varies, one constant remains the same for clients facing drug charges: a fear of what lies ahead. At O'Brien Law Firm PC our job is to help you overcome the fear of the unknown. We do so by ensuring you understand your charges, the possible outcomes associated with those charges, and the options you need to consider from a criminal defense standpoint.

With more than a decade of experience as Bloomingdale drug crime attorneys, we have the experience and resources to defend you in court no matter what your charges may be, including:

  • Marijuana
  • Crack
  • Cocaine
  • Heroin
  • Methamphetamine
  • Ecstasy

No matter what charge you are facing, our team has the experience and resources to build a comprehensive defense strategy for your drug case in Bloomingdale, GA. Without a criminal defense attorney acting as your advocate, you could be facing very harsh penalties. Here are a few punishments you could be facing for drug crimes in Bloomingdale:

  • Schedule I or Schedule II Drug Possession
    Schedule I or Schedule II Drug Possession:

    Having less than a gram (or one milliliter for liquids) of this type of drug results in a prison term of one to three years. Having four grams or milliliter carries a term of one to eight years.

  • Schedule III, IV, or V Drug Possession
    Schedule III, IV, or V Drug Possession:

    Any substance on this list is punishable by a prison sentence of one to three years.

  • Non-Narcotic Schedule II Drug Possession
    Non-Narcotic Schedule II Drug Possession:

    If you have less than two grams or milliliters of this substance, punishments can be between one year and three years. Having up to four grams or milliliters results in a prison sentence of one to eight years.

  • Possession of Marijuana
    Possession of Marijuana:

    Those who are in possession of less than an ounce of marijuana are subject to a jail sentence of up to 12 months. Fines may be no more than $1,000. Possession of more than an ounce of marijuana can result in a prison term of one to 10 years.

To avoid these life-changing punishments, you must take action now. Contact O'Brien Law Firm today for a consultation about your case.

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 Defense Lawyers Bloomingdale, GA
 Criminal Defense Attorney Bloomingdale, GA

Violent Crime Cases in Bloomingdale, GA

Violent crime offenses in Bloomingdale typically involve some form of bodily harm to another individual, actions committed against an individual's will, or threatening someone with bodily harm. Aggravated violent offenses are more severe charges and often occur when a violent crime is made more serious due to circumstances like deadly weapons.

Much like serious drug cases, violent crimes create an added layer of negativity that follows the accused for the rest of their life. In these cases, even an accusation is enough to cause irreparable damage to a person's reputation. Those convicted of a violent crime face severe penalties that can include years in a correctional facility.

Common crimes of this nature include but are not limited to:
  • Murder
  • Assault with the intent to murder
  • Vehicular homicide
  • Domestic violence
  • Assault
  • Battery
  • Kidnapping
  • Rape
  • Robbery
  • Carjacking

When you are accused of any of the above crimes, your freedom hangs in the balance. The outcome of your case will determine whether you leave the courtroom with your freedom intact or stripped away to serve time behind bars. Because the punishments for violent crimes are so extreme, you should be seeking legal counsel from a criminal defense attorney in Bloomingdale, GA, as soon as possible. As a former police officer with a long record of positive verdicts in violent crime cases, Dennis O'Brien is well equipped to represent you in court.

Having a criminal defense lawyer by your side is the best way to avoid the serious punishments associated with violent crimes. These punishments usually result in prison time if convicted and include:
Forced rape: 20 years
Armed robbery: Up to 20 years
Simple assault: Up to 12 months
Aggravated assault: 10 to 20 years
Aggravated battery: Up to 20 years
Involuntary manslaughter: One to 20 years
Vehicular homicide Up to 15 years
Murder: Life in prison or the death sentence
Zealous Representation Without Judgement

As a former police officer, Dennis O'Brien has seen the toll it takes on a person when charged with a crime. His time in law enforcement allows him to empathize with his clients who desperately need competent representation. Despite being innocent until proven guilty, accusations are scary, and conviction could be a reality. That is why you must work with a trustworthy criminal defense lawyer in Bloomingdale, GA who will work tirelessly to clear your name.

Clients choose O'Brien Law Firm because we believe in open communication, honesty, and hard work. It is not our job to act as judges for those who have been accused of crimes. Rather, our goal is to find the best defense that allows us to protect our clients' rights and freedoms.

DUI Cases in Bloomingdale, GA

Driving under the influence (DUI) is one of the most common crimes committed in Georgia. Punishments for such a crime can be severe, and for understandable reasons - when a person operates a vehicle while they are intoxicated, they're putting their life and the lives of others at risk.

While DUI is a serious crime that completely upend the accused's life, the earnest desire to end drunk driving can make police officers too eager to catch a person who they believe is under the influence.

 Criminal Defense Law Firm Bloomingdale, GA

The city of Bloomingdale, Georgia, has implemented severe punishments for DUI, even for first-time offenders. Individuals charged with DUI in Bloomingdale could face:

  • Very expensive fines and fees
  • Loss of license
  • Incarceration

Fortunately, if you or someone you love has been charged with DUI, there is hope. This is particularly true when the accused is administered a breath or blood test for DUI. In fact, cases that involve a breath and/or blood test are beaten daily. When you hire O'Brien Law Firm PC, we will dive deep into your DUI case in Bloomingdale and examine every angle possible for your case to be dismissed. Here are just a few questions our team will investigate:

  • Was the stop legal? If not, your case could be dismissed
  • Is there enough evidence or probable cause to arrest you? If not, Dennis O'Brien will file a pre-trial motion and will fight hard to have your case dismissed before trial.
  • Did the police read you your implied consent rights? If not, your case could be thrown out. Failure to read implied consent rights to the accused is one of the most common police errors.
  • Were your blood testing records and breathalyzer results maintained? Breath testing comes with inherent weaknesses that can create doubt in a juror's mind.

There are numerous ways to beat a DUI case in Georgia, from unreliable field sobriety tests to inaccurate state-administered breath tests. As a veteran criminal defense lawyer in Bloomingdale, GA, Dennis O'Brien has the knowledge and experience to expose the state's mistakes and fight for your rights. When you hire O'Brien Law Firm PC your chances of dismissal are greatly increased. When your case is dismissed, you can continue living life without the burden of a criminal record.

 Criminal Justice Attorney Bloomingdale, GA

If you or someone you love is accused of a crime in Bloomingdale, GA, don't leave fate up to the prosecution. Take the necessary steps to protect yourself and your family before it's too late.

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Latest News in Bloomingdale, GA

Bloomingdale council: City 'not open for business' for warehouse, apartment development

Moratorium on industrial and multifamily development zoning applications part of new mayor's and council's efforts at 'balance' in fast-growing cityBloomingdale's city council approved an eight-month moratorium on indust...

Moratorium on industrial and multifamily development zoning applications part of new mayor's and council's efforts at 'balance' in fast-growing city

Bloomingdale's city council approved an eight-month moratorium on industrial and multifamily zoning applications during Thursday night's council meeting.

The moratorium, effective immediately, will bar any developers from submitting applications that fall under industrial or multifamily builds such as warehouses, apartment complexes and condominiums.

Existing applications won't be affected. City Administrator Charles Akridge said there are about 30 warehouses that have been approved and are waiting to be built. Two multifamily applications for complexes to be built south of Interstate 16 are being considered.

Bloomingdale mayor Dennis Baxter said the hold is so that the city can properly assess their infrastructure capacity and zoning needs. When first elected into office, Baxter said his main priority is making sure the city is balanced.

"That means you can't have one type of zoning ... you need a healthy city," said Baxter.

More:Bloomingdale's new mayor helped Pooler manage its early growth. Can he do the same again?

Bloomingdale is made up largely of residential-agricultural land but is experiencing more commercial growth along the U.S. 80 corridor. Most of the industrial building is located south of the Georgia Central Railway in the southern portion of the city.

Rapid growth in West Chatham has prompted Bloomingdale to take a measured approach in their own city, according to Baxter.

"We need to consider residents' needs," he said.

The city has a population of about 2,800 residents and 1,320 housing units.

More:Chatham County cities using American Rescue Plan funds for water and sewer infrastructure

Concerns also stem from water and sewer capacity. Bloomingdale currently has a water draw down rate of about 30,000 gallons per day. In 2025, when the Environmental Protection Agency reassess rates, that is most likely to go down, an issue for other Chatham County cities as well.

"We have a limited amount of water and sewer north of I-16," said Baxter.

Making sure the necessary water and sewer infrastructure is in place before homes are built is crucial, Baxter notes.

However, a representative from the Savannah Area Realtors said the pause on industrial and multifamily zoning applications is going to harm economic growth.

"Because of the economic impact of some of these multifamily developments and these industrial developments, there's a lot of money at play," said Cody Jones, government affairs director for the Savannah Area Realtors and the Savannah Multi-list Corporation.

Jones said because this was a zoning issue, more public notice should have been given before the meeting. City council members said they would be looking into the notice requirements.

"The housing market has largely been the economic engine in the state of Georgia and here in Savannah locally," said Jones, "Bloomingdale basically just said 'Where multifamily is concerned we're not open for business'."

Baxter said that the moratorium could end sooner than eight months if they're able to make the proper assessments before then.

Nancy Guan is the general assignment reporter covering Chatham County municipalities. Reach her at nguan@gannett.com or on Twitter @nancyguann.

Bloomingdale boy overcomes health issue, succeeds in baseball

BLOOMINGDALE, GA (WTOC) - One Bloomingdale young man has always had a love for the game of baseball, despite the health challenges he's faced.Carson Lane, 11, was raised in a house with four brothers and a family that is all about sports, but from the day he was born, his parents were afraid things might be different."The doctor told me—he flat out said, 'You're lucky he's alive,'" said Jamie Lane, Carson's mother.Carson was born with Herbs Palsy. The nerves in his shoulder were torn in half during birth,...

BLOOMINGDALE, GA (WTOC) - One Bloomingdale young man has always had a love for the game of baseball, despite the health challenges he's faced.

Carson Lane, 11, was raised in a house with four brothers and a family that is all about sports, but from the day he was born, his parents were afraid things might be different.

"The doctor told me—he flat out said, 'You're lucky he's alive,'" said Jamie Lane, Carson's mother.

Carson was born with Herbs Palsy. The nerves in his shoulder were torn in half during birth, leaving his left arm paralyzed.

After four surgeries, he's now regained about 40 to 50 percent use of that arm. And it turns out part of his healing and growth has come from playing baseball, even in the hospital.

"And we annoyed so many people for so long, but if I could get him to use his arm in any way, I would get him to hit off a plastic tee. And he didn't realize he was doing physical therapy, but he was using that left arm," said Jamie Lane.

Carson hasn't looked back since.

He's adapted a system with unorthodox mechanics. But that hasn't stopped him from playing ball on several school, travel, and community teams since the age of five.

Ken Lane, Carson's dad, said, "It takes a lot of teams a while to figure out he even does anything different. I mean he does it so seamlessly."

To the point that he keeps up, and even performs better than a lot of other kids with his switch up style of catching and throwing.

A style that's now second-nature to him.

"I really don't understand how other people do it now. Like it just became natural," Carson said.

Natural in the same way it was for one of Carson's role models, Jim Abbott. A former professional baseball player born with one hand. And though his mom wants him to go to college first, of course, Carson's ultimate dream is to play in Major League Baseball, too, just like Abbott.

"I'm more proud of his work ethic and the fact that he doesn't give up and has a no-quit attitude. That's what you hear about him. He can play, but you hear more about his heart than anything else," said Ken Lane.

With a heart like that, his family says no dream is too far afield for Carson.

Bloomingdale Elementary School to be demolished next summer; new facility coming fall 2025

At the end of the current school year, the Bloomingdale Elementary School building will be demolished to make way for a completely new school facility, according to the Savannah Chatham County Public School System (SCCPSS).Students and staff will relocate to a “swing site” during demolition and construction, which is slated to begin in September 2023 and finish July 2025. An exact locati...

At the end of the current school year, the Bloomingdale Elementary School building will be demolished to make way for a completely new school facility, according to the Savannah Chatham County Public School System (SCCPSS).

Students and staff will relocate to a “swing site” during demolition and construction, which is slated to begin in September 2023 and finish July 2025. An exact location for the swing site has yet to be determined, according to district officials, but students will remain together and not be split up into different schools.

The school district will host a District 7 Town Hall meeting Nov. 17 at the Bloomingdale Elementary School at 6:30 p.m., where officials will provide additional information.

More:Bloomingdale has a new growth plan. What does this mean for future development in the city?

Bloomingdale Elementary, which serves about 380 pre-k through fifth grade students, is located at 101 East Main Street, just south of U.S. 80. The new school facility will be built on the same site.

The current elementary school building is about 60 years old and is in need of upgrades, according to the district’s project executive, Slade Helmly.

Critical systems have exceeded their useful system life, said Helmly. That includes the HVAC, electrical, fire protection, plumbing, architecture and technological infrastructure.

“You can imagine a school from 60 years ago needs big upgrades,” said Helmly, “It makes more sense to build new than renovate existing.”

Bloomingdale Elementary school was originally slated for renovations as part of ESPLOST IV plans. ESPLOST is a penny sales tax on goods and services purchased within the county that is used to fund capital improvement projects for the county school district. Extended through a voter referendum every five years, ESPLOST has generated more than $1 billion for public schools since its inception in 2006.

More:ESPLOST IV will be on the ballot for everyone in Chatham County on Nov. 2. But what is ESPLOST?

Original plans to repair Bloomingdale Elementary shifted when total costs for renovations exceeded 50% of costs to build a replacement facility, said SCCPSS spokesperson Sheila Blanco. At that rate, it would be more cost-effective to build an entirely new facility, said Blanco.

The exact cost for the new school building isn’t finalized, but Helmly puts construction for new facilities generally around $25 to $30 million. White Bluff Elementary, which was completed July of 2020 and serves about 650 students, cost $22.6 million to construct.

More:Port Wentworth Elementary to close in May while residents share concerns on its future use

At the Oct. 5 school board meeting, district officials approved transferring $28,705,000 from various ESPLOST IV accounts – specifically Pooler Elementary School and Bloomingdale Elementary School renovation accounts – to a new school replacement account. Construction for the replacement school will come entirely from ESPLOST funds.

As the project is still in its early stages, specific design plans have not been drawn up yet. According to the program schedule, the project is still in its programming phase, which will be followed by schematic development and design development in February 2023.

Once the baseline spaces have been established according to Georgia Department of Education standards, community meetings to solicit input from staff and community members and stakeholders will begin, said Helmly.

Nancy Guan is the general assignment reporter covering Chatham County municipalities. Reach her at nguan@gannett.com or on Twitter @nancyguann.

Warehouse project coming soon to Bloomingdale's Ottawa Farms

Bloomingdale City Council approved the first phase of a 4.5 million square foot warehouse project known as the Ottawa Farms Tracts during last Thursday’s council meeting. The large-scale, long-term project anticipates the building of nine warehouses on more than 400 acres of land over the cours...

Bloomingdale City Council approved the first phase of a 4.5 million square foot warehouse project known as the Ottawa Farms Tracts during last Thursday’s council meeting. The large-scale, long-term project anticipates the building of nine warehouses on more than 400 acres of land over the course of the next decade.

McCraney Property Company, a Florida-based company that develops and manages commercial/industrial, office/flex, office and warehouse distribution properties, is the developer for the project. McCraney received approval for tract A, the first warehouse building comprising about 33 acres, located off of Bloomingdale Road and adjacent to the city’s main visitor attraction, the Ottawa Farms.

Story continues below.

The warehouse project stirred controversy in the small and quiet residential town when Ottawa Farms' owner, Pete Waller, requested that a significant portion of his agricultural land be rezoned to light industrial in 2019.

Previously:Industrial development proposed for Ottawa Farms site

The six-person council was evenly split on the rezoning decision, with then-mayor Ben Rozier breaking the tie with a yes vote. In a previous interview, Rozier told the Savannah Morning News that Waller had talked about possibly deannexing and incorporating his land into the neighboring city of Pooler if Bloomingdale did not approve the rezoning,

'It's in your blood': Ottawa Farms' Pete Waller reminisces on decades of farming in Chatham

Ottawa Farms encompasses nearly 800 acres of land south of residential neighborhoods near U.S. 80. About 150 acres will remain agricultural, according to previous interviews with Waller. The third-generation farmer recognizes residents’ desire to preserve the last-remaining farm in Chatham County, but he said the math is no longer there to maintain farmland in this region.

Skyrocketing property taxes have rendered the agricultural business unfeasible. To keep the land in his name, Waller is renting, not selling, the parcels to the warehouse business.

Before:Bloomingdale council: City 'not open for business' for warehouse, apartment development

Residents and city officials across western Chatham County are resisting the pressures of industrialization as the rapid growth of the Port of Savannah continues to bolster the logistics and manufacturing industries.

In January, Bloomingdale's council unanimously approved an eight-month moratorium on applications for industrial and multi-family developments while the city assesses its infrastructure capacity and ensures current land use falls in line with the city’s comprehensive plan.

Also:A second West Chatham city freezes industrial development. Why growth trends are troubling

More recently, Garden City followed suit by imposing its own moratorium on industrial rezoning applications, citing a need to increase residential builds in the industrial and commercial-heavy municipality.

Goals outlined in Bloomingdale’s 2021 comprehensive plan include preserving the small city charm by discouraging heavy industry and large, multifamily, high-density developments such as apartments, which would strain the city’s limited infrastructure capacity.

However, with the warehouse park in tow, city officials hope the project can be a financial windfall to the city of 2,800. Attracting light industrial and the jobs that come with it is also part of Bloomingdale’s long-term goals to sustaining the municipality's economy.

According to previous reporting from the Savannah Morning News, the $300 million investment would create upwards of 1,000 new jobs in a city with 300 to 500 jobs.

Nancy Guan is the general assignment reporter covering Chatham County municipalities. Reach her at nguan@gannett.com or on Twitter @nancyguann.

'It's unacceptable': Bloomingdale residents outraged over possible rezoning

Two Savannah elected officials join in the fight, speaking out against the change. Infinite Scroll Enabled GET LOCAL BREAKING NEWS ALERTSThe latest breaking updates, delivered straight to your email inbox.Your Email AddressPrivacy Notice BLOOMINGDALE, Ga. —Neighbors in Bloomingdale, and two elected officials from Savannah, are furious over possible rezoning and a ...

Two Savannah elected officials join in the fight, speaking out against the change.

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BLOOMINGDALE, Ga. —

Neighbors in Bloomingdale, and two elected officials from Savannah, are furious over possible rezoning and a lack of communication.

“The way that this has been handled, it is unacceptable. It's unacceptable,” said neighbor Garnasia Bogus.

The area ... between John Carter Road, Old River Road, Little Neck Road and I-16 is currently zoned for industrial-light use, which means it's built for warehouses.

Next week, Savannah's Economic Development Authority will request the land be rezoned to industrial-heavy use. That means almost anything could go there.

“We have stood up time and again about rezoning issues, poor public notification. You see this sign in the woods, that's one example,” said resident Carrie Bieber.

That legally-required public notice sign sits far away from the access road, barely in view. Its placement even has Chatham County Commissioner Aaron Whitely baffled.

“I was tremendously appalled to come and see where the sign placement for the public meeting for this development, that is behind us, where it was,” Whitely said.

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Neighbors are concerned, too, about the impacts this rezoning could bring. Noise, heavy traffic and bright lights at night, just to name a few.

“Our community has been under constant threat and this is our way of dealing with it,” neighbor Cheryl Sanderlin said.

The residents tell me they'll be out in full force at the May 24 meeting of the planning commission.

“We'll fight,” said Anne Horn. “We the people of this area will fight. We'll show up and show out.”

The area facing rezoning is currently neighbored by two other pieces of land zoned for industrial-heavy use.

WJCL reached out to the Metro Planning Commission to ask why the sign was placed where it was and the ultimate plan for the land. So far, we haven’t received a response.

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