A lot of folks in Georgia and around the U.S will openly admit that they don’t like lawyers. It’s a pretty common theme amongst most people. But what is worse than finding out that the lawyer that you put your trust in (even if you didn’t like him or her) isn’t as great at their job as they said that they were?
It’s a horrible feeling to realize that your lawyer isn’t up to par, but if you take to heart some of the following tips, you can avoid that feeling altogether.
Do Your Homework – This of it like this: if you just moved to a new city, and you knew that your car needed some body work, wouldn’t you ask around and do some research to find the most trusted body shop with the best prices?
Finding the right criminal defense lawyer in Savannah or Atlanta is similar, in that you should do your due diligence and find the right lawyer for you. If you are facing a criminal charge, the result of your case is one that you will have to live with for the rest of your life, so take the time to make sure that you choose a great criminal defense lawyer. Searching the phone directory is just the first step.
Experience Matters – It might be hard for a lot of people to believe, but there are a lot of lawyers in this world who have never tried a case in the entire span of their career. One of the first questions you should ask your lawyer is how many trials he or she has had. Also consider asking:
• Were the cases that you been involved in civil or criminal cases?
• Were the cases in front of a jury or a judge?
• How many cases did you win last year?
• How many cases have you won this year?
Specialized Case=Specialized Lawyer – It is a good rule of thumb to not hire a general practitioner to do a specialized job. Most criminal defense cases are very in-depth and contain many nuances and intricacies that only a seasoned attorney like Dennis O’Brien can navigate through.
If time is of the essence in your case and you do not have enough time to search for a proper criminal defense lawyer, Dennis O’Brien can help. With years of experience as a lawyer as well as a police officer, O’Brien Law Firm PC brings a unique set of skills and understanding to the table that other lawyers cannot. Contact us today for your free initial consultation.
While most men and women who have a Georgia Weapons License know when and where they can carry their firearm, there are still those that have questions regarding certain areas of the law that may be murky. If you fall into this category, keep reading to see answers to questions that have that will help inform you on how to properly carry a weapon in Georgia.
Am I allowed to carry a firearm into a church?
No, you cannot carry a firearm into a church or any other place of worship for that matter. However, it is not illegal to have a firearm in your car in the parking lot of a place of worship such as a church, so long as you have a valid Georgia Weapons License.
Can I carry my firearm into a restaurant?
The SB308 law does not stop you from carrying your firearm into a restaurant, so long as you have a valid Georgia Weapons license. It should be noted, however, that if the owner of the establishment does not want you in his or her restaurant because you are carrying a firearm, you must leave. Failure to do so within a reasonable amount of time is breaking the law, and may end badly, as you may be charged with criminal trespass.If you have been charged with criminal trespass, but followed proper procedure and left the eating establishment in a quick manner, contact a reputable Savannah criminal defense attorney who can help protect your rights as a gun owner.
Can I carry at a Wildlife Management Area or a State Park?
Yes, and State law preempts any local ordinances that may take issue with this. You are also allowed to carry your firearm into any publically owned and operated buildings on these types of properties.
I know that it is illegal to carry a firearm into a government building. My question is what exactly is a government building?
A government building is any building that houses an institution, division, body, board, commission, authority, department, agency or office of the state or any county, consolidated government, municipal corporation, or board of education in the state of Georgia. You should also know that if a government entity meets in a privately owned building, you cannot carry a firearm into the area of the building where the government entity exists and meets.
I have been cooperative in every aspect of my first DUI case. What happens if I plead guilty in court?
Because of the DUI laws in the state of Georgia, if you plead guilty to your first DUI charge you will receive mandatory jail time. Despite your cooperation, the judge ruling over your case has no other choice but to sentence you to jail time. When you plead guilty to your first DUI charge your license will also be suspended for one year, and you will have a DUI on your criminal record which may result in less employers hiring you. You will also experience higher automobile insurance rates among other consequences.
I do not recall my arresting officer reading me my Miranda rights. Can my case be thrown out?
A police officer only has to issue you your Miranda rights after you have been arrested and before he or she interrogates you. Under Georgia law, a police officer does not have to give a Miranda warning during an officer’s initial DUI investigation. It is a good rule of thumb to keep quiet and not say anything that may incriminate you before, during or after you have been arrested. However, if you have been placed into custody, interrogated, and not issued a Miranda warning any incriminating statements you make will not be admissible in the court of law.
It is always a good idea to contact one of the Savannah DUI lawyers if you have any questions regarding Miranda rights or any other facet of DUI law.
A colleague of mine mentioned the 10 day rule. What is this?
The 10 day rule comes into play if you refused to take a urine, blood or breath test. If this is the case in your situation, you are looking at a one year suspension of your driver’s license. You can avoid this by requesting a hearing to the Georgia Department of Public Safety, which must be hand written. If you do not make this request within 10 business days of your arrest, then your Georgia driver’s license will be suspended automatically.