Tuesday, July 31, 2012

Theft Defense Attorney Lawrenceville

Question: Is there a limitation on the amount of time Oconee County jail can hold someone on a failure to appear on a misdemeanor theft by shoplifting charge without giving her a court date?

Answer: No, once a person fails to appear, and the bond is revoked then the next court date is the next court date. There is no law dictating how long before the next court date.

Sunday, July 29, 2012

Felony Theft Attorney Lawrenceville

Question: For a felony theft by conversion charge for a contractor, the homeowner is stating he did not complete work but took the money. He hired help to work on job, and had a witness to him buying material and dropping it off at the client's home. He was also issued a citation while in jail for not obtaining a permit for the work he performed. All inspected work was up to code, but the homeowner had to list him as the contractor performing the work, but is also charging him for not doing the work. Is there a chance of these charges being dropped/dismissed?

Answer: The contractor was paid all of his, but did not complete the job. Is that correct? Then it is theft by conversion. It does not matter that the contractor purchased 85% of the material, and completed 35% of the job, when he took 100% of the money. There is little chance of the charges being dismissed.

Answered By Lawrence Lewis - Felony Theft Attorney Lawrenceville

Bond Hearing Attorneys Lawrenceville


 If the Magistrate Court judge cannot set a bond pursuant to O.C.G.A. 17-6-1 (charges that only a Superior Court judge can set bond on, include murder, rape, aggravated sodomy, armed robbery, hijacking a motor vehicle, aggravated child molestation, aggravated sexual battery, trafficking cocaine/heroin/meth/ecstasy, aggravated stalking), the defense attorney may file a bond motion, and request a bond hearing date before a Superior Court judge.  The Superior Court judge will conduct a pre-trial bond hearing, where judge will consider four factors:
(1)    Defendant’s criminal history, and the likelihood that he/she is a risk to commit additional felonies while on bond;

(2)    Defendant’s history of missing court dates, and the likelihood that he/she will flee from the jurisdiction of the court, or fail to appear in court when required;

(3)    Defendant’s character, and the likelihood that he/she poses a threat or danger to any person, to the community or to any property in the community; and

(4)    Defendant’s propensity for violence, and the likelihood that he/she will intimidate witnesses or otherwise obstruct the administration of justice.

Friday, July 27, 2012

Criminal Defense Lawyer Lawrenceville

Question: Are there attorneys that handle recidivism in the state of Ga?

Answer: Recidivism is not anything to be handled. Criminal attorneys handle charges. When a person is convicted and sentenced as a recidivist, he will NOT be eligible for parole. There are a number of ways to challenge recidivist notice, but any good attorney should know that.

Preliminary Hearing

The preliminary hearing typically occurs between ten and fourteen days after arrest.  A preliminary hearing (also known as a “probable cause” hearing, or “commitment” hearing) is a proceeding where the prosecutor must establish in court that they have enough evidence to detain the individual on the filed charges (i.e. warrant).  The hearing is designed primarily for the benefit of those incarcerated individuals who have been unable to post bond, to ensure that they are not held in jail on unfounded charges.  However, individuals out on bond are also permitted to request a preliminary hearing, and as a general rule an attorney should request one in almost every felony case regardless of whether the defendant is in jail.

        If a defendant is in jail at the time the preliminary hearing is conducted and the state fails to establish probable cause that he or she has committed the offense, the defendant is entitled to have the charge dismissed and to be released from jail. If the defendant is not in jail and the state fails to establish probable cause the defendant is entitled to have the charge dismissed and to be released from the conditions of his or her bond. However, a dismissal of the charge at the preliminary hearing does not prevent a grand jury from issuing an indictment against the defendant at a later date. Thus, a defendant whose case is thrown out at a preliminary hearing could still face the same charges again. If this occurs, then the defendant will be rearrested on the same charge, and would have to post bond in order to get out of jail while awaiting trial.


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Wednesday, July 25, 2012

Drug Defense Attorney Lawrenceville

Question: My fiance was charged with intent to sell drugs and was given a reduced bond to get out of jail. How does a reduced bond work and what are the conditions of a reduced bond?

Answer:  A reduced bond works the same way as a regular bond, except the amount required to make the bond is less (therefore reduced) than it was before. Good luck.

Court Dates - First Appearance

The first appearance hearing normally occurs within forty-eight hours of an arrest.  It is the first court date after a person has been arrested for either a misdemeanor or felony offense.  The brief hearing normally takes place at the jail, where the person detained will be: (1) told his charges; (2) told his bond amount (if any); and (3) asked about representation. 


DUI Attorneys Lawrenceville, Traffic Citation Lawyer Norcross

Monday, July 23, 2012

Sex Offense Attorney Lawrenceville

Question: I was just given a ticket for having sex in my car in a public park. The officer told me & the guy he would ticket us under disorderly conduct for the city in Georgia. This is a first time offense for both of us & we thought they would just tell us to move along but they gave us the ticket. The law says up to $1000 fine & a year in jail. But if I opt for the fine, how much will I most likely have to pay? I'm in college & don't have a job so I definitely do not have the money to pay for this ticket.

Answer: Don't do the crime IF you cannot pay the fine. You need to appear in court, and beg the judge to give you a low fine. You should recognize that after the judge gives you a low fine, the offense will appear on your criminal history as a guilty plea. So, you wil be explaining it potential employers for the rest of your life - how you could not spring for a hotel room. 

Answered By Lawrence Lewis - Sex Offense Attorney Lawrenceville

Shoplifting Attorneys Lawrenceville


QUESTION:      
      I was charged with a theft by shoplifting misdemeanor, value of the items were13.33 and it was food taken because I didn’t have the money to pay for food and people in my dwelling including myself had nothing to eat. I was given the standard disposition 12 months’ probation, 40 hrs community service and a hefty fine, as well as spent 7 days in jail, I feel that this was an injustice, the time spent in jail was enough. I have no job and no car or reliable source of transportation there for making it difficult as well as a hardship to comply with these orders.  What can I do about this?  Can I appeal?  Also can I get a public defender for this? Please tell me what can I do?
ANSWER:         You can return to court and ask the judge to reconsider the sentence in its entirety (unlikely to work), or ask the judge to convert more of the fine to community service. You need to do as much community service as you can. Why do I think that? You told me. You are in a place where you don`t have $ 15 in your pocket for food. The people in your company do not have $ 15 for food. You do not have a car or a job. Therefore, you need to retrain your mind. You need to find employment, and a better group of people to keep your company. If you volunteer with Habitats for Humanity you will be introduced to people who can substantially improve your situation. First, you can get training on how to lay tile or hardwood, or learn plumbing work, and maybe even land a job. Second, you can get connected to folks that can help you find decent housing. Third, you will improve your company. OR you can continue down the road you are on, which will clearly result in a prison sentence, for something that you did not do.
There is no appeal to a guilty plea. You can ask the judge to withdraw the plea, but since you were in jail for 7 days before you entered the plea, I know that you were not drunk of high when you entered the plea. The judge will not appoint a public defender.

Saturday, July 21, 2012

Misdemeanor Attorney Lawrenceville

Question: How Pro-se defendant can prevent previous criminal record (1 felony) from being mentioned or submitted in unrelated misdemeanor trial.

Answer: A felony can always be used to impeach a testifying witness. A felony conviction can typically be used as a similar transaction. A felony can be used in aggravation of punishment. You need to retain an attorney, before your "little" misdemeanor lands you in jail for 4 months. Good luck.

Speedy trial demands


QUESTION:       My friend was arrested for two felony forgery counts.  Bond has been set but there has been no arraignment and no indictment.  He has been sitting in jail for 4 months. He has a public defender whom he has never met.  I spoke to the PD once but he does not return calls.  We want to know if he can request a speedy trial even though there has been no indictment.

ANSWER:         No statutory speedy trial demand can be filed until an indictment or accusation is returned. A constitutional speedy trial demand can be filed, but it does not force the prosecutor to trial quickly. Because your friend is represented, he cannot file either speedy trial demand on his own.


Thursday, July 19, 2012

Drug Defense Attorney Lawrenceville

Question: I was pulled over after leaving a friends house.. I asked the reason for being stopped and the officer said my car matched the description of one used in a armed robbery earlier that day. He said there was a mask used in the robbery and asked if he could search the vehicle and I agreed.. During the search a cigarette pack with 2 grs of marijuana and a bag containing methamphetamine residue was found stuffed underneath the passenger seat towards the rear row of seats. It was not mine nor do I know who's it was or how it got there. I have a family to support and care for so when placed in handcuffs I became extremely desperate, and agreed to assist with the arrest of 3 others in order to be released. I did NOT admit anything discovered belonged to me nor did I sign a report saying what was discovered belonged to me. I don't use drugs nor do I know where or who to purchase them from. He informed me that if I didn't keep my word, there would be a warrant issued and I would be charged. Is there anything I can do to fight this considering I was told I was being searched in regards to an armed robbery and not because I was pulling out of a rough neighborhood known for distribution of drugs? Please help anyway possible.. I can't put my family in jeaporady of being hard in anyway by becoming an informant for the police

Answer: What type of help are you looking for? You were found in a vehicle, where drugs were located. Rather than just deal with that charge, you created more drama, by lying to the police about what you were willing to do. You should expect to be charged with possession of drugs, and face jail time. While you are out, I suggest that you stack your money for your attorney.

Plea Deals


QUESTION:       What should I expect in terms of a plea offer (from the prosecutor) or sentence (from the judge)?
ANSWER:         The plea offer and/or sentence is typically a function of a number of different things:
(1)   Age of the accused
(2)   Age of the victim (if there is a victim)
(3)   The criminal record (GCIC) of the accused
(4)   The nature of the offense
(5)   The quality/experience of the defense attorney
(6)   The jurisdiction where the offense occurred (Fulton County is more lenient than Butts County) 
(7)   How quickly the accused takes responsibility, especially if there are co-defendant against which the accused can testify
(8)    The judge hearing the case (some judges hate burglaries, other hate graffiti)
QUESTION:       My friend got arrested in GA with two charges: (1) criminal trespass; and (2) entering auto.  He broke a car window, took glasses, papers and teddy bear. How bad is this?  He has a public defender, any benefits by getting private defender?
ANSWER:         Any felony offense is a problem, and entering auto is a felony offense.  With no prior record though, he should get probation, with a fine and some community service. The real problem, which the public defender will never address (which most attorneys will not address) is: Why did your friend commit the offenses.  Without the answer to why, some other stupid sh#t (breaking into a vehicle to take a teddy bear qualifies as stupid sh#t) will occur, and he will be back in jail with a violation of probation. So it is just as important to understand why he did it, as it is to resolve it.

Tuesday, July 17, 2012

Shoplifting Attorney Lawrenceville

Question: I'm a 17 year old kid in the state of Georgia. I was arrested for shoplifting from Wal Mart for 40$ ( iPhone Case and a screen protector) . I was then taken to jail and spent the night in jail until bonded out. I have an attorney but haven't gotten a good chance to talk. Is there a chance I will be seeing jail time? This is my first offense for anything.

Answer: You are an adult at 17, which is why you went to adult jail. There is a possibility of you going to jail, but you will probably get probation. The issue of why you stole remains unresolved. good luck.

Sunday, July 15, 2012

Family Violence Attorney Lawrenceville

Question: Can a first offender ever own a gun? I was 16 when I was convicted, my record was expunged and I am now 25. Game-fully employed and never had another problem with the law. I live in Gwinnett County, Georgia.

Answer: If you plead first offender, then you do not have an expungement. To answer your question: If you have no felony convictions and no convictions for family violence then you can own a gun. Good luck.

Answered By Lawrence Lewis - Family Violence Attorney Lawrenceville

How do I select a good attorney?


If you are searching websites for an attorney to represent you in a criminal matterpersonal injury case, worker's compensation case, medical malpractice case, divorce case, or even real estate transaction, then you either:

[ ] do not know you should have a trusted family attorney, or family friend, that practices law, refer you to an attorney that can address your legal problem; or
[ ] do not have a trusted family attorney, or family friend, that practices law.
If you have a trusted family attorney, or family friend, that practices law, then you should forsake your electronic search for an attorney, and rely on your family friend's legal acumen, experience and reputation in referring you to an attorney. 

First, attorneys respond to attorneys.  It is far easier to get an attorney to return another attorney's phone call.  Each attorney recognizes that the other is busy, and will explain the issue in the most succinct manner possible.  The referring attorney will probably not minimize the legal problem, or the possible alternatives.  Neither will the referring attorney give an exasperating explanation of the legal problem, only to end with, "by the way, they have no money."  If the referring attorney violates these aforementioned rules, he will soon find that his colleagues will not return his phone calls.


Friday, July 13, 2012

Murder Defense Attorney Lawrenceville

Question: My son in law is incarcerated. The lawyer I was able to get him, since he is on trial for murder and we didn't have any money, said she would take a property in exchange for her services. She got the property, since september she has only been to see him seven times, will not accept his calls, does not return calls from the family or discusses what's going on with his case, other than she negotiated a plea of felony murder if he pleads guilty. He has 3 other co defendents and based on the evidence he was not the murderer. We don't feel that she has done everything in his best interest or defended him to the best of her abilities. What can be done since we don't have any money for a new attorney?

Answer: Request that the judge appoint an attorney to represent him. So, he will be represented by an attorney.

How do I select a good criminal defense attorney?


February 2011 will mark the start of my twelfth year as a criminal defense attorney.  I spent the first four and a half years, after graduating from Cornell Law School, working as a state prosecutor, both in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and Atlanta, Georgia. The last eleven years, I have defended individuals accused of all types of crimes.  During those fifteen years, I worked an average of seventy hours a week, and saw my fair share of justice and lunacy. 

If you have been arrested and/or charged with a criminal offense, you are about to enter the arcane world of criminal law. My first piece of advice in selecting a good criminal defense attorney is similar to the advice offered in selecting a good attorney: Have a trusted family attorney, or family friend that practices law, refer you to a criminal defense attorney. If you do not have such a resource, then you need to take heed of the following advice.

When searching for an attorney you should be focused on two things: energy and experience.  You need to find an attorney that possesses both.  You want to avoid attorneys that have graduated from law school in the last three years, because while they may have a lot of energy, their lack of experience means they will be learning to practice law with your case.  You want to avoid attorneys that have graduated more than fifty years ago, because while they may have a ton of experience, they are often unable to return phone calls or stay awake in court.

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Wednesday, July 11, 2012

Burglary Defense Attorneys Lawrenceville

Question: I have a felony burglary charge. Can the charges be dropped before my court date?

Answer:  Charges can be dropped, but I suspect that you will need an experienced attorney.

Answered By Lawrence Lewis - Burglary Defense Attorneys Lawrenceville

Top Five Reasons Not to Hire a DUI Attorney to Address Your Non-DUI Felony


Potential clients seeking information about the criminal justice process often ask if I specialize in the exact offense with which they are charged.  Of course, no criminal defense attorney specializes in juvenile burglary cases, domestic violence between same sex partners cases, or grandparent child molestation cases.  The reality is there is probably not enough business in any particular area of criminal law to justify additional specialization beyond criminal defense.  I suspect this is true throughout the United States, with one exception: Driving Under the Influence (DUI). 

Driving under the influence (aka driving while intoxicated) is the one area where a number of attorney, especially young attorneys (i.e. graduated from law school in the last four years) choose to specialize.  I suspect there are a number of reasons for that: (1) there are a number of CLE (continuing legal education) classes that focus specifically on training attorneys to defend DUI classes; (2) attorneys that teach other attorneys how to defense DUI cases can justify fees charged for tuition by explaining the voluminous number of DUI arrests every month (DUI arrest numbers are monitored religiously, and that area of criminal defense is actively promoted); (3) DUIs represent the greatest number of police arrests every month, because in our culture “everything is better with alcohol;” (4) DUI clients come from every socio-economic group, and as such many can pay hefty fees for their DUI defense (unlike many criminal clients, DUI client have money to spend on their defense); and (5) unlike other clients, DUI clients are not folks who have had a great deal of contact with the justice system, so they are more anxious and frightened than the average criminal – a fact that the DUI attorney exploits to his advantage.  Irrespective of the reasons why, it is important to note there are more attorneys specializing in DUIs than in any other area of criminal defense.  Unfortunately, many of these DUI attorneys promote themselves as criminal defense attorneys, claiming that they can handle any type of misdemeanor, juvenile or felony case. 


Monday, July 9, 2012

Drug Defense Attorneys Cumming

Question: Back in 2010 mi 18 yo brother at the time was arrested for spiking my drink. He was later said to be incompentant enough to go to trail. However, our local news station did a story about it on tv and also put an article on their website about what happened. Last week, my sister posted the story to facebook from the tv station and tagged me in the post. I also shared it since it was a true event and i was the one it happened to. We made comments on it, all which were true but some of my other family members saw it and told my parents about it. They called me and said that they were going to have my sister and I charged with slander if we didnt take our posts down. Can they do that even though the article was true and the comments we made were all true? My brother put medicine in my juice one morning and i had drank half or it before I realized something was in it. He said that he did it to hark me because he had gotten in trouble the day before and he couldnt go out with myself and his girlfriend so he did not want me to go either. My mom told me to call the police after it happened and the police has him on tape admitting to everything. After that my mom started taking him to doctors and they said he was mildly retarded but when he confess he said that he was in his right mind and and knew exactly what he was doing. The local tv station does reports of people who are locked up and they did one on him and showed his mug shot and told what he did on tv for 2 days straight. They also posted the story on their website and the story can still be found there.

Answer: Let me get this right: (1) yoru 18 year old brother was viewed as mildly retarded, but no one else in your family noticed it for 18 years? (2) when your mother found out about the incident, she told you to call the police, even though you and your retarded brother were living in her home, rather than she calling the police and taking the lead, is that correct? Please stop writing and find some type of sustainable, productive employment that you enjoy, OR find something at a local school that you might enjoy studying, In other words, get a life.

Domestic violence attorney


Irrespective of whether it is a mild push or a violent beating, domestic violence (aka family violence) is particularly disruptive to the constructive development of each family member.  The accused is typically arrested and jailed, the victim’s esteem is negatively affected, and every family member that witnesses or hears the assault is placed in the precarious position of choosing sides.  Much of the domestic violence that occurs can be avoided by avoiding the behavior or arguments that lead to domestic violence.  The top five fights that lead to domestic violence typically center around: 

(5) Drinking (alcohol) or drug use
(4) Cheating or womanizing
(3) Time
(2) Money 
(1) Poor communication

Substance abuse, primarily alcohol consumption, dominates many fights that lead to domestic violence. Unfortunately, most sober spouses choose to confront the drinking spouse while the drinking spouse is under the influence of alcohol or drugs, which is the worse time to argue about the substance abuse.  If there is going to be any confrontation, the sober spouse should try and press the issue when neither spouse is under the influence of alcohol.  The typical scenario goes like this:


Saturday, July 7, 2012

Burglary Defense Lawyer Lawrenceville

Question: I have a felony burglary charge. What happens if the accuser decides not to press charges against me?

Answer: If you look at the warrant, indictment or other paperwork,it reads the State of Georgia v. YOU, not the VICTIM v. YOU. The victim is a witness for the prosecutor, not the prosecutor. If the witness fails to appear in court, the case will be dismissed. However, the prosecutor, in looking at the case or your record may put pressure on the witness to appear in court. Good luck

Can I trust my public defender?


Q: Can I trust my public defender?
A: MAYBE, it depends on your level of maturity.  There are a number of reasons the system does not work.

THE TOP FIVE REASONS THE PUBLIC DEFENDER SYSTEM DOES NOT WORK
When a criminal defendant indicates that he is unable to afford an attorney, the judge will often appoint an attorney.  This court appointed attorney represents the defendant at a minimal cost, often just the cost of appointment, which is currently fifty dollars ($50) in Georgia.  Irrespective of whether the indigent criminal defendant is represented by the public defender, court appointed counsel (private attorney that agrees to take court appointed work), or a conflict defender, the relationship is often strained, and the system fails to work.  There are a number of reasons the system does not work:

(5) Clients arrested for criminal offenses have poor judgment.  This should be no real surprise.  Some poor choice has led to the arrest.  Either the criminal client has elected to knowingly participate in criminal activity, OR associate with others who he knows frequently engage in criminal activity.  Either the criminal client has deliberately placed himself in a dangerous locale, OR has followed some friend to a den of iniquity.  I have yet to represent the honor student on his way home from chemistry lab that gets caught up in the drug raid.  I am sure some attorney has, just not me.  Irrespective of how the arrest occurred, the client often gave the officer arresting him plenty of reason to arrest him.
After he is arrested and assigned an attorney to represent him, the criminal client begins the relationship by referring to the court appointed attorney has a “public pretender” or “free lawyer”.  Only an insane person would think it is a good idea to insult the only person standing between the criminal client and a lengthy prison sentence, and justify the insult as a means of motivating the attorney to do more on his case than the next defendant. 

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Thursday, July 5, 2012

Rape Defense Attorney Lawrenceville

Question: What do you do if your not guilty of a sexual assault but you are accused of rape by a victim?

Answer: Since a rape conviction carries a mandatory life in prison (30 years before you are eligible for parole), I would contact an experienced attorney, sit down for a consult and begin preparing a defense. That is what I would do.

Answered By Lawrence Lewis - Rape Defense Attorney Lawrenceville

Why should I attend anger management classes?


Q: Why should I attend anger management classes?
A: Anger management classes are the most underutilized resources in the criminal justice system.  If conducted properly, anger management will give you a great deal of insight into why you do what you do.

IT IS NOT ABOUT THE ANGER

                Often times when a person is convicted of some type of family violence, the judge will sentence the person to attend anger management classes, in an effort to help the person learn skills to diffuse or redirect anger, and learn more constructive ways to express anger.  If the person attending the classes is open to the instruction, then he will acquire some tools to diffuse his anger.  If he is really lucky, he will gain some insight into where his anger comes from. 

Anger is often a secondary emotion, which we jump to in order not to feel the pain or vulnerability of the initial emotion.  So, while there may be a great deal of anger in the workplace, at home, at school or on the internet, the anger comes from very different emotional places.  For example, when one person feels afraid, thefear is often quickly replaced by anger.  Fear is associated with being a victim, or being weak, while anger has the power of a victor.   Similarly, hopelessness is associated with being fragile or dependent.  So, the more hopeless a person feels, the more that emotion may demonstrate itself as anger.  Betrayal, shame, jealousy, almost any emotion that has a negative impact on a person’s emotional state can be replaced by anger.  The effect is to feel the anger, rather than the true emotion.


Tuesday, July 3, 2012

Criminal Defense Attorney Lawrenceville

Question: If someone you know has fled the state because they got in trouble with the law for trying to have sex with a minor, and you tell police their new whereabouts, which are in Florida, and you tell the police their new phone number, can that person be found and go to jail in that state? Or, can nothing be done because they've fled the state?

Answer: The police only need to take a warrant, and then where ever the person is stopped he will be arrested and transported back to the state where the warrant was issued.

Answered By Lawrence Lewis - Criminal Defense Attorney Lawrenceville

How Do I find a mentor? Criminal Defense Attorney in Lawrenceville


I have attended a number of seminars since school formally ended in 1995.  I have repeatedly heard different speakers recommend that audience members seek out mentors.  While I suspect that it is widely accepted that acquiring a mentor is invaluable for gaining in-depth insight and experience in a particular area, I also expect that most people are like me in that they either: (1) do not want to pay for mentoring (if money is involved it starts to smell like tutoring, not mentoring); and/or (2) do not know where to begin their search for a mentor.  Some folks go to church for their guidance, but I have found that the pastor quoting First Peter, chapter 3, verse 7 [“likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them (wives) according to knowledge, giving honor unto the wife”] – does not help me gain any actual knowledge into how I need to conduct myself as a husband.  I continue to search for mentors in the five areas most germane to my life: 
  1. Transformational Growth
  2. Health 
  3. Finance and Money 
  4. Marriage  
  5. Child Rearing 

Sunday, July 1, 2012

Drug Defense Attorney Lawrenceville

Question: The Confidential Informant stated that it observed several people inside and outside the residence and that there was marijuana throughout the residence in plain view. For these reasons an other persons provision is requested. NO Knock Provision

....Does the fact that there were people or drugs present in a controlled buy justify a No Knock Warrant issued by the magistrate in Georgia?

Answer: This is a fascinating question for this reason. Let us assume that I vehemently maintain that the judge overstepped his discretion in signing a "no knock" warrant. What can you do with that information? Absolutely nothing. First, either there is no attorney on the case, in which case the law will not be argued by lay folks (i.e. non-lawyers). Or second, there is an attorney on the case and he/she does NOT know the law, which means my telling him/her the law is meaningless because he/she must still cite case law in order to defend his/her position

Armed robbery defense lawyer


In Georgia, robbery is defined as the taking of the property of another from the immediate presence of another, and is distinguished from other types of theft.  When Mr. X enters Ms. Y’s residence without her permission and removes her property without Ms. Y’s knowledge that is a burglary (O.C.G.A. § 16-7-1), not a robbery.  When Mr. X enters Ms. Y’s automobile without her permission and removes her property that is an entering auto (O.C.G.A. § 16-8-18), not a robbery.  When Mr. X, armed with a firearm or weapon, takes Ms. Y’s vehicle by force, or intimidation that is a hijacking of motor vehicle (O.C.G.A. § 16-5-44.1), and may also be an armed robbery.  Both armed robbery and hijacking a motor vehicle carry a mandatory minimum punishment of ten years in prison, but while hijacking carries a maximum punishment of twenty years in prison, armed robbery carries a maximum punishment of life in prison, which means thirty years in prison, before the defendant is eligible for parole.


In Georgia, there are four different types of robbery:

(1) Simple robbery (O.C.G.A. § 16-8-40(a)(1)) where one person takes the property of another from the immediate presence of another by use force;


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If you have been charged with an armed robbery and you would like to speak with a qualified criminal defense attorney, call an experienced armed robbery defense lawyer or attorney at Lawrence Lewis, P.C. today at (678) 407-9300. 

About Me

I hung a shingle in February 2000, because I saw that individuals charged with criminal offenses were being underserved by the attorneys practicing criminal law. Since February 2000, I have represented more than two thousand criminal clients. I only practice criminal law, but I do everything from violations of probation to Supreme Court appeals. There are few attorneys under the age of sixty that have my level of experience. I have tried more than two hundred major felony jury trials. I have tried more than fifty misdemeanor jury trials. In Philadelphia as a prosecutor, I tried more than two thousand bench trials. I have conducted more than three thousand preliminary hearings and bond hearings. Yet, I still have the energy at forty-five to serve my current clients. There is nothing that will occur in a courtroom that I have not experienced before. When you are looking for an attorney, experience is everything.