Criminal Defense Attorney in Lawrenceville

Question:  I did a Pre-Trial Intervention Program in 2001 and then I had my record expunged in FL, which I have documentation of. I was informed by my lawyer in FL that basically means the state dropped the case after completion of the program, which I did. In GA which would be eqivalent to FL Pre-trial Intervention Program? The 1st Offender Treatment without Adjudication of guilt or the Pretrial Deversion? Would I have to answer yes to any of them because my record is expunged?

Answer: The GA equivalent is the pre-trial diversion (PTD) program, where your record is expunged. First offender, does not expunged your criminal record. If the questionis asked have you ever been arrested, you might want to say yes, especially if you have taken 1st offender, nolo or Alford plea. 

Answered By Lawrence Lewis - Criminal Defense Attorney in Lawrenceville

Violent Crime Attorney in Lawrenceville

A violent crime is a criminal offense that is committed with the use of violence, or with threats of violence.  When a person commits a violent crime, the violence is usually just a means to an end.  In recent years, violent crimes have escalated in the state of Georgia, especially amongst the adolescent, male demographic.  In hopes of decreasing instances of violent crimes, law enforcement and legislation has become very strict when dealing with violent crime offenders.  People who are convicted of committing a violent crime should expect to spend substantial time in prison, in addition to paying fines, paying restitution and performing community service.  For these reasons, it is very important to consult a violent crimes lawyer when facing criminal charges involving violence.   

The violent crimes defense attorneys and lawyers at Lawrence Lewis, P.C. are dedicated to defending clients who have been arrested for or charged with any type of violent crime in or around the metro-Atlanta area.  According to the law, numerous illegal acts are categorized as violent crimes in the state of Georgia: 

• Armed Robbery (see Armed Robbery page)

• Arson

• Aggravated Assault

• Aggravated Child Molestation (see Sexual Offenses page)   

• Kidnapping 

• Rape (see Sexual Offenses page) 

• Voluntary Manslaughter (see Murder – Homicide page) 

• Murder (see Murder – Homicide page)  

Because many of the aforementioned violent crimes are so important that they are addressed individually on other pages on the website, we will limit this discussion to two violent crimes: Aggravated Assault and Kidnapping. 

Hire a Violent Crime Attorney in Lawrenceville

Theft Defense Attorney in Lawrenceville

Question: My Brother is being charged with theft by taking, from a company($5,000 +) that he resigned from. He informed the company that he was guilty and wishes to pay them back immediately. How should he go about doing so, and how can he guarantee that the charges will be dropped, if at all?

Answer: He cannot guarantee that the charges are dropped. I would advise him to retain an attorney, but if he wants to repay the money first, then he repays the money. Recognize: His repayment of the money is an admission. Good luck.

Answered By Lawrence Lewis - Theft Defense Attorney in Lawrenceville

Best Drug Attorney in Lawrenceville

Federal and state drug possession laws make it a crime to knowingly and willfully possess illegal controlled substances such as marijuana, methamphetamine, cocaine, LSD, and heroin. These laws also criminalize the possession of "precursor" chemicals used in drug cultivation and manufacturing, as well as certain accessories related to drug use.  Drug possession laws vary according to drug type and amount of the drug.  Possession of small quantities may be deemed “simple” possession (O.C.G.A. § 16-13-30(a)), while possession of larger amounts may result in a charge of possession with intent to distribute (O.C.G.A. § 16-13-30(b)) or trafficking (O.C.G.A. § 16-13-31). 

 

Drug crimes spring from a wide variety of fact patterns.  At Lawrence Lewis, P.C., we have represented people who have been accused of growing, selling, producing, importing, delivering, possessing and trafficking drugs.  The drugs involved in these cases have included cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine, ecstasy and marijuana.  In addition, in recent years, law enforcement and prosecutors have begun to rely on wire taps and other clandestine surveillance techniques to apprehend and prosecute individuals suspected of involvement in the drug trade.  The use of wire taps has added great complexity to the defense of individuals accused of drug offenses, and overwhelmed most novice criminal defense attorneys.  Few attorneys have handled as many wiretap cases as Lawrence Lewis. Click here to hire the best drug attorney in Lawrenceville

Drug Case Attorneys Gwinnett County

Question: I have a second possession of meth charge court date coming up, and i served 9 months in jail before i made bond. will i get credit for time served, and could i get time served for the 9 months if the offer is a 5year do 2 year recomendation, and not have to serve any more time?

Answer: You will get credit for the time that you have served. The judge is free to give you a sentence of 5 to do 2 years with credit for the 9 months, commuted to time-served. You may not have to do anymore time. Are those the real questions? Because you know the judge can give you two years of probation. Conversely, under the law for the 2nd meth possession charge the judge must sentence you to not less than 5 years, and can sentence you up to 30 years. I assume you don't want to talk or think about the 30 years. I advice you to get an attorney rather than hope for the best, but I will be here IF it goes sideways to try and undo the horrible sentence.

Answered By Lawrence Lewis - Criminal Defense Attorneys Lawrenceville, Drug Case Attorneys Gwinnett County

DEPOSIT ACCOUNT FRAUD – FORGERY – FINANCIAL IDENTITY FRAUD

 

In these tough economic times, some folks have acted in desperation, writing checks for goods and services either hoping there will be enough money to cover the check, or worse, knowing there is not enough money in their accounts to cover the checks.  Most don’t realize that writing a bad check is a criminal offense, and that more and more businesses receiving those bad checks are pursuing criminal warrants.  Unlike violent crime (e.g. armed robbery, aggravated battery), “paper crimes” are often viewed as less serious offenses.  Nonetheless, prosecutors are recommending, and judges are handing out, steep penalties, including substantial jail time for individuals convicted of paper crimes.  Often times the severity of the sentence depends on: (1) the criminal offense at issue; (2) the number of prior convictions for paper crimes; and (3) the amount of money involved.

 

First, there are a number of different “paper crimes,” including:

 

(1) Identity Fraud (O.C.G.A. § 16-9-121(a)) is defined as willfully and fraudulently (1) without authorization or consent, using or possessing with intent to fraudulently use, identifying info concerning a person; (2) using identifying info of an individual under 18 over whom the accused exercises custodial authority; (3) using or possessing with intent to fraudulently use identifying info of a deceased individual; (4) creating, using, or possessing with intent to fraudulently use any counterfeit or fictitious identifying info concerning a fictitious person; or (5) creating, using, or possessing with intent to fraudulently use any counterfeit or fictitious identifying info concerning a real person.    

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Bond Defense Attorney in Lawrenceville

Question: If i signed a bond for someone to get out of jail and the missed court and the bounty hunters are looking for them and instead of them going to the bounty hunters they went and turned themselves in without the bounty hunters can they bounty hunters do anything to me or the defendant now that he is in jail

Answer: Now that the person is in jail, the bondsman will come off the bond, and you should have no further obligation.

Answered By Lawrence Lewis - Bond Defense Attorney in Lawrenceville