Criminal Lawyer Decatur GA
Why You Should Retain a Decatur Criminal Lawyer
If you were charged with a felony, it may be in your best interest to speak to a criminal lawyer Decatur GA depends on. A felony can negatively affect your life in many ways and an experienced lawyer, such as The Lynch Law Group, may help get your charges reduced or dismissed. Our staff has seen a number of criminal cases and can work around your schedule in order to proceed with your case. We can be in contact with you by email or phone, so call us today for a free consultation.
When looking for an experienced criminal lawyer Decatur, GA citizens can trust, there are a number of things you will want to take into consideration. One of the crucial steps you should take is to read through the reviews and testimonials. This provides key information such as the work ethic, determination, and how personable the staff is. We can provide you with a criminal lawyer in Decatur, Georgia who can meet your expectations and provide you with a hospitable and knowledgeable character. Our testimonials include appraisals such as:
- Professional;
- Determined;
- Prompt;
- Dependable; and
- Dedicated.
While it’s not possible to guarantee outcomes in a case, it is important to know how certain outcomes may affect your future. A conviction — especially a felony conviction — could negatively impact your life for years to come. Here are some of the consequences you may face for having a felony on your record and how a criminal lawyer Decatur, GA employs can help:
Fewer Employment Opportunities
A felony may drastically reduce your employment opportunities in the future. Some employers don’t trust candidates with criminal records and may hire individuals with clean records instead. If you hire an experienced criminal lawyer in Decatur, GA to represent you, he or she may be able to get your charge reduced to a misdemeanor, which could be very beneficial when you’re looking for a new job. Depending on the severity of the charge, and if it is your first offense, a Decatur criminal lawyer may even be able to get the charge dismissed from your file, which may not cause any problems during your future job hunt.
Fewer Housing Options
You may also have fewer housing options if you are convicted of a felony. Some landlords are wary of renting apartments to felons. They may worry that felons will have little respect for the property or bring criminal activity into the area. If you work with a reputable criminal lawyer Decatur, GA trusts, he or she may help you get your charge reduced or dropped so that you have more housing options.
Trouble with International Travel
A felony on your record may also make it difficult to travel to other countries. Some countries prohibit individuals with criminal records from obtaining visas. If you have an interest in exploring other countries, this may be a huge detriment. A criminal lawyer Decatur, GA respects may be able to get your charge dropped so you can have the opportunity to travel internationally when you want. Certain countries label passports with a certain marker in order for airport employees and officers to see. They may not allow someone with this marker through security, or into another country, depending on the crime they have been convicted of.
Criminal Offenses
Along with the consequences listed above, a criminal charge against you can have significant penalties. A criminal lawyer Decatur, GA provides can help you through this process, but there may still be costs due to your actions. From a misdemeanor to a capital felony, below are some punishments that may ensue.
- Fines;
- Community service work;
- Having your license suspended;
- Jail time;
- Life in prison; and
- The death penalty.
From minor to major consequences, we can work your case from all angles and help you receive the least damaging of outcomes. It requires your full cooperation and honesty to do so, but a criminal lawyer Decatur, GA offers through our firm can do the hard work for you in order to give your case the greatest chance. We understand how damaging a criminal offense can be on your record. Besides making it harder for future employment, fewer housing options, and making it difficult to travel, it places a burden on your family as well. This is something people do not take into consideration when going through with their actions.
Helping a Friend Who Has Been Arrested
A Decatur criminal lawyer knows that no one wants to get a call from a friend, or loved one, who has been arrested and is in jail. However, it can happen, and when, or if it does it is important that you know how to handle the situation. As a leading criminal defense lawyer in Decatur, GA, we receive calls from concerned loved ones who have gotten a call from someone who they care about, in jail. It is our goal to assist them as best as possible and to find a solution to the problem. In general, we recommend the following:
Remain Calm
Your friend will likely be upset, desperate, and even scared while in jail. It is important to offer them reassurance that they are not alone; nor, will you abandon them. Let them know you are working to find them a criminal defense lawyer in Decatur as quickly as possible. Helping your friend also means to encourage them to remain silent. They should do this until they have a lawyer at their side. It is highly recommended that they do not discuss their case or whether they are guilty with anyone – be it police or another inmate. This same rule applies to when they might use the phone in jail. These phone calls are typically recorded and can be used against the defendant by the prosecutor. When police question them, your friend should say: “I would like to respectfully decline in answering any questions. I want to speak with a criminal defense lawyer.”
Do Not Delay in Contacting a Decatur, GA Criminal Lawyer
When it comes to a criminal charge, there is a lot at stake. You can count on the police and prosecutors to build a case against your friend; therefore, a Decatur criminal defense lawyer should be at their side as soon as possible. One of the most important things you can do is to ask the police, or your friend, where they are being held. Depending on what is going on, a criminal defense lawyer may be able to hastily move to the facility and demand speaking to their client (i.e your friend). Police must inform detained suspects that their lawyer has arrived even if an interrogation is going on.
Find Your Friend
If you have only learned about the arrest of your friend from a third party, it is crucial you locate them. You may be able to use your local government website or call your local police department (not their emergency line). Bear in mind that government websites can take time to be updated, so it’s possible that you won’t see the person online even though they are at the facility in question.
Be sure to have as much information about your friend as possible; their full name, date of birth, alternative names, gender, race, and so forth. In general, a person will be held at the nearest precinct to the nearest location.
Know the Charges
If you plan on helping your friend post a bond, you will need to know their charges. You can ask your friend or the police whether a charging instrument has been written. This is a document that details the exact alleged crime. If your friend has a high money bond, a bail bondsman may be able to help. There are significant financial and physical risks associated with these agencies; therefore, talking with a criminal defense lawyer first may be a good idea.
If the bond cannot be posted, your friend may need some help to make arrangements in jail. For example, you might need to provide the jail or the criminal defense lawyer with any prescriptions they need or small pocket money for purchases from the jail store (i.e. snacks, toothpaste, etc.). You might also want to contact your friend’s school, work, or other people/places to inform them of the absence. Be sure rent and utilities are paid to avoid unnecessary problems.
Hiring a Criminal Lawyer in Decatur, GA
It is important to hire a Decatur criminal lawyer as soon as possible after you have been arrested for a felony. He or she may thoroughly review your case and determine the best way to move forward. Be completely honest with your lawyer and offer as many details as possible about your case. The more your lawyer knows about your case, the better he or she may assist you.
We can provide you with a criminal lawyer Decatur, GA can count on and one who can prepare your case for trial, even if it does not make it to court. This way, we can see the case from every angle, work every side, and hopefully have the best outcome for your case. Call us today for a free consultation to see if we are the right match for you.
Also, do not hesitate to ask a criminal lawyer Decatur, GA counts on questions about his or her experience. You may want to find out how many cases similar to yours he or she has dealt with in the past; this may help you determine if the lawyer has enough experience to help you with your case.
Many criminal lawyers, such as The Lynch Law Group, offer free initial consultations. You have nothing to lose by talking to one about your case. If you are searching for a criminal lawyer Decatur, GA offers, contact The Lynch Law Group at (404) 373-7735.
