Dekalb County Attorney

Dekalb County Attorney with man signing a document

If you have been charged with a crime, you may need to call a Dekalb County attorney right away to ensure that your constitutional rights are protected against overzealous prosecutors and law enforcement officers.

The Lynch Law Group is a Dekalb County attorney representing people who have been charged with a broad range of state or federal offenses. Guided by decades of experience and a passionate drive to protect clients’ rights, The Lynch Law Group crafts strong arguments that get results. As a respected attorney in Dekalb County, we take pride in our ability to offer prospective clients an honest, straightforward assessment of their case. For a free consultation, please call our law firm now.

Why You May Need a Dekalb County Attorney

Facing a criminal offense is a serious matter that should not be taken lightly. A Dekalb County attorney realizes that the penalties typically associated with such offenses are often significant and carry repercussions such as jail time and large fines. The ramifications of permanent criminal record may also be a possibility, affecting many aspects of your personal and professional life.

The collateral consequences of a criminal conviction can affect a person’s ability to obtain employment. It can even be difficult to find a place to live, as many landlords do not want to rent to tenants who have a criminal record. A person may even be barred from certain government benefits, such as student loans or housing assistance.

A criminal conviction can affect child custody cases, especially if the conviction was for a violent crime, such as domestic abuse.

A conviction may also result in the loss of certain legal privileges, including the right to drive or the right to own a firearm. A criminal conviction can also affect the outcome of sentencing for any subsequent convictions.

For these reasons, you should seek the advice of a Dekalb County attorney as soon as possible to begin preparing your defense.

 

Dekalb County Attorney Infographic

Why You Shouldn't Talk To The Police Infographic

The Importance of Constructing a Strong Defense

When you have been charged with a crime, there are various laws that a good attorney in Dekalb County may be able to use as a possible safeguard or defense. One of these laws is the burden of proof. The burden rests in the hands of police and prosecutors; it requires them to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that a crime was committed, and that the defendant is the person who committed it.

A skilled Dekalb County attorney may also investigate a case to ensure that a defendant’s rights were not violated. Some of the most common violations of a defendant by law enforcement are the protections offered by the Fourth Amendment. This amendment protects citizens against illegal search and seizure. A search can only be conducted with a warrant or upon probable cause. Your attorney may examine whether or not the evidence seized in your case was obtained legally by police.

In many cases where the evidence is excluded because it was not obtained legally by police, the criminal charges are also dismissed because there is no other evidence – or not enough other evidence – to warrant the charges.

Another reason why a case may be dismissed is that the defendant’s Fifth Amendment rights were violated. This amendment protects citizens from self-incrimination and requires police to read a person their rights (also referred to as Miranda Rights) before they can take a statement for a person they have arrested. There have been many “confessions” thrown out by a judge because the person who confessed was never given their rights or were coerced into making that confession. This amendment is also what protects a defendant from not having to testify at their own trial.

The Fifth Amendment also protects citizens from double jeopardy. This means that if your case goes to trial and you are found not guilty, prosecutors cannot try you again for the same alleged crime.

As explained above, a Dekalb County attorney may work diligently to provide evidence that contradicts any possible proof. An attorney might also use other defense tactics, such as a rights violation or lack of probable cause, to have charges reduced or dropped. In general, when rules, and regulations are not adhered to by police or the prosecutors, relevant evidence may not be used against you in the court of law.

Understanding Your Options with a Dekalb County Attorney

At the law firm of The Lynch Law Group, we have had a number of successes in fighting charges based upon substantive or procedural grounds. As an attorney who cares, The Lynch Law Group understands the stressors and anxiety that can arise in a defendant and their loved ones. We work tirelessly to resolve these legal matters on appropriate terms, and without delay. If you need help in fighting any of the following state or federal charges, please contact our law firm:

  • DUI Defense
  • Misdemeanor Defense
  • Felony Defense
  • Drug Defense
  • Violent Crime Defense
  • Federal Criminal Defense
  • Money Laundering
  • White Collar Crime Charges
  • Sex Crimes
  • Murder, Assault, Battery
  • Illegal Search & Seizure
  • Probation & Parole
  • Criminal Appeals
  • Habeas Corpus
  • Juvenile Criminal Defense
  • Bond / Bail Hearing
  • Pre-Charge Investigations
  • + More

Contact an Aggressive Dekalb County Attorney Today

If you are being investigated for a crime – or have already been charged – the quicker you contact a Dekalb County attorney, the quicker your legal team can begin building your defense.

The Lynch Law Group recognizes the importance of fully comprehending each client’s situation. Through this mindset, we aim to assist in the protection of your rights and let you know what your options may be during every step of the legal process. He has been named to “Georgia’s Top Rated Lawyers” each year for the past five years and has been awarded the status of “AV Preeminent,” which is the highest rating possible. For the past four straight years in a row, Attorney Lynch has been recognized as one of the Top 100 Criminal Defense Attorneys in Georgia by The National Trial Lawyers. He was also named as a “Super Lawyers Rising Star” in 2015 and 2016, a distinction awarded to only 2.5 percent of the Georgia Bar.

To speak with a Dekalb County attorney, please call The Lynch Law Group, at (404) 373-7735.

FAQ: Will I Have To Go To Jail for a DUI?

If you were arrested for DUI, we encourage you to contact a Dekalb County Attorney our DUI lawyer immediately. To prevent automatically losing your driving privileges, you must complete certain steps within a limited amount of time. A Dekalb County attorney from The Lynch Law Group can guide you through this process. In fact, we can help protect your rights from the very start. Without quality legal counsel, the likelihood of a positive conclusion is much less likely. We may even be able to get your charges dropped. Call a Dekalb County attorney at The Lynch Law Group for a consultation and do not delay.

If you were arrested for DUI then you have already spent some time in jail. Unfortunately, the time you spent in jail prior to sentencing does not count toward any time you might be sentenced upon a conviction. However, a Dekalb County attorney will make every effort to gain you a dismissal of your charge or else a reduction of your charge.

Do all DUI convictions result in the same amount of jail time?

The short answer is no, they are not all the same. There are several criteria that the Judge will consider, and a Dekalb County attorney can review the relevant variables with you after a review of your case. During the legal process your lawyer from The Lynch Law Group will make every effort to get your charges dropped or reduced. If possible, your Dekalb County attorney will negotiate with the court to sentence you to probation instead of a jail or prison term. One of the factors that the court considers is how many DUIs you have been convicted of in the past. Unless your DUI lawyer is able to reduce the amount of time to be served, you may be faced with one of the following sentences:

  • 1st DUI conviction: from 48 hours to six months.
  • 2nd DUI conviction: from 96 hours to one year.
  • 3rd DUI conviction: from four months to one year.
  • 4th DUI conviction: from six months to three years.

If Someone Was Injured or Died, How Will That Affect my DUI Conviction?

If you are held responsible for the injury or death of someone while you were DUI, this will affect the outcome of your case. This is especially true in terms of your sentencing. These guidelines vary by circumstances, including the state’s laws regarding DUI related injuries and fatalities. A Dekalb County attorney from The Lynch Law Group can clarify the following for you based on your circumstances:

  • Vehicular manslaughter: Four years in state prison, with a maximum of 10 years in prison if you exhibited extreme recklessness in leading up to the fatal accident.
  • DUI with injury: Three years in state prison, plus another year for every additional person you injured. If there were a number of victims, you might receive three additional years per victim.

Talk to an Experienced DUI Attorney in Dekalb County Who Can Protect Your Rights

When someone is charged with a DUI, their entire future may be at stake. A DUI conviction can result in a long prison term as well as expensive fines. With the help of a skilled DUI lawyer from The Lynch Law Group, you may be able to avoid those outcomes—contact us today and request a consultation.

Why You Shouldn’t Talk to the Police

After you have been charged with a crime, the police will likely ask to speak to you about your case. Unfortunately, many people make the mistake of doing so. Here are several reasons why you should never talk to the police without a Dekalb County attorney present.

  • You Can’t Talk Your Way Out of an Arrest

    Some people mistakenly assume that they can talk their way out of a charge if they just explain to the police why they are innocent. This will not work. No matter what the police say to you, they can’t help you. Police don’t have the power to drop charges. Only prosecuting attorneys can do that. Therefore, there is absolutely no benefit to talking to the police.

  • You Could Share too Much

    As a Dekalb County attorney can attest, there have been many suspects who have gotten into legal hot water by sharing too much information with the police. For example, let’s say you’re a suspect in a murder. You didn’t commit the crime, but mention to the police that you have been angry with the victim for some time. In this case, the police may think that you had motive for murder.

  • You Could Tell a White Lie

    Even if you are completely innocent of the crime you’re accused of, you could still tell a white lie while talking to the police. For example, if you are being questioned about a murder, you deny everything. You even deny being in the area at the time of the crime. However, you were actually in the area the time the murder. If the police discover the white like, they could use it against in court to make you seem less credible

  • Police May Not Recall Your Statement Accurately

    Even if you’re innocent and tell the truth, there is a chance the police may not remember what you exactly said. They may say something that completely contradicts your statement, destroying your credibility. Although you can take the witness stand and tell the jury you never said that, they might not believe you. They may take the police officer’s word over yours.

If the police ask to talk to you about your case, you should politely decline. Tell them that you can’t make any statements without your Dekalb County attorney present. After that, they must leave you alone.