Aggressive Defense For Those Charged With Felonies In Georgia
Determining whether your criminal charges are for felonies or misdemeanors is vital because of the differences in penalties as well as future negative repercussions.
The Official Code of Georgia defines felonies as crimes that are punishable by death or by imprisonment for life or for at least a year. It further defines “forcible felonies” as those offenses that involve physical force or threats of violence. The code classifies crimes as misdemeanors when they do not meet the criteria of felonies. In addition, under Georgia law all traffic offenses are also misdemeanors and punishable by incarceration in the county jail.
Examples of felonies are violent crimes such as murder, rape, kidnapping, arson, aggravated assault, burglary, and robbery. Additional considerations are as follows:
- Some crimes that are typically labeled misdemeanors, such as stalking, may be classified as felonies when there has been a prior conviction or court order to stay away.
- When a weapon is involved, a crime that might otherwise be classified as a misdemeanor becomes a felony charge. Aggravated assault is an example.
- Nonviolent felonies include conspiracy and varieties of theft, including certain white collar crimes and internet-based crimes.
For an attorney’s analysis of the criminal charges that you are facing, turn to the Harmony Legal Associates, LLC.
Why Is A Felony So Serious?
A prison sentence is a harsher punishment than a short time in jail. Even after the penalty phase is over, a felony conviction will likely have long-term consequences such as the ineligibility to vote, or carry weapons, loss of employment, loss of status or the ability to become a U.S. citizen, deportation, or loss of a professional license. Your life’s path and goals will determine which repercussions of a felony conviction may hit you the hardest.
What you do need to know is that you do not have to just accept whatever criminal charges a prosecutor brings against you. A skilled and determined defense attorney may persuade a prosecutor, judge or jury to lower your charges from felony to misdemeanor level – or dismiss them altogether.
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Learn about ways to increase the chances of getting your felony criminal charges reduced or dismissed. Call 770-709-5955 or send an email inquiry.