Jenkins County GA Criminal Attorney

If you have been arrested in Jenkins County, GA, you need a Millen, GA criminal attorney who is experienced in Georgia law and criminal procedure. Criminal charges can range from misdemeanors to felonies, with misdemeanors generally carrying lighter sentences than felonies. Some offenses may escalate to felony status based on prior criminal history, while others are automatically classified as felonies, even for first-time offenders. The type and severity of the crime often determine whether it is filed as a misdemeanor or felony.

Millen, GA criminal attorney Simon Peed has extensive experience representing clients facing both misdemeanor and felony charges. For example, while a first-time DUI in Georgia is typically a misdemeanor, it can be elevated to a felony if an accident occurred that resulted in injury or death. Similarly, some felony charges may be reduced to misdemeanors after a thorough, defense-oriented investigation and presentation of evidence during plea negotiations.

Police investigations often focus on gathering evidence that supports the prosecution’s case. A defense-oriented investigation, however, seeks evidence to both prove your innocence and challenge the State’s claims. One example of this is an alibi defense, which demonstrates that you could not have committed the crime because you were not present at the time it occurred. For instance, in a sexual assault case, an alibi may show that you were out of state for work or other valid reasons at the time of the incident.

Another critical aspect of a defense-oriented investigation is identifying evidence that disproves any element of the State’s case. The State must prove each element of the charged offense beyond a reasonable doubt. If they fail to prove even one element, you should be acquitted. For example, in a Georgia DUI case, the State must prove:

1. You
2. Were in actual physical control
3. Of a moving vehicle
4. In Georgia
5. While: a. You had an illegal blood alcohol content; b. Were under the influence of alcohol or drugs to the extent you were incapable of safely operating the vehicle; or c. You had any amount of illegal drugs in your system.

Your Millen, GA criminal attorney does not need to disprove all these elements. The jury only needs reasonable doubt about one element for you to be found not guilty. For example, if the jury believes that you were driving a vehicle in Georgia but does not believe any of the criteria under point five, then you should be acquitted.

Contact Millen, GA criminal attorney Simon Peed for a confidential case evaluation regarding any misdemeanor or felony charge. He will help you understand the nature of the charges against you, how your case is likely to progress through the court system, and which defenses may be most effective in your situation. Reach out to Simon Peed today for experienced and dedicated legal representation.