Laura Kuhl is a content editor, writer and social media manager with ten years of experience in the legal, finance, and insurance fields. She started her career as a movie review writer in Wilmington, NC, after earning her M.A. at the University of North Carolina at Wilmington. She is a featured legal and business writer on Free Advice and PotNetwork News.
Laura Kuhl
Laura Kuhl is a content editor, writer and social media manager with ten years of experience in the legal, finance, and insurance fields. She started her career as a movie review writer in Wilmington, NC, after earning her M.A. at the University of North Carolina at Wilmington. She is a featured legal and business writer on Free Advice and PotNetwork News.
Jeffrey Johnson has written novels and movies in addition to legal analyses of eminent domain and immigration law. His experience in writing engaging fiction makes him uniquely capable of making the most dry and academic legal topics interesting (or as interesting as possible).
Reviewed
Jeffrey Johnson, J.D.
Jeffrey Johnson has written novels and movies in addition to legal analyses of eminent domain and immigration law. His experience in writing engaging fiction makes him uniquely capable of making the most dry and academic legal topics interesting (or as interesting as possible).
Editorial Note: We earn a commission from partner links on Forbes Advisor. Commissions do not affect our editors' opinions or evaluations.
Whether you’re a die-hard Falcons fan or spend the summer at Truist Park cheering on the Braves, Atlanta’s sports scene offers an adrenaline rush. But criminal charges can bring on a different kind of rush you don’t want to celebrate.
Legal matters require strategic plays and seasoned professionals. Don’t leave your defense to chance. Hiring a skilled criminal defense lawyer in Atlanta puts someone in your corner to navigate the complex Georgia legal scene and provide crucial guidance when needed.
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Show Summary
- Best Atlanta Criminal Defense Attorneys
- Compare Top Atlanta Criminal Attorneys
- What Is a Criminal Defense Lawyer?
- Understanding the Legal Process for Criminal Cases
- Expungement in Georgia
- How to Choose the Best Criminal Lawyer in Atlanta, GA
- Atlanta Criminal Defense Resources
- Methodology for Finding the Best Atlanta Criminal Attorneys
- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Atlanta Criminal Defense Lawyers
Best Atlanta Criminal Defense Attorneys
Compare Top Atlanta Criminal Attorneys
What Is a Criminal Defense Lawyer?
Do you need a lawyer? If you’re facing criminal charges, hiring a private attorney or using a public defender can greatly increase your chances of avoiding jail time.
A defense attorney represents you at trial, presenting evidence and cross-examining witnesses, but how an attorney performs outside the courtroom is equally important. When you hire a criminal defense lawyer in Atlanta, you get access to their network of legal and professional connections. Your attorney will use their expertise to explore all possible outcomes with you and work in your best interest to reduce or dismiss charges.
Public Defender vs. Private Criminal Attorney
Public defenders and private attorneys are both licensed to practice law in Georgia. The main difference is that public defenders work for the state, county or city and are assigned to defendants by the court.
In Georgia, any adult or juvenile accused of a felony or misdemeanor crime has the right to an attorney. If you cannot afford a private criminal attorney, apply to request a public defender to represent you. A judge will determine if you qualify based on income.
Public defenders handle multiple cases simultaneously, often carrying bigger caseloads than private attorneys, who are self-employed and can choose which clients to represent. For this reason, private attorneys have more time and resources to investigate your case, ultimately leading to better outcomes for clients.
Should You Represent Yourself in a Criminal Case?
Georgia law guarantees legal counsel to anyone accused of a crime, so there’s no need to represent yourself at trial. However, you’re not required to use a public defender or hire an attorney—you can represent yourself if you choose.
Is it a good idea to represent yourself in court? Generally, no. At trial, you’ll expose yourself to prosecution lawyers with years of experience arguing in front of juries and negotiating plea bargains. But working with a defense attorney means you can anticipate the prosecution’s approach and strategize multiple ways to prove your innocence and protect your rights.
Understanding the Legal Process for Criminal Cases
After you’re arrested, the police bring you to jail and formally book you with charges. At this time, your case file detailing the crime and your personal information goes to the prosecuting attorney.
If the prosecution decides to move forward with your case, you can expect:
- Arrest and jail time. How long you stay in jail depends on the charges. You can wait up to 48 to 72 hours before your preliminary hearing.
- Preliminary hearing. This is your initial court appearance, where you enter into a plea of guilty or not guilty. The judge will ask if you want a public defender if you don’t have an attorney.
- Posting bond. The judge will set a bond at the preliminary hearing. You must post money or property you forfeit if you don’t appear for trial.
- Plea negotiation. Your attorney may meet with the prosecution before trial to negotiate or dismiss your charges but cannot agree to a plea bargain without your consent.
- Trial. You have the right to a jury or bench trial in Georgia, and your defense attorney can advise you on the best way to approach your case.
Resolving a Criminal Case in Georgia
A not-guilty verdict or dismissal of charges is the best possible outcome for a criminal case. However, you may still be responsible for court and attorney fees even after winning your case.
If you’re found guilty, the judge will schedule another hearing for sentencing, during which your attorney can negotiate a reduced sentence. For instance, they may be able to argue for probation instead of prison time based on the charges and their criminal record.
You have the right to appeal a Georgia court’s ruling, and you’ll also have the opportunity to shorten a prison sentence with parole. The State Board of Pardons and Paroles will consider your application once you serve one-third of your sentence. Reach out to a local defense attorney to learn more about your options.
Expungement in Georgia
Expungement is the legal removal of a convicted defendant’s criminal record. In Georgia, it’s known as “record restriction.” Criminal records aren’t deleted or removed but are sealed when applying for jobs, housing or licenses. Records can still be accessed by judicial agencies.
A record may be restricted only if one of the following is true:
- It was a qualifying felony that was pardoned
- It was a qualifying felony that happened while the person was a victim of human trafficking
- It was a qualifying misdemeanor (up to two per lifetime can be restricted)
A restriction is not available if you were convicted of another crime in the four years before you applied for a restriction. If convicted of a misdemeanor, you must complete your sentence before you apply.
Arrests that never resulted in a charge are automatically restricted.
Not all convictions are eligible for restriction, including violent felonies and misdemeanors that led to bodily harm or injury, and repeat offenders cannot apply.
Start the process by reaching out to the prosecuting attorney on your case. If you were arrested before July 1, 2013, contact the agency that processed your arrest.
How to Choose the Best Criminal Lawyer in Atlanta, GA
A little research goes a long way when seeking the right legal representation. Research case results, practice areas and hourly rates before meeting an attorney to determine if they’re worth your time. It’s also important to ask family and friends to recommend a lawyer they trust.
Take advantage of free consultations to discuss options with an attorney. You may have to schedule a few before finding someone you like, so look out for a criminal defense attorney with the following traits to speed up the process:
- Client-centered approach. The best attorney is accessible and quick to return your messages. They approach your case with empathy and are willing to tailor their strategies to meet your needs.
- Impressive track record. A successful track record for winning cases like yours is a strong indicator of a lawyer’s competence. You can have peace of mind knowing your attorney consistently achieves favorable results for their clients.
- Great reputation. You want a credible and capable defense lawyer to represent you in court. Look for an attorney with a great reputation, not just among clients but judges and prosecutors, too.
Atlanta Criminal Defense Resources
Key Atlanta criminal resources you may want to access include:
- Criminal History Check Request: (404) 546-4491
- Police Report Request: (404) 546-7461
- Atlanta Municipal Court: (404) 954-7914
- Atlanta Public Defender’s Office: (404) 658-6838
- Atlanta Pretrial Detention Center: (404) 865-8001
- Atlanta Police Department Non-Emergency Number: (404) 658-6666
- Fulton County Superior Court: (404) 613-5313
- Fulton County Public Defender’s Office: (404) 612-5200
Methodology for Finding the Best Atlanta Criminal Attorneys
To come up with the criminal defense lawyers in Atlanta of 2024, Forbes Advisor considered many factors. Forbes Advisor’s mathematical analysis considers and weighs the information collected to calculate a specific rating and reviews these results to find the best attorneys in a given practice area.
Within the model, we take into account factors that legal professionals and consumers value in an attorney’s qualifications. After assigning weighted scores to hundreds of data points, we narrowed the field down to our top choices based on:
- Legal experience
- Special licenses and certifications
- Ethics and bar disciplinary measures
- Legal thought leadership
- Education and employment background
- Scholarly lectures and writings
- Awards and honors
Forbes Advisor collects public data from a variety of sources, including state bar associations, court records and other published sources on the internet. This information should not be considered comprehensive, however. It might not include additional relevant information on an attorney’s legal skills and experience.
Each lawyer listed here has their own merits. Bear in mind that our list relates to these lawyers’ legal backgrounds but does not evaluate their personalities or their knowledge of the law. One attorney may be more suitable than another for your specific legal situation.
One thing that can’t be quantified, though, is the rapport you establish with your attorney. Personality goes a long way when teaming up with an attorney, especially when going through a potentially difficult legal situation. These rankings should serve as a reference and potential starting point in your search for the right lawyer for you and your legal concerns.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Atlanta Criminal Defense Lawyers
How much does a criminal defense lawyer in Atlanta cost?
Atlanta criminal defense attorneys often charge by the hour, and the average hourly rate is between $100 and $500. Some attorneys will charge a flat rate for certain charges, usually DUIs. To save money, look for an attorney who offers a free consultation to discuss your case.
How much is a public defender in Georgia?
The court may assess a $50 fee to process your application for a public defender and impose additional lawyer fees at sentencing. However, these fees can be waived based on hardship.
What is the difference between a lawyer and an attorney in Georgia?
A lawyer and an attorney are the same thing. A lawyer graduated from law school with a Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree. Once a lawyer is admitted to practice law by passing the state bar exam, they become an attorney. Only an attorney can represent you in court and offer legal advice and guidance. It’s illegal for a lawyer to practice law in Georgia without passing the state bar examination or otherwise becoming licensed to practice in Georgia.
