Facing serious felony charges can change your life in many ways. The Cumming serious felonies lawyers at Speights Law know how serious these cases are and will work to build a strong defense for you.
The legal system is complex and challenging to handle, but you don’t have to take on your case alone. Our Cumming criminal defense lawyers offer aggressive representation and over 120 years of combined experience we put to use as we protect your rights and future.
We can represent you now, even if you are under investigation and haven’t been charged. Start with a confidential consultation today.
What is a Serious Felony in Georgia?
Serious felonies in Georgia are crimes that involve significant harm, violence, or a high level of danger to individuals or the community. These include offenses such as:
- Murder: The intentional killing of another person is one of the most serious crimes and can result in life imprisonment or the death penalty.
- Rape: Non-consensual sexual acts carry severe penalties, including lengthy prison sentences and mandatory registration as a sex offender. Our Cumming sex crimes defense lawyers handle these cases.
- Armed robbery: Taking property from another person using a weapon or the threat of violence often results in mandatory prison time.
- Aggravated assault: This crime involves attacking someone with the intent to cause serious bodily harm or using a deadly weapon during the attack.
Other crimes like kidnapping, drug trafficking, and certain types of burglary can also qualify as serious felonies, depending on the circumstances.
The Stakes of a Serious Felony Conviction
Because these offenses are considered extremely harmful and dangerous, Georgia law treats them with the highest level of severity. Convictions for serious felonies often result in:
- Long prison sentences: Many serious felonies carry mandatory minimum sentences, leaving little room for leniency.
- Heavy fines: Offenders may face substantial financial penalties.
- Permanent criminal record: A felony conviction remains on your record for life, affecting job opportunities, housing, and personal relationships.
- Additional penalties: For certain crimes, such as those involving sex offenses or firearms, offenders may face extra restrictions, such as being listed in the Georgia Sex Offender Registry or losing their right to own firearms.
Understanding the consequences is important if you are facing a serious felony charge. Even being accused of a serious felony can disrupt your life in unexpected ways. If you are facing allegations, we can explain your rights and next steps. Call us today for a consultation.
Our Cumming Serious Felony Criminal Lawyers will Fight for You
At Speights Law, we will defend you if you are facing serious felony charges. Our team will support you every step of the way, offering full legal support as we take care of your entire case.
You can expect all the following when you work with our team:
Careful Case Investigation
We start by investigating your case in detail. This includes reviewing police reports, talking to witnesses, and examining evidence. We look for mistakes in the prosecution’s case or evidence that supports your defense.
Building a Strong Defense
Using the information we find, we create a defense plan that fits your situation. This might include proving you were not involved, showing the accusations are false, or pointing out errors in how evidence was collected.
Challenging the Evidence
We carefully examine the prosecution’s evidence and may challenge its accuracy or reliability. For example, we might argue that certain evidence should not be used because it was collected improperly or is not trustworthy.
Negotiating Plea Deals
If a trial is not the best option, we can negotiate with the prosecution to try to lower the charges or reduce the penalties. Our experience with the local courts helps us work toward favorable agreements when possible.
Defending You in Court
If your case goes to trial, our Cumming serious felony charges lawyers will fight for you in court. We will question witnesses, present evidence, and argue your case to seek the best possible outcome, whether that is an acquittal or reduced penalties.
Leading Your Appeal
If you’ve been convicted of a serious felony, the fight isn’t over. Our team can evaluate your options for appealing a criminal conviction in Georgia. As we guide you through the process, we will identify legal errors or other issues that may have affected your case’s outcome.
Focused on Your Future
A serious felony conviction can change your life, but we are here to help you fight back. We will keep you informed, stand by your side, and work to get the best results for your case.
When your future is on the line, you can trust the team at Speights Law to provide the strong defense you deserve.
Common Defenses in Cases Involving Serious Felony Charges
Every serious felony case is unique, and the defense strategy must reflect the specific circumstances of the charges. At Speights Law, we take the time to understand your situation fully, crafting a defense tailored to your needs.
You will never be treated as just another case file—we will give your case the attention and care it deserves.
Common defenses in serious felony cases include the following:
- Self-defense: Arguing that you acted to protect yourself or someone else from immediate harm
- Lack of intent: Showing that the alleged act was accidental or unintentional, which may result in reduced charges or penalties
- Alibi: Providing evidence that you were somewhere else when the crime took place, proving you could not have committed the offense
- Mistaken identity: Showing that you were falsely identified as the perpetrator, often through unreliable eyewitness testimony or lack of direct evidence
- False accusations: Establishing that the charges are based on lies or personal motives, such as revenge or manipulation by the accuser
- Insufficient evidence: Challenging the prosecution’s ability to meet the burden of proof by exposing weaknesses in their evidence
We will carefully analyze every detail and explore all possible defenses as we seek a favorable outcome for your situation.
Tips for Preparing for a Serious Felony Case in Cumming, GA
Taking the right steps early on can make a significant difference in your defense. Here are some practical tips to help you navigate the process and work effectively with our lawyers for violent felonies in Cumming:
- Stay calm and focused: Facing criminal charges is stressful, but staying calm and focused can help you make better decisions. Trust your legal team and focus on the steps needed to defend yourself.
- Understand the charges: Learn about the charges and the potential consequences. We can explain the legal terms and process so that you know what to expect.
- Be honest with your lawyer: Give our lawyers all the details of your case, even if they seem minor or unfavorable. Complete transparency allows us to prepare the best defense.
- Avoid discussing your case: Do not talk about your case with anyone except your lawyer. This includes family, friends, and especially law enforcement. Anything you say could be used against you in court.
- Stay off social media: Avoid posting on social media while your case is ongoing. Even seemingly unrelated posts could be used as evidence by the prosecution.
- Gather evidence and witnesses: Work with our lawyers to collect evidence and identify potential witnesses who can support your version of events or provide an alibi.
- Follow all court orders: Comply with any conditions set by the court, such as no-contact orders, bail conditions, or scheduled court appearances. Non-compliance can hurt your case.
- Prepare for possible outcomes: You can discuss all possible outcomes of your case with our legal team, including plea deals or trial strategies, so you are prepared.
Call for Help from Our Cumming Serious Felonies Lawyers
When you’re facing serious felony charges, the clock is ticking. The sooner you have a defense lawyer on your side, the better your chances of protecting your rights and building a case that can shield you from the harshest consequences.
Speights Law understands the gravity of these charges and will fight for you every step of the way. We will work diligently to obtain the best outcome for your situation. Call our Cumming serious felonies lawyers today for a confidential consultation. Reach out now—your fight begins here.