A serious felony charge can hit fast and leave you feeling trapped and unsure of your next move. Worrying about your future, your work, and your name is a natural reaction. The right legal team can step in and start protecting you from the start.
A Jasper criminal defense lawyer from Speights Law will help steady the ground beneath you and give you a way forward. We will defend your rights and guide you through your case. With over 122 years of combined courtroom experience across Georgia, we know how to respond when serious felony charges hit.
Our former prosecutors and seasoned trial lawyers understand how the state builds serious felony cases and how to dismantle them. We will take the time to hear your side, explain how Georgia law applies to your situation, and build a defense tailored to your case. Call us today for a free consultation to learn how our Jasper serious felonies defense lawyer can defend you.
What Counts as a Serious Felony in Georgia?
Georgia law classifies crimes as misdemeanors or felonies. A serious felony involves violence, significant harm, or high financial loss. These cases receive heavier charges and more aggressive sentencing from prosecutors.
Common Serious Felony Charges in Georgia
Here are examples of serious felonies under Georgia law:
- Armed robbery
- Aggravated assault
- Aggravated battery
- Kidnapping
- Rape or other violent sex offenses
- Murder or felony homicide
- Drug trafficking or large-scale distribution crimes
- Burglary in the first degree
Our Jasper Serious Felonies Defense Attorney Will Lead Your Case
People facing major charges need more than general legal advice—they need a structured defense plan.
We will:
- Review police conduct for illegal searches, improper stops, or rights violations
- Challenge witness statements that may be biased or incomplete
- Request video footage, forensic reports, and digital records
- File motions to suppress evidence collected unlawfully
- Speak with prosecutors to negotiate reduced charges when appropriate
- Prepare for trial with expert witnesses and strategic cross-examination
- Handle appeals if the initial outcome is unjust or based on legal errors
- Guide you through bond hearings, arraignment, pretrial motions, and court appearances
- Communicate updates so you always understand what comes next
Our serious felony defense lawyer serving Jasper is involved in your case from the first call through the final resolution. We will answer your questions and ensure you understand what happens in your case.
Penalties for Serious Felonies in Georgia
A conviction for a serious felony in Georgia brings mandatory prison time and a permanent record.
Sentencing ranges include:
- One to 20 years for aggravated assault or aggravated battery
- Ten years to life for armed robbery
- Life in prison or the death penalty for murder
- Twenty-five years minimum to life for certain sex crimes involving minors
- Long-term registration on the Georgia Sex Offender Registry for qualifying crimes
- Heavy fines, probation conditions, mandatory classes, and restitution orders
Georgia’s sentencing laws leave little room for error. Once convicted, appealing becomes harder. This is why many people reach out long before their first court date.
We Will Prepare You for Court and Appeals
Court procedures can feel intense, especially with felony-level stakes. Our serious felony charges lawyer in Jasper:
- Prepares you for questioning and courtroom conduct.
- Advises you on plea offers and trial choices.
- Files motions to preserve your right to appeal if necessary.
- Reviews transcripts and trial errors to support an appeal filing to a higher court.
Even after a conviction, legal options remain available, and our team pursues every path allowed under Georgia law. The sooner we hear from you, the sooner we can help. Call our office today for a free consultation.
When Should You Call a Defense Lawyer About Your Case?
Once police or investigators make contact, it’s time to involve a defense lawyer. You don’t have to wait for the authorities to file formal charges. In serious felony cases, the earlier a lawyer steps in, the more options you may have.
Reach out if:
- You were arrested or detained.
- A police officer contacted you or asked you to come in “for a talk.”
- You learned you are under investigation.
- You received a search warrant or subpoena.
- A detective or investigator left a card at your home or job.
Any one of these signs means law enforcement has begun gathering information and may already be building a case. You deserve someone protecting your side just as quickly.
Possible Defenses in Serious Felony Cases
Each defense strategy depends on the facts. Defense options may include:
- Self-defense or defense of others: Georgia law allows force to protect yourself or someone else if there is a real threat. We can work to show that your actions were a response to danger, not a crime.
- False accusation or mistaken identity: Some cases come from personal disputes or misidentification. Our defense lawyer will review witness statements and background issues that may show the accusation is unreliable.
- Lack of intent to commit a crime: Serious felony charges often require proof that you meant to cause harm or commit a specific act. If intent is missing, the charge may not meet the legal standard.
- Improper police procedure: Police must follow legal steps during stops, searches, and arrests. Failure to follow procedure can lead to key evidence being thrown out of court.
- Insufficient evidence: The state must prove every element of the charge beyond a reasonable doubt. If the evidence is weak or inconsistent, we can push to have it dismissed.
- Violations of your Fourth or Fifth Amendment rights: If an illegal search or forced statements violated your rights, the court may exclude that evidence, weakening the state’s case.
- Unreliable forensic or digital evidence: Forensic tests, phone data, or surveillance footage can be flawed or misinterpreted. A defense lawyer can challenge the accuracy or handling of this evidence.
- Alibi supported by proof or witnesses: If records, video, or witness testimony place you somewhere else, this can directly challenge the prosecution’s timeline and claim that you were involved.
Our team looks for weaknesses in the state’s case and uses procedural tools to challenge their claims in court.
Tips for Clients Facing Serious Felony Charges in Jasper, GA
You can take certain steps now that can help protect your defense, such as:
- Avoid speaking to law enforcement without your lawyer.
- Do not discuss your case on social media or messaging apps.
- Save any texts, videos, receipts, or digital records that may help your case.
- Write down the names of witnesses and details of the event while you remember clearly.
- Follow your lawyer’s advice closely and attend all court dates.
Staying organized helps your defense team prepare a strong case.
Tell Our Jasper Serious Felonies Defense Lawyer About Your Case
A felony charge in Georgia threatens your future and your freedom. With stakes this high, you deserve a defense lawyer who is ready to push back and protect your rights. A Jasper serious felonies defense lawyer from Speights Law will step in, review your situation, and give you clear guidance throughout your case.
We will begin protecting your rights immediately and pursue the best outcome for your situation. Call us today for a free and confidential case review. The sooner you contact our team, the sooner we can start building your defense.