Cobb County Violent Crime Lawyer

Cobb County Violent Crime Attorney

If you are faced with serious accusations of a felony, working with a Cobb County violent crime lawyer would be a smart priority. In Georgia, violent felony charges are aggressively prosecuted and can lead to extensive stays in state prisons. In Cobb County, specifically, violent crimes are typically handled in the Superior Court, located at 70 Haynes Street, Marietta, Georgia, 30090.

If you’re under investigation or have been formally arrested for a violent crime in Georgia, it’s vital to contact a Cobb County violent crime lawyer for your defense. A knowledgeable local attorney can evaluate your specific case and create a strong defense specific to your factual circumstances.

The Law Offices of Marc A. Watkins, P.C., works in defense of serious felonies. In Cobb County, the violent crime rate is 4.928 per 1,000 residents in a standard year. According to a survey managed by the Georgia Gang Investigators Association (GGIA), over 60% of all the crime in George is committed by violent gangs. Such figures highlight the importance of working with legal counsel who has the necessary local experience to be a difference-maker.

What Are Violent Crimes in Cobb County?

In recent years, Cobb County has had a violent crime rate of 22.1, which is just below the nation’s average of 22.7. Such crimes include acts of severe force, the threat of force, or even attempted force against a victim. Violent crimes are typically felonies with potentially significant penalties.

In Georgia, being convicted of a violent felony can result in:

• A prison sentence of anywhere from 40 months to life
• Enhancements to the sentence in the event a firearm was used
• Requirements for registration when applicable
• Life-long felony records

If you have to hire a violent crime lawyer, the timing can be crucial.

What Are Some Common Examples of Violent Crimes in Cobb County?

In Cobb County, these crimes against people include the following:

• Assault or aggravated assault
• Domestic violence
• Kidnapping
• Murder and manslaughter
• Rape and sexual assault
• Robbery and aggravated robbery

This is not an exhaustive list, and if you have questions about whether the criminal charges you are facing are for a violent crime with potential felony consequences, it’s important to speak with an experienced criminal defense attorney. In Cobb County, prosecutors typically charge violent crime felonies under statutes such as:

• Aggravated Assault (GA Code 16-5-21) – This tends to involve assault with a deadly weapon, the intent to rob, rape, or murder, or an object that is likely to cause major bodily harm.
• Armed Robbery (GA Code 16-8-41) – Typically, armed robbery involves taking property from another individual by use of a harmful weapon.
• Murder and Felony Murder (GA Code 16-5-1) – Charges for felony murder can come to be when it’s alleged a death took place while committing another felony, regardless of whether there was deliberate intention to kill or not.
• Sexual Assault and Rape (GA Code 16-6-1) – These types of charges can carry life-changing penalties and, if found guilty and convicted, mandatory registration as a sex offender.

How Can I Defend Against Violent Crime Charges?

You have a right to defend yourself against criminal charges, and the specific defenses available to you depend on the circumstances of your case. With violent crimes, attorneys typically argue there was a legal justification or excuse for the underlying behaviors. These legal justifications can include:

• Self-defense – You can argue you had to protect yourself or someone else from imminent harm, and your actions were reasonable in the circumstances and also proportionate to the harm.
• Insanity – You may be able to argue you weren’t mentally competent at the time of the offense.
• Lack of intent – You might argue you lacked the intent necessary for the crime, i.e., if you were intoxicated at the time and didn’t intend to cause any violence.

A seasoned Cobb County defense attorney can further explain what defenses you might consider depending on the specific charges you face.

Why Should I Hire a Cobb County Violent Crime Lawyer?

A trusted attorney can assist from the moment you are under investigation or have been arrested for a violent crime. They can help make sure your life doesn’t turn upside down while trying to beat the charges against you. Specifically, a knowledgeable attorney can help:

• Try to negotiate plea deals on your behalf with prosecutors.
• Give you honest advice about the full scope of how the charges against you might impact your life.
• Discuss the entire picture of what could happen during your case and explain any incriminating evidence the government might try to use against you.
• Address all possible options for resolving your case and help you consider how each option might affect your life.

If you’re facing violent crime charges, a criminal defense lawyer can help in many different ways.

FAQs

Q: What Qualifies as a Violent Crime in Georgia?

A: In Georgia, violent crimes generally include offenses that involve force, threats, or extreme bodily harm, such as armed robbery, aggravated assault, aggravated battery, rape, and murder. Each of these crimes is prosecuted as a felony and typically carries serious, long-term prison sentences. The Law Offices of Marc A. Watkins, P.C. can look over your circumstances to determine possible next steps.

Q: How Serious Are Violent Crime Charges in Cobb County?

A: In Cobb County, violent crime charges are treated very seriously. Being convicted of a violent felony may lead to an extensive incarceration, required minimum sentences, enhancements for firearm usage, and a felony record that stays with you for the rest of your life. For some offenses, life sentences are carried out and often pursued.

Q: Can Violent Crime Charges be Reduced?

A: The ability to reduce violent crime charges tends to depend on the case’s facts, evidence, presence of a prior record, or not, and the discretion of the prosecution. A Cobb County violent crime attorney could negotiate for reductions, dispute evidence, or seek total dismissal if any constitutional violations took place at any stage of the case.

Q: Should I Speak to the Police if I am Accused of a Violent Crime?

A: If you are accused of a violent crime, you should not talk to the police by yourself. Instead, it would be wise to plead the fifth and exercise your right to remain silent until an attorney is present. Then one should be contacted immediately. Statements that are made without the guidance of legal counsel can greatly impact the capability of your defense.

Contact a Trusted Attorney for Cobb County Violent Crime Charges

If you’re facing serious violent crime charges, it’s critical to consult a Cobb County defense attorney with experience in cases similar to yours who can mount a strong defense on your behalf. Marc A. Watkins understands all that is at stake with violent crime charges and knows what it takes to beat them. Contact the Law Offices of Marc A. Watkins, P.C. today to discuss your charges in a confidential consultation.