How To Deal With Criminal Charges In Covington, Georgia?

Every human being on earth makes mistakes. This is a fact about the human experience, well-known across the world. Unfortunately, some mistakes come with bigger consequences than others, both for the person who makes the mistake and for the people affected by it.

If you are facing criminal charges, you know that the potential consequences of an action can be far, far larger than intended or even thought possible. You may not have even made the mistake you stand accused of making, and instead are facing entirely outsized consequences for a much less serious mistake, or no mistake at all.

No matter how you wound up facing criminal charges in Covington, Georgia, the way you handle your next steps is absolutely crucial. The prospect of dealing with criminal charges and potentially criminal sentences is absolutely daunting. You are putting your life in the hands of other people, and subjecting yourself to their judgement entirely. It is very easy to see how people in this position can come to feel like their fate is already sealed, and like they can’t do much of anything to help themselves.

While it is true that the State of Georgia takes criminal charges very seriously, a defendant in a Georgia criminal case is not entirely hopeless. Rather, there is one definitive thing they can do to drastically improve their odds of a favorable or at least livable outcome in their case.

Namely, all criminal defendants in Georgia should hire an experienced, knowledgeable criminal defense attorney as soon as they possibly can. Having a capable attorney on your side can make all the difference in the outcome of your case, and therefore in the rest of your life moving forward.

Who Is George C. Creal, Jr?

George C. Creal, Jr. is an outstanding senior defense attorney in the state of Georgia. Along with his partners, Eric Bernstein and Justin Goodman, Attorney Creal is a dedicated advocate for clients facing criminal charges in Georgia courts.

Georgia Criminal Defense Attorney George C. Creal has an in-depth, expansive base of knowledge about Georgia law. He also has extensive experience, having practiced as a trial lawyer in the Metro-Atlanta area for nearly 30 years, during which he served under a State Superior Court Judge and worked as a staff attorney for a United States District Court. This level of seasoned professionalism makes Attorney Creal an invaluable asset to his clients, and a resource with which to navigate court processes on both the Georgia state and federal levels. He brings that knowledge and experience—as well as an expansive network of professional associates and a deep well of applied skill at trial—to the table for his clients.

How Can Attorney George C. Creal, Jr. Help Me?

In his capacity as a Georgia criminal defense attorney, Attorney Creal represents clients accused of a wide range of charges. This includes:

• Misdemeanors: In Georgia, a misdemeanor is any crime that carries a potential sentence of up to $1,000 and/or 12 months in jail or a state diversion center. Common misdemeanors include:
• Drunk or drug-influenced driving (DUI/DWI)
• Most serious traffic offenses (speeding, distracted driving, etc)
• Most domestic violence charges
• Vandalism and criminal trespass
• Simple assault and battery
• Shoplifting and petty theft
• Prostitution
• Tampering with evidence
• Indecent exposure

There is also an enhanced class of misdemeanors referred to as “high and aggravated misdemeanors”. This refers to crimes that would be considered misdemeanors but that are worsened or made more severe by an additional factor. Examples include getting multiple DUI convictions, or assault committed against a person over 65 years old. High and aggravated misdemeanors can carry enhanced sentencing of up to $5,000 in fines and 12 months in jail (or both).

• Felonies: Felonies are more serious crimes—specifically, any crime that carries a maximum possible sentence of over one year in jail (often served in state prison rather than county jail). There are many types of felonies, each of which has its own sentencing guidelines on a crime-by-crime basis. Some felonies, such as kidnapping, armed robbery, and rape, include mandatory minimums, which means anyone convicted of those crimes must serve at least a certain amount of time in prison. The most serious felonies in Georgia (those that involve murder) are punishable by the death penalty.

Examples of felonies in Georgia include both violent and non-violent crimes. Usually, non-violent crimes will carry less severe penalties. Examples include:

• Theft (including theft by taking and theft by deception)
• Drug possession and lower-scale drug sale
• White collar crime (including fraud, tax crimes, bribery, embezzlement, and counterfeiting)
• Property crime, such as receipt of stolen goods
• Cyber crime
• Racketeering

Felonies that are considered violent, on the other hand, usually come with steeper sentencing. Beyond the examples mentioned above (murder, rape, armed robbery, and kidnapping), violent felonies include:

• Arson
• Large-scale drug trafficking
• Aggravated Assault
• Assault with a deadly weapon
• Aggravated child molestation

Are You Or A Loved One Facing Criminal Charges—Whether They Are Misdemeanors Or Felonies—In Covington, Georgia?

Give yourself the best chance possible. Criminal Defense Attorney George C. Creal, Jr. can help. Don’t wait—the sooner you get Attorney Creal on your side, the better off you will be. Call (770) 961-5511 for a consultation on your case today.