Cobb County Criminal Defense Attorney Who Knows How the Prosecution Thinks
Before I defended people, I prosecuted them. I spent years as a Cobb County prosecutor learning exactly how the state builds its cases — what evidence it prioritizes, where its arguments are weakest, and how to dismantle them from the inside out. That experience is what I bring to every criminal defense case I take.
25+ Years of Criminal Defense Experience
Named Georgia Super Lawyer
Former Cobb County Prosecutor
Proven Dismissals and Not Guilty Verdicts
Personal Representation — Not a Billboard Firm
Whether you were arrested last night or you've been sitting on a charge you've been hoping will go away, the most important thing you can do right now is understand what you're actually facing. Georgia treats criminal convictions — including misdemeanors — seriously, and the consequences follow you long after the case closes.
I represent clients across Marietta, Cobb County, and the surrounding region in a wide range of criminal matters. Every case gets my direct attention. I take a limited number of cases for exactly that reason.
Protective orders can restrict where you live, where you go, and who you contact
A conviction stays on your record and can affect employment, housing, and professional licensing
Family court judges can and do consider domestic violence charges in custody proceedings — even before a conviction
A domestic violence conviction triggers automatic federal firearms restrictions, regardless of whether the offense was a misdemeanor or felony
This is why how you respond in the first 24 to 48 hours matters more than most people understand.
Misdemeanor or Felony — Every Charge in Georgia Carries Real Consequences
One of the most common things I hear from new clients is some version of "I didn't think I needed a lawyer for something this minor." I understand the instinct. But in Georgia, even a misdemeanor conviction appears permanently on your criminal record — and unlike some states, Georgia offers very limited expungement options once a conviction is entered.
That means a first-time theft charge, a simple assault allegation, or a probation violation can follow you into job applications, housing screenings, and professional licensing decisions for the rest of your life. The charge may feel minor. The record it creates is not.
If you're unsure whether your situation warrants legal representation, the answer is almost always yes — and a free consultation costs you nothing to find out.
The quantity in your case matters enormously. So does how the evidence was obtained.
Charged under the VGCSA as Schedule II, III, or IV depending on the substance
Heroin
Prescription drugs without a valid prescription
MDMA (ecstasy)
Schedule I; any amount is a felony with serious sentencing exposure
Schedule I; felony possession with elevated penalties
Criminal Defense Cases I Handle in Cobb County and Beyond
I represent clients facing a broad range of criminal charges at both the misdemeanor and felony level. Below are the specific practice areas where I focus my defense work. Each links to a dedicated page with more detail on what these charges involve, how Georgia prosecutes them, and what a strong defense typically looks like.
Assault & Battery
Assault and battery charges in Georgia can stem from a single incident and carry consequences ranging from misdemeanor jail time to serious felony exposure depending on the circumstances. I examine every detail — witness accounts, physical evidence, and the sequence of events — to build a defense that reflects what actually happened.
Theft Charges
From shoplifting to felony theft, Georgia prosecutors pursue these cases aggressively. I've had theft charges dismissed on the day of trial. Whether you're facing a first offense or a more serious allegation, there is almost always more to work with than the arrest report suggests.
Property Crimes
Criminal damage to property, vandalism, and related charges can escalate quickly depending on the value of the damage alleged. I look carefully at how the state has calculated its numbers and whether the evidence actually supports the charge as filed.
Probation Violations
A probation violation can put you back in front of a judge facing the original sentence you avoided — sometimes with very little notice. These hearings move fast, and the standard of proof is lower than a criminal trial. Early intervention matters here more than almost anywhere else.
Juvenile Offenses
When a young person is charged with a criminal offense, the goal is to protect their future — not just resolve the immediate case. I work with families navigating the juvenile court system across Cobb County to pursue outcomes that keep options open, not closed.
What Hiring a Private Defense Attorney Actually Means for Your Case
Public defenders are often skilled attorneys working under impossible conditions. If you've been assigned one, you haven't been assigned a bad lawyer — you've been assigned a lawyer managing a caseload that makes focused attention on any single case extremely difficult.
Private defense is different not because of credentials, but because of capacity. When I take your case, I have the time to investigate, the bandwidth to explore every avenue, and the ability to be in contact with you throughout the process. Criminal cases are rarely won on the law alone — they're won on preparation, strategy, and knowing the people and courts involved. I've practiced in Cobb County courts for over 25 years. That familiarity is part of what you're hiring.
Hiring a lawyer also isn't an admission of guilt. The prosecution already has their attorney. Exercising your right to representation is exactly what the constitution intends — and it protects your interests from the very first interaction with law enforcement, not just at trial.
Results That Reflect What's Actually Possible
Not guilty verdict — assault charge, Cobb County
Dismissed before trial — marijuana possession
Dismissed on day of trial — theft charge
Case outcomes depend on the facts, the evidence, and the court. I can't promise a result. What I can tell you is that I go into every case looking for every available path to the best possible outcome — and I've found them in cases that looked difficult from the start.
What Does a Criminal Defense Attorney Do in Georgia?
What does a criminal defense attorney do in Georgia?
A criminal defense attorney reviews the charges against you, evaluates the evidence the prosecution has gathered, identifies weaknesses in the state's case, and develops a legal strategy aimed at dismissal, reduction, or acquittal. In Georgia, this also includes representing you at arraignment, pretrial hearings, and trial if the case proceeds that far.
Do I need a lawyer if I'm only facing a misdemeanor charge in Georgia?
Yes. Georgia misdemeanor convictions are permanent on your criminal record, and the state offers very limited expungement options. A misdemeanor conviction can affect employment, housing, and professional licensing. The charge may feel minor — the long-term record it creates is not.
What's the difference between a felony and a misdemeanor in Georgia?
In Georgia, misdemeanors are generally punishable by up to 12 months in jail and a $1,000 fine. Felonies carry sentences of one year or more in state prison, and the collateral consequences — including loss of voting rights and firearm restrictions — are more severe. Some charges can be filed as either, depending on the circumstances and the prosecutor's discretion.
How is a former prosecutor different from a standard defense attorney?
A former prosecutor has worked on the other side of criminal cases — building the state's arguments, evaluating evidence, and deciding which cases to pursue and how. That experience means I understand how Cobb County prosecutors think, what they prioritize, and where their cases tend to be most vulnerable. It's a perspective most defense attorneys don't have.
What should I do immediately after being arrested in Georgia?
Do not answer questions from law enforcement without an attorney present. Invoke your right to remain silent clearly and politely, and contact a criminal defense attorney as soon as possible. The decisions made in the first hours after an arrest can significantly affect how the rest of the case unfolds.
Can criminal charges in Georgia be expunged?
Georgia law allows for record restriction (commonly called expungement) in limited circumstances — primarily when charges were dismissed or you were acquitted. Convictions are generally not eligible. This is one reason why fighting a charge, rather than accepting a plea, can matter more than it might initially seem.
Start With a Conversation — It Costs You Nothing
If you've been arrested or charged with a crime in Marietta, Cobb County, or the surrounding area, the first step is understanding what you're actually facing. I offer free consultations because I believe you should be able to get honest answers before you make any decisions.
Call (678) 223-4975 or use the form below to tell me about your situation. I'll listen, give you a straight assessment, and let you know how I can help.
