Criminal Defense Attorney in Dunwoody, Georgia
Act Now to Protect Your Rights & Future
At Schwartz Trial Law, Dunwoody criminal defense lawyer Ryan Schwartz has years of experience providing personalized counsel to clients in Georgia. As a former prosecutor, he knows how the other side may build its case, and how to find loopholes and strategies to fight back. If you need help through a drug charge or representation for a DUI, traffic offense, theft crime, or domestic violence matter, contact Schwartz Trial Law.
Why choose Schwartz Trial Law for your defense?
- Former Prosecutor who knows How the Other Side Thinks
- Individualized Defense Tailored to Meet Each Client's Needs
- One-on-One Time Guaranteed with our Attorney
- In Good Standing with Prosecutors, Judges & the Courts
- Cases Begin with a FREE, Confidential Consultation
Although the criminal justice system provides for basic representation through public defenders, most defendants find that their chances of legal success greatly improve with the assistance of a dedicated criminal defense lawyer. Depending on your situation, many options and strategies may be available to you.
Protect Your Rights with a Tailored Defense
Crimes in Georgia are governed by a complex system of state laws that define the crime itself and any potential punishment. In almost all instances, securing a conviction will require the state to show that the defendant engaged in an activity that was criminal and did so with the mental state necessary to commit a crime. Each element of the offense must be shown beyond a reasonable doubt, which is the highest standard of proof.
When your future is at stake, there is not a moment to waste. To get started with your free, confidential consultation contact Schwartz Trial Law today. Attorney Ryan Schwartz represents in Dunwoody, Georgia, and throughout the North Atlanta area. Contact him if you've recently been charged with a crime in Sandy Springs, Brookhaven, Roswell, Alpharetta, Johns Creek, or anywhere in DeKalb County.
Traffic Offenses
One of the most commonly charged crimes is traffic offenses, including driving under the influence. These charges require the state to show that you knowingly violated an existing traffic law or recklessly failed to abide by an existing law, such as driving with a suspended license. In the case of DUI, the state must show that the driver was intoxicated while driving and placed the public at risk of harm.
Dunwoody criminal defense lawyer Ryan Schwartz looks at the details of every case. Many times he can argue that the police improperly stopped his client or that they were not subjected to proper blood-alcohol content testing. Attorney Schwartz leaves no stone unturned when it comes to his clients' defenses.
Theft
Theft Offenses require that the prosecution shows specific intent on the part of the accused. An individual may not be convicted for theft for mistakenly believing that he or she was entitled to borrow an item for a limited period of time, or for failing to realize that an item had been taken at all, among other situations.
Drug Crimes
Drug Offenses often impose punishments based on basic acts of possession or distribution, and the punishments can be severe based on the type and quantity of drug possessed. However, drug arrests and charges are frequently subject to manipulation, mistake, or confusion and can often be defended on this basis. For example, law enforcement may have improperly seized controlled substances without a proper warrant or another basis for a search.
Domestic Violence
Domestic Violence charges may result from a one-sided investigation into a dispute or disagreement, without considering the full picture and both sides of the story. In defending against a domestic violence charge, your attorney will carefully interview and evaluate all individuals involved to get a full picture of what happened in order to effectively defend you.
A Personal Interactive Experience Through Your Criminal Case
If you have recently been arrested, it is important that your attorney works quickly to evaluate the circumstances of your arrest and the defenses available to you. Ryan Schwartz is a Dunwoody criminal defense attorney who has a thorough command of Georgia's laws and a strong understanding of how to fight a wide range of misdemeanor and felony charges in local courts. Schwartz Trial Law represents defendants throughout the Atlanta metro region, including in Woodstock, Decatur, Lawrenceville, Gainesville, Macon, Canton, Jonesboro, and Norcross, among other communities across Georgia.
Criminal Defense FAQ
Q: Do I Need a Criminal Defense Lawyer?
A: If you have been accused of a crime, you will have to appear in court. Whenever you appear in court, it is in your best interest to have an attorney represent you. Although you have the right to represent yourself, less than 1% of accused individuals make this decision. Your lawyer can help you navigate the criminal justice system, make "deals" with prosecutors, hire and manage investigators, and much more. Most importantly, your attorney can give you case-specific legal advice you won't find anywhere else and support you during a difficult time in your life.
Q: How Much Does a Criminal Defense Lawyer Cost?
A: The cost of your criminal defense lawyer will depend on the specifics of your case. For example, most attorneys charge more for felonies than misdemeanors, and attorneys may charge more in big cities. On average, clients seeking criminal defense services will pay about $1,500 per case. Your attorney may bill you per hour or case, and they will likely want a retainer fee up front. If you have questions about how much your case will cost, speak to an attorney directly.
Q: What Is the Most Common Criminal Defense?
A: To get a conviction, prosecutors must prove that you are guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. As such, it is your attorney's job to disprove the prosecutor's theories or create doubt that what they're saying is true. The most common criminal defenses include innocence (you did not commit the crime and have proof of your innocence), alibis (you were somewhere else at the time the crime was committed), self-defense (you used reasonable force to protect yourself in a dangerous situation), constitutional violations (authorities violated your constitutional rights during your arrest, while gathering evidence, or at any other time during your case), lack of intent (you did not mean to hurt anyone), and insanity (you did not understand what you were doing as a result of a mental illness).
The defense that works best for you will depend on your charges and the circumstances of your unique case. Discuss your case with a lawyer today.
Q: How Does a Criminal Defense Attorney Prepare for Trial?
A: One of the first steps an attorney takes to prepare for trial is talking to witnesses. After your attorney engages in open and collaborative communication with you (their client), they will talk to others who saw or heard the alleged crime. Your attorney may also hire investigators to get insight into the alleged crime and hire expert witnesses to explain possibilities and impossibilities within a specialty area. Criminal defense attorneys will also talk to character witnesses to establish your personality, integrity, and relationship with the alleged victim. Both criminal defense attorneys and prosecutors engage in discovery to make sure they are working with the same facts.
With the right witnesses and evidence, your lawyer can present your side of the story and help you obtain the best possible results.
Q: What Evidence Is Admissible in a Criminal Trial?
A: Courtrooms across the United States adhere to the "rules of evidence," which determine what evidence is and is not admissible in a criminal trial. In general, demonstrative evidence (photos and videos), documentary evidence (written documents), real evidence (objects), and testimonial evidence (witness statements) are admissible in a criminal trial - as long as they are relevant to the case and were obtained legally. Your lawyer should keep a careful eye on what evidence makes it to court. For example, your attorney could get your charges dismissed by preventing real evidence (e.g., drugs) that was obtained during an illegal search and seizure (e.g., an unwarranted traffic stop) from making it into your trial.
Q: What if My Lawyer Thinks I Am Guilty?
A: A good criminal defense attorney is not worried about whether their client committed a crime. Rather, they are worried about whether the government can prove that their client committed a crime. Your lawyer is ethically bound to represent your best interests. This could mean proving your innocence in a court of law or helping you make a plea deal if you are guilty.
While your attorney cannot lie on your behalf, they cannot speak to your guilt or innocence without your express permission, and they should focus on dismantling the prosecution's case as much as they focus on building yours.
Most of the time, defense attorneys do not know whether their clients are guilty. Instead, they present their client's side of the story, question the prosecution's claims, and let the court decide guilt or innocence.