State and federal law enforcement agencies have always been tough on drugs.  Don’t expect Georgia to become one of the new medical marijuana states anytime soon!  Drugs are considered a blemish on society and they forces that be wish to eradicate them from our communities plain and simple.  When you find yourself facing a conviction for a drug offense you have a tough road ahead of you.

When you find yourself arrested or have a feeling you are under surveilance, you should be sure to contact an Atlanta drug charges attorney as soon as possible to begin planning your legal defense.  There is a multitude of different ways a criminal defense attorney can protect you in court if you are facing a drug arrest.  Illegal searches are performed at an alarming rate, and any defense attorney with experience and skill can get charges dismissed under these circumstances.  Law enforcement agencies like to bend the rules while in pursuit of drug arrests, and they all hope the person arrested does not have the resources to challenge their tactics in a court of law.

When someone is arrested for simple possession, if it is a first offense, a good criminal lawyer can ensure probation coupled with some type of counseling or drug classes to attend.  Legal representation is needed in a situation like this, but it is considerably more important when being charged with an offense like possession with intent to distribute or trafficking.

An arrest for trafficking narcotics can entail a lengthy prison sentence.   Sometimes it can also entail asset forfeiture and stiff fines.  The government does not take kindly to people who sell illegal substances for a tax free windfall.  The fines for drug trafficking convictions are among the most severe fines handed down in a court of law.

If you are facing criminal charges from a drug arrest, it is very important to begin looking for an Atlanta criminal defense attorney immediately.  There are many good criminal lawyers in Atlanta, but if you want the best possible representation be sure to choose one that is an expert in defending clients facing drug charges.  Expertise goes a long way.

May 28th, 2010

Early this morning at 3:40am Luis Rodriguez, 34, was arrested for domestic violence in Atlanta. Police were called to the home after the neighbor had repeatedly heard yelling and profanity coming from the home. When he heard several loud crashes and a woman crying, he decided she might need help so he called the police. Rodriguez denied the assault on his girlfriend, but police were forced to take him into custody regardless. The girlfriend refused to make any statement to the police. Domestic violence is a serious offense and one that will require the representation of an Atlanta criminal defense attorney without question.

An arrest for domestic violence can be a very troublesome endeavor.  Things like special interest groups and the mindset of jurors come into play.  Some people don’t conceptualize that an accusation of domestic violence can be a tool for a disgruntled spouse in upcoming divorce proceedings or custody battles.  Unfortunately, a conviction for domestic violence will effect custody, regardless of how strong the case was.

People who are convicted for domestic violence are looked at as predators.  Extenuating circumstances are hardly ever considered.  An example of extenuating circumstances might be that your spouse charged at you with a butcher knife.  You physically assault the person to defend your life, but then there is no evidence of that person’s attempt to try and kill you.  It is your word against theirs, and they have all the evidence on their side.  This happens a lot more frequently than most people might think.

There are other problems associated with a conviction for domestic violence.  In many apartment communities a conviction for domestic violence is considered even worse to a landlord than a registered sex offender.  If you get a divorce and you find yourself needing to rent a place, it will be difficult to find someone who will let you rent.  You will essentially have to keep trying until you find someone who doesn’t bother with background checks, and that is rare.

In some cases people lose their job when their employer finds out about domestic violence charges being filed against you.  If that happens, finding a new job will not be easy.  In today’s times of economic uncertainty, a job is an asset.  Having a blemish on your record for domestic violence will make things much harder for you when there are eager qualified people searching for jobs in abundance.

These criminal charges must be fought aggressively.  If you utilize the services of a tenacious Atlanta criminal attorney, you can level the playing field and either get your charges dismissed or reach an equitable plea deal that will keep you from experiencing these mentioned setbacks in life.  If the charges are weak, you can expect to get your case dismissed.  If the evidence against you is strong, you can expect your criminal defense lawyer to fight for you until a plea that you consider desirable is reached.