FAQs

If you have been charged with a crime or a serious traffic offense, it is very likely that you do need a lawyer. An aggressive defense attorney will protect your rights and your freedom. He will have a clear understanding of the criminal justice system that a person accused of a crime will not posses. While it is true that in a small number of minor cases charges are dismissed without a defense attorney’s participation, this is rare. If you go to court without a lawyer, the judge is likely to continue your case and order you to return with a lawyer, or worse yet, make an accused proceed with a public defender that will only have met you that day and who will have to divide his time amongst many other defendants.

Look for an attorney who has a great deal of experience in criminal law. Find out how many bench trials and jury trials he has litigated in the past few months. Ask if he has defended the type of charge you face. How many times. Ask him to outline possible defenses. Jeff Manciagli is a criminal law specialist who practices in criminal court 99% of the time and goes to trial frequently. Just as you would not go to a dermatologist for help with a heart problem, you should not go to a real estate or personal injury attorney for a criminal case.

An aggressive defense attorney will interview the client in his office or at the jail. He should interview all relevant witnesses personally or through an investigator. He will examine the crime scene, obtain a court order to examine all physical evidence held by the police, subpoena all relevant police reports, make a motion for discovery, conduct all necessary legal research, write and litigate all relevant pre-trial motions, such as motions to suppress evidence based on constitutional rights violations, try the case to a judge or jury, and if necessary present mitigation evidence and sentencing arguments.

When law enforcement charges you with a criminal offense, call a criminal defense lawyer to discuss your case and review the legal options available. Criminal defense lawyers know the justice system, the processes in place in Georgia, and the steps you’ll likely encounter over the coming weeks and months. Calling a criminal defense lawyer immediately after a charge is the best option for reducing potential future penalties.

The best Georgia criminal defense lawyers hold significant experience representing clients in the Georgia courts and focus solely on criminal cases. Skilled criminal defense lawyers will also be able to show you their proven track record in cases similar to yours. They will walk you through the legal process and explain how they secure their clients’ freedom from prosecution. Consider the extra steps lawyers take to bring comfort and clarity to their clients. For example, Jeff Manciagli is fluent in Spanish and English, ensuring he can communicate effectively with clients and their families throughout Atlanta.

Criminal defense lawyers are your unrelenting legal advocate. They represent you in every aspect of the legal process, from interviewing relevant witnesses in your case to examining the crime scene and obtaining court orders for physical evidence. Your criminal defense lawyer will play a crucial role in communicating with the prosecution and will write and litigate pre-trial motions, such as motions to suppress evidence. They will fight against potential prosecutorial overreach and respond to investigation requests while protecting your best interests. Your lawyer will also present mitigating evidence and sentencing arguments and fight your case in the courts if necessary.

You can file a criminal appeal with the Court of Appeals in Atlanta within 30 days of your conviction. You may submit a motion for a new jury trial, which requests that the court revisit your case due to errors made at the initial trial or the availability of new evidence. You must file this motion within 30 days of your initial conviction. Another option may be to file a notice of appeal, a document notifying the lower court of your intention to take the case to the Georgia Court of Appeals or the Supreme Court of Georgia. Book a free consultation with a local Atlanta criminal appeals lawyer to determine the best option in your case.

Most cases are settled pre-trial in Georgia, with your criminal defense lawyer helping ensure the prosecution dismisses your charges or enters into a plea agreement for a lesser sentence. However, as a criminal defense lawyer with over 30 years of experience winning cases, Jeff Manciagli will prepare every element of your case for trial. His knowledge of criminal law and experience representing and advocating for clients at trial are crucial to his success in winning criminal cases in the Georgia courts.

No. Let your legal representative communicate with law enforcement on your behalf. When the police or investigators try to contact you, explain you’re choosing to exercise your Fifth Amendment rights. You will not resolve your legal issue by explaining your actions to the police. Instead, call Jeff Manciagli for a free consultation when police attempt to contact you. He can explain the next steps and immediately begin representing your best interests.

Before a police officer can arrest someone, they must have probable cause, which, according to the U.S. Supreme Court, is defined as “Acts and circumstances within the officer’s knowledge that are sufficient to warrant a prudent person, or one of reasonable caution, in believing, in the circumstances shown, that the suspect has committed, is committing, or is about to commit an offense. Probable cause is an objective standard, allowing your criminal defense lawyer to argue there was no probable cause in your case, so the courts dismiss your charges.

Yes. If the police and prosecutor have enough evidence to charge you with a crime, they will work to prove you guilty. Many innocent people are found guilty of crimes. A criminal defense lawyer can help gather the evidence to prove your innocence and ensure the case against you does not proceed to trial.

The difference between misdemeanors and felonies in the Georgia courts is the potential sentence for the crime. Misdemeanors are punishable by less than one year in a local jail and fines. Felonies are punishable by sentences up to life in prison or the death penalty. Jeff Manciagli has substantial experience representing clients in felony and misdemeanor cases and will help you understand your charges and the potential defense options for your case.

A pre-trial diversion under the Pretrial Intervention and Diversion Program (O.C.G.A. §15-18-80) is generally offered to first-time offenders and allows the courts an alternative to prosecution. Under a pre-trial diversion, the courts will require the individual to undergo counseling and w

Your role will be to utilize attorney-client privilege and answer your lawyer’s questions openly and honestly. Only speak with your criminal defense lawyer about your case. Doing this will help your lawyer ensure they represent you effectively and allow them to build a compelling defense in your case.

Protect Your Future with Aggressive Legal Defense

Charged with a crime? Don’t face it alone. Our experienced Atlanta criminal defense attorneys are ready to fight for your rights and build a strong defense on your behalf. Get a FREE consultation today and take the first step toward securing your freedom.