What State Should I Hire A Criminal Defense Lawyer In?
Atlanta is an amazing city and a popular tourist destination for people from all over the country. However, nothing ruins a vacation faster than being placed under arrest. If you are from another state and are facing criminal charges in Georgia, you may be wondering how best to obtain representation. You may feel that it is more convenient to hire a lawyer in your own state since you will be able to meet with them in person more frequently, or you may even know lawyers in your home state who you would want to represent you. However, it’s important to understand the requirements for counsel before deciding where to retain a Georgia criminal attorney.
Where to Hire a Criminal Defense Lawyer
When you are released after being arrested you will generally be bonded out and given a notice to appear. This notice will tell you which court you will have to appear in and where it is located. The court will likely be located in the county or district in which you were arrested. You will want to hire a lawyer licensed in Georgia since that is the state where you were charged. A lawyer from your home state is likely not licensed to practice law in Georgia, which means that they cannot legally do so. Additionally, even if they do have licensure, they may not be as familiar with Georgia laws or courts. For this reason, it is always important to hire a lawyer in the state in which you were charged with a crime as opposed to your home state or any other location.
Why Local Counsel Can Help You Win Your Case
In addition to hiring a lawyer in Georgia, it is also beneficial to look for a lawyer located in the county in which you were charged and where you will appear in court. This is because lawyers local to that area likely have a great deal of experience appearing and trying cases in the same court that you will be tried in. This means that they will be familiar with the prosecutors as well as the judges, and will have a great understanding of how to navigate your case. This increases the likelihood of your lawyer being able to negotiate a plea bargain that is advantageous to your case, or even being able to have your case dismissed. Lawyers who regularly try cases in front of the same judges also become very familiar with the expectations and habits of the judge, which can allow them to custom-tailor your defense to be well received by the judge hearing it.
Contact Hawkins Spizman Trial Lawyers Today
If you are facing criminal charges for DUI, reckless driving, public intoxication, assault, or other crimes, in Atlanta, Dunwoody, Alpharetta, Cobb County, Fulton County, Gwinnett County, Johns Creek, Sandy Springs, or elsewhere in Georgia, the experienced criminal defense lawyers at Hawkins Spizman Trial Lawyers are ready to fight to have your charges reduced or dismissed. Contact Hawkins Spizman Trial Lawyers today to schedule a consultation.
