Probation Firm Sued

Recently, a lawyer in Augusta, Georgia sued a private probation firm based in Georgia. You can read the full article from the AJC for all the details.

criminal defense lawyer Atlanta GA

If you are facing charges that could result in probation, you need an experienced criminal defense lawyer who can make sure all your rights are protected. Contact Kyle immediately at (770) 744-5250 so he can go to work on your case, ensuring you the best outcome possible.

What’s My Bail?

What’s My Bail?

Navigating the bail and bonding out process can be tricky if you’ve never had to go through the process before. The whole process usually begins with an arrest. An arrest can occur by a warrant or on the spot (such as during a traffic stop).

Sometimes, if you’ve committed a minor misdemeanor, your bail amount may be pre-set at the jail you’re booked into. This greatly simplifies the bonding out process because you don’t have to appear before a judge to find out how much your bail will be set at. However, for most misdemeanors and felonies, you will have to appear before a judge to find out how, when, and if you will be released from jail, how much your bail will be, and what your conditions of release will be. The Judge generally takes several things into account during this hearing such as your criminal history, your ties to the community, and the severity of your crime. This hearing is usually between 24-48 hours of your arrest.

It is important for you to know that you are entitled to have a lawyer present during this hearing. Its especially important to have a lawyer present if you are being charged with a serious crime.

Once  your bail is set you can post your bond two different ways. You can either post the entire amount of the bond or you can use a bondsman. If you cannot post the entire amount of your bond, you can hire a bondsman. Generally you pay the bondsman approximately 10% of your total bail amount and the rest of the amount is secured with the court under bond.

If you have a question about a bail amount for yourself or a friend or family member call Kyle today at (770) 744-5250.

Get Out Of Jail Early

Get Out Of Jail Early

A lot of people who are facing jail time are wondering if they can get out of jail early. In the state of Georgia, sometimes the answer can be yes! For serious crimes and repeat offenders, the Judge will sometimes sentence a defendant to a split sentence. A split sentence is when a defendant is sentenced to 10 years, 5 years to be served in jail and the remaining 5 years to be served on probation.

Based on Georgia’s parole system, sometimes defendants can get out of jail early, though. The general guidelines for getting out of jail early are:

-sentences under 21 years: you are eligible for parole after serving 1/3 of your sentence or 9 months (the greater of the two)

-sentences more than 21 years: you are eligible for parole after 7 years

However, there are exceptions to these guidelines:

-first offender sentences: If you are being sentenced under Georgia’s First Offender Act (read more about the First Offender Act), you may be immediately eligible for parole. This is, of course, dependent upon your criminal defense lawyer asking for and the Judge granting this request.

-violent felonies: If you have committed one of the seven deadly sins (murder, felony murder, armed robbery, kidnapping, rape, aggravated assault, aggravated child molestation, aggravated sodomy, or aggravated sexual battery) and were sentenced after July 31, 1994,  you are not eligible for parole. This list is not exhaustive, and there are other crimes that are not eligible for parole in the state of Georgia as well.

-life sentences: Depending on when you were sentenced to a life sentence, you may be eligible for parole after either 14 years or 30 years.

-repeat offenders: If you’ve been convicted of a serious violent felony and have prior convictions for serious violent felonies, you are not eligible for parole.

To confuse things even further, there are some exceptions to the exceptions:

-If the severity of your crime is Level 4 or less, you may be considered for parole before serving 1/3 of your sentence. Georgia’s Crime Level Severity chart may help you to determine the level of your crime.

-If your sentence is less than two years you may qualify for an early release program.

To get out of jail early in the state of Georgia is possible but not always easy. If you are facing a conviction and jail time, call Kyle today at (770) 744-5250 for a free consultation.