Cumming Criminal Defense Attorney

Aggressive & Strategic Defense

No matter the circumstances of your criminal charges, Zeliff | Watson has the experience and tactical insight to fight for the best possible outcome. We have had charges dismissed or clients acquitted for nearly every crime in the books—we are committed to doing the same for you. Your award-winning lawyers will handle your case with the meticulousness and aggression you need in a Cumming defense attorney.

Our clients trust us because we are renowned in the field for what we do, and we have vast experience handling criminal cases. Both Attorneys have been honored as a “Super Lawyer" by Super Lawyers, an honor that only 2.5% of attorneys can achieve. He has also been named a Georgia Super Lawyer multiple times, making him one of the leading attorneys in the state.

Attorney Watson has personally resolved hundreds of criminal defense cases throughout Georgia, changing lives and helping his clients stay free. His deep familiarity with the criminal justice system makes him one of the most well-known and respected attorneys in the Georgia courts.

These are your lawyers—effective, successful, and passionate about protecting our clients’ rights.

To learn how criminal charges in GA can be effectively defended, contact a Cumming criminal defense attorney from our firm today.  

What are the potential penalties for a criminal conviction in Georgia?

If you’re facing criminal charges, you need an advocate you can depend on—someone who will fight for your best option and keep your long-term well-being in mind. Georgia is a harsh home for those who have been convicted of a crime. Whatever you’re facing, you cannot afford to lose your case (or your future).

• Georgia’s general penalties for a criminal conviction include:
• Probation or parole (depending on charges)
• Driver’s license consequences
• Financial restitution to victims
• Sizable fines, court costs and state surcharges
• Incarceration
• Mandated courses, evaluations and assessments

All of this represents years of your life—both in terms of imprisonment and the sheer cost to you in wages. You might be weighing the cost of a criminal defense attorney, but the real question is this: can anyone afford not to hire a Cumming criminal defense lawyer?

Why Hire a Criminal Attorney Near Me?

If you've been arrested, it's in your best interest to hire a criminal defense attorney. Having an experienced criminal defense attorney on your side can make all the difference in the outcome of your case. It could mean the difference between a favorable or devastating outcome in court. 

Here are some of the most important reasons why you should hire a criminal attorney near you: 

• A criminal defense lawyer is experienced and qualified to protect your rights. After an arrest, the legal process can be intimidating and confusing. A criminal defense attorney understands all the complexities of the law and is better equipped to advocate on your behalf than you are alone. 
• A criminal attorney will negotiate with prosecutors on your behalf. This means that they may be able to get a lesser charge or even have the charges dropped altogether if there is not sufficient evidence against you. 
• A criminal lawyer will ensure that all procedural rules are followed throughout the legal process and will work to make sure your rights are respected. This is especially important in cases of false arrest or police misconduct. 
• An experienced attorney can often help you avoid jail time, even if you do face a conviction. A criminal defense lawyer will know what sentencing alternatives may be available and how to best represent your case so that the sentence imposed is fair and just. 

With knowledge and skill on your side, there's a greater chance of achieving a favorable outcome in your case. Do not hesitate to let our firm protect your rights and freedom inside and outside the courtroom.

Having an experienced attorney on your side means having someone who can get charges reduced or dismissed—who can see when the prosecution is upping your charges to pressure you into a plea deal. Having a lawyer means having a trained legal professional who can identify when your rights have been violated or when law enforcement has violated their own regulations.

 Contact a Cumming criminal defense attorney from our Georgia law firm today.  

Choose Zeliff | Watson for your Georgia Criminal Defense

We’ve sometimes helped our clients walk away from charges simply because, after 30 years, we know where to look for common missteps. Our knowledge of the system and the laws, along with a proactive approach to your defense, allows us to build a powerful and compelling defense strategy.

Below, we’ve provided a list of the criminal charges we’ve successfully gotten dismissed or acquitted.

• Theft Crimes: Theft crimes is a general category of charges involving the illegal receipt of someone else’s property. It can be accomplished both through deception (fraud) or violence (robbery). The harshness of a theft crime will depend on other circumstances, such as whether the accused was armed at the time.
• Shoplifting: Shoplifting charges will be determined according to how much was allegedly stolen. Misdemeanor charges are for shoplifting items up to $500, but over that it’s charged as a felony. In either case, attempting to shoplift is enough to be charged.
• Misdemeanors: The lesser degree of crime in Georgia, but still punishable by up to $1,000 fine and 12 months in jail on each charge.
• Violent Crimes: Georgia harshly punishes violent crimes of all types. Rape, manslaughter, and murder charges all face long prison sentences. When facing a violent crime, it’s vital to have a lawyer who has defended clients from these charges before.
• Murder: Our team has defended murder cases and knows how to find your best defense given any circumstance.
• Manslaughter: Unlike murder, manslaughter is a lesser (though still serious) homicide charge. It includes “crimes of passion”—homicide by anger or provocation—and accidental deaths, such as killing a pedestrian in a car collision.
• Assault: Charges involving assault hinge on whether the alleged victim feared injury or death. Whatever action or threat of action an individual takes that causes someone else to fear injury or death is considered a form of assault—whether it precedes attempted rape, robbery, or homicide. Assault charges work to magnify your existing penalties and are often attached to other charges. Because this crime relies on the victim’s understanding of the defendant’s motives, it’s not uncommon for people to be falsely accused of assault.
• Battery: Assault charges that accuse the defendant of physically harming the victim are known as battery charges. Battery depends on the proof that physical harm took place. There are 3 types of battery charges, and the penalties can include large fines, mandatory counseling, loss of parental rights, and imprisonment.
• Involuntary Manslaughter: Involuntary manslaughter is a homicide charge that is triggered when a person dies due to an accident during the commission of a non-felony crime. It is also triggered when a person is killed unintentionally during the commission of a lawful action in an unlawful way.
• Drug Crimes: Drug offenses include a wide range of actions, from possession to manufacturing to trafficking. While each of them range in severity of the penalties, the type and volume of drug you’re accused of carrying will determine whether you’re facing a misdemeanor or felony charge. Some drug crimes are federal crimes—triggering mandatory minimums.
• Sex Crimes: Sex crimes include a wide number of violent and non-violent charges, from rape and sexual battery to child pornography. Almost all of these charges trigger long prison sentences, can include sex offender registration, and often follow a defendant for the rest of his or her life. Due to the damaging social nature of these charges, individuals sometimes face severe penalties for false accusations.
• Domestic Violence: Domestic violence encompasses a wide range of charges that are committed against family members, former spouses, or roommates and other household members. Domestic violence can include stalking, trespassing, property damage, assault, battery, and sexual violence. However, due to the highly personal nature of these disputes, false domestic violence charges are common—meaning you need an attorney to dismiss the charges as quickly and thoroughly as possible.
• White Collar Crimes: White collar crimes are named for the normal perpetrators of such crimes—upper-level management and executives in corporate settings. Almost all white collar crimes are non-violent financial crimes, often involving fraud or deception of some kind. These include insider trading, computer crimes, identity theft, embezzlement, and similar actions. While these charges aren’t known for prison charges, courts have been known to levy heavy fines against those convicted.

Protect Your Rights with a Skilled Cumming Criminal Defense Attorney

When facing criminal charges, it's crucial to have a skilled and experienced attorney on your side to protect your rights and provide aggressive defense. At Zeliff | Watson, our team of criminal defense attorneys has a proven track record of success in handling a wide range of criminal cases. We understand the complexities of the legal system and are dedicated to providing strategic defense to achieve the best possible outcome for our clients.

By hiring a criminal defense attorney near you, you can benefit from:

• Personalized attention and support throughout the legal process
• In-depth knowledge of local laws and court procedures
• Strategic defense tailored to your unique case
• Protection of your rights and interests
• Potential reduction of charges or penalties

Don't leave your future to chance. Contact our team of experienced criminal defense attorneys today to get the defense you deserve.

Contact a Cumming criminal defense attorney for a complete understanding of the charges you face and how they can be defended.