Legal Question in Criminal Law in Georgia

Re: Do I need a Attorney?

We will be more than happy to help. Please give us a call, and I can at least tell you what our firm can do to help. If this is your first interaction with the criminal justice system and it is a more lenient jurisdiction, we may be able to get your case dismissed. Our phone number is 404-816-5000, or you can email us at [email protected]. We look forward to hearing from you.

Sincerely

Meg Strickler

Conaway & Strickler, PC

Re: Do I need a Attorney?

To really answer your question...yes you seem to need an attorney to discuss plea bargains with the county solicitor. In the Atlanta area, this should run you about $500 to a $1,000. If this is your first offense, you may be able to take advantage of first time offender treatment. If you really cannot afford an attorney, then I would reapply to the Court for court appointed counsel--and be prepared to show through paystubs, ect. that you are "indigent." You could also apply to your church, family or other sources of emergency cash. (Please don't do what many others in your situation do...wait until the day before your hearing to start trying to hire an attorney--it's too stressful to you and your attorney. Act with diligence and keep the Court informed of your situation.)

If worst comes to worst (and I mean this is last resort stuff), then you could try to discuss the matter with the solicitor yourself or, if the opportunity presented itself, the judge. Simply explain the incident to him/her and that this is your first arrest....yadda, yadda, yadda. You get the point. Although, the facts of your case seem rather strange and incomplete. If you do go talk with the solicitor then you should be as prepared as you can possibly be. If you are lucky then he/she may even take pity on you.

That said, I would do my best to hire an attorney. It would be less stressful and confusing to you, and your outcome would more than likely be a better one. Either way I wish you the best of luck.