Legal Question in Criminal Law in Georgia

Re: Use of diversion

If the federal public defender is unaware of such a program, then I seriously doubt one exists in that federal district. Despite the reputation they may have in some circles, federal public defenders are generally on their game. The fact that he is manic-depressive could be offered in mitigation at sentencing. At the federal level the sentencing phase is typically where all the action is anyway. [Experience being drawn from federal drug prosecutions and the two federal prosecutions for sex crimes I have been involved with dealt with child porn. Needless to say, the US Attorney or the federal district judge wasnt looking to cut those men any breaks and they were being tried in federal court for the specific reason of the harsher sentences available.] If you are unsatisfied with his representation then private counsel could always be retained. Another option, if it is available to your friend, is to have his prosecution sent to state court. Sentencing is almost always more attractive in state court and there is the possibility of probation, which doesnt exist at the federal level.