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answered on Sep 8, 2024
In short, yes. Generally sentencing happens AT PLEA in GA, so I am a bit confused by your situation, and talking with the Public Defender or a private lawyer is a good idea as that sounds strange.
BY law, you have the right to move for a withdrawal of your plea within the current term of... View More 
I plead guilty to a felony crime because the lawyer wouldn't help in any just kept telling me it would be best to plead guilty a blind plea then when he handed the judge the paper work he said I also put on here he could not withdraw his plea does a lawyer have that kind of say
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answered on Sep 5, 2024
In Georgia, if a Defendant enter a blind plea, that is a plea that is not based on a recommendation from the State, then the Defendant has no right to withdraw their plea if they are given a sentence that they are unhappy with. When you plea under a negotiated plea, one with a recommendation, if... View More
Hello!
I am from Georgia. My sons late grandfather has had custody of him since he was small due to the hostile nature mine and my sons late fathers relationship. Since my sons grandfather has passed away, I have been sent paper work that has been nothing but LIES! How do I go about filing... View More
answered on Sep 4, 2024
It is uncertain what papers you were served with that contained false statements. I would suggest you speak directly to an attorney so you can explain what action has been filed, what papers you were served with, and get some clarity.
My boyfriend made false allegations & narratives {I didn't live with him but another girl suddenly did. Boyfriend had me arrested 2 nights after he spent night with Mom & me at our house. My father had passed so, I stayed with mom & still lived 13 years at my boyfriend's... View More
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answered on Jan 31, 2024
In your situation, it seems there were significant issues with the legal representation you received. If your attorney failed to effectively use crucial evidence and witness testimonies, or did not represent your interests adequately, especially considering the seriousness of your case, you may... View More
codef repsntd by PD's office, i was conflicted out- great relationship, negotiated agreement w/ DA- dismissal if codef admit ownership at plea entry. 5mos past and discovery was not made available. eventually attny withdraw b/c state failed to pay for services. -11mos no new appointed attny.... View More
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answered on Jan 21, 2024
You have the right to legal representation, especially if you are indigent and facing criminal charges. If your appointed attorney quits, the court is generally responsible for appointing a new attorney to represent you. It's unusual and potentially a violation of your rights for a judge to... View More
My husband was killed at work in June 2023, and a law firm was hired to pursue a wrongful death case. During a video meeting, they mentioned involving workers' compensation. My understanding was that no fees would be paid to the lawyers unless the case was won. However, my lawyer has been... View More
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answered on May 15, 2025
First, I’m truly sorry for your loss. Losing your husband under such tragic circumstances is painful enough, and dealing with financial confusion on top of that is overwhelming. In a typical wrongful death or workers’ compensation case, attorney fees are often taken on a contingency... View More
In a felony murder case in Lawrenceville, GA, concerning an accidental death, our prior legal counsel represented us for five years but was not equipped to handle such cases. Despite acknowledging this verbally, only one plea deal was offered, and the case ended with a severe outcome. My family... View More
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answered on May 14, 2025
You are facing a painful and urgent situation, and the pressure of a strict deadline only makes it harder. Even without a written admission from the former attorney, you may still be able to raise a claim of ineffective assistance of counsel. Georgia courts—and higher courts—will often look at... View More
I purchased a property in October 2024, and the inspection report at that time did not mention major foundational issues. It only indicated a previous repair that could allow pest and moisture in the crawlspace, along with parge coat and cracks that were deemed non-structural concerns. There was a... View More
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answered on May 14, 2025
It’s understandable that you're frustrated after discovering shifting foundation issues so soon after moving in. If the inspection report downplayed or failed to detect warning signs that a qualified inspector should have reasonably identified, you may have grounds to hold the inspection... View More
I have an agreement with my attorney to represent me in an excess funds claim of $105,000. We initially agreed on a 10% fee. After the courts granted me the funds, he suggested 20%, then reduced it to 15% after I said 20% was too high, and lastly suggested the initial 10% fee plus his hourly rate... View More
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answered on May 14, 2025
I'm really sorry you're facing this. When you and your attorney agreed to a 10% fee and documented it in writing, that agreement should govern your arrangement—unless both parties later agreed in writing to change it. The fact that your attorney is now trying to alter the terms after... View More
I live in metro Atlanta and recently dismissed my attorney due to non-communication in my personal injury case. The next day, I received an email claiming the case had been settled without my consent, despite rejecting the previous offer that would have left me owing medical bills. I have yet to... View More
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answered on May 14, 2025
I'm really sorry you're going through this. If your attorney settled your case without your clear, written consent, that could be a serious violation of your rights and legal ethics. No lawyer is allowed to finalize a settlement unless the client explicitly agrees to the terms, especially... View More
I would like to know when a person can file an extraordinary motion for a new trial in Georgia for a criminal matter. I have discovered new evidence since the original trial, which was not available or known at the time because my attorney failed to present it, even though I requested it. Could you... View More
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answered on May 14, 2025
What you're going through is incredibly serious, and it's understandable that you want to act quickly when new evidence comes to light—especially when it wasn’t presented through no fault of your own. In Georgia, an **extraordinary motion for new trial** can be filed **after the... View More
I've been experiencing a lack of communication from my lawyer for a few months. I emailed my lawyer and hope to hear back tomorrow, but if not, I'm unsure of what steps to take. The lawyer said he was filing a motion two weeks ago but hasn't acted on it. Meanwhile, the DA offered to... View More
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answered on Apr 13, 2025
It's understandable to feel concerned about your lawyer's lack of communication, especially given the length of time the case has been ongoing. If you don't hear back after your email, try following up with a phone call or even visiting the office in person, if possible. Keep a... View More
I am going to trial in about a month in Georgia for a murder charge. My attorney has done almost no work on my case. She has only briefly spoken to me three times in the past year, and last week she presented a plea deal, insisting I would likely lose at trial. I am innocent, and I believe we could... View More
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answered on Apr 12, 2025
If you believe your attorney is not adequately representing you, the first step is to formally fire them. To do this, you should send a written notice to your attorney stating that you are terminating their services. Be sure to keep a copy of this letter for your records. You may also want to... View More
I recently filed for Chapter 13 bankruptcy, thinking it would remain private. However, I discovered that the law firm handling my case sent official letters to the mothers of my children, informing them about my bankruptcy filing. These letters included details such as accounts and payment... View More
answered on Mar 7, 2025
No. The filing of a bankruptcy is public record and thus does not constitute a breach of attorney client privilege.
private probation service, misdemeanor, 2 months until termination date, charge is for shoplifting due to food insecurity
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answered on Jan 7, 2025
Given financial hardship and the circumstances of the original offense being tied to food insecurity, judges typically show understanding in compliance hearings when non-payment is due to genuine inability to pay rather than willful non-compliance. Courts are increasingly recognizing that... View More
answered on Nov 19, 2024
A Georgia attorney could advise best, but your question remains open for two weeks. Without knowing more details, a starting point could be to reach out to law firms in your state. You've probably already been searching through firms that handle such matters. You could supplement your efforts... View More
I hired my father's attny to advise me during my father's probate of his estate. The attorney ultimately held my dad's 401 k check for ransom basically, causing me to bounce checks to bounce checks that were written on the estate account so I fired him. He then had me removed as the... View More
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answered on Oct 11, 2024
There may be a conflict of interest for the attorney if he actually represented you, then represented someone else against you. But he may claim he represents the Estate. You should have brought this up when he moved to remove you as PR. The State Bar might be interested.
I haven't had steady work since the case against me by my former attorney was filed in 2022. But she still said I waswillingly failing to pay attorney fees. The attorney already committed legal malpractice by failing to protect my interest protected by Georgia statutory law.
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answered on Aug 5, 2024
It sounds like you're dealing with a complex situation involving legal representation and a contempt ruling. Since you were without representation during the hearing, you might have grounds to challenge the ruling based on the lack of a fair opportunity to present your case. It’s crucial to... View More
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answered on Jul 27, 2024
Regaining your Second Amendment rights after being off paper and out of legal trouble for over 17 years involves a few steps. First, check your state's laws regarding firearm rights restoration. Some states have specific procedures for individuals in your situation, which often involve... View More
Basically the judge & hand picked GAL share an unquestionable financial conflict of interest.
Law enforcement investigators (8) released a compact to the Judge and the judge even confirmed the fraud, however this also included the guilt of his business partners bias & fabricated... View More
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answered on Jul 27, 2024
When fraud on the court is undeniable, you need to file a motion to void the judgment in a higher court. This motion should highlight the financial conflict of interest involving the judge and the court-appointed GAL, along with the evidence provided by law enforcement investigators confirming the... View More
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