It is very fulfilling to have this kind of impact and leaves me feeling that I am truly making a difference.
While it is important to steer the young to a crime-free-life, the not-so-young can also become crime-free and productive citizens. They also have expressed their gratitude to me.
The previously cited cases were accomplished through “plea bargains.” However, sometimes trials are unavoidable. The case that I remember most involved an aggravated assault.
My client was observed by several people while he was pointing a pistol at another group of individuals. He was firing shots. No one was hurt but everyone was frightened.
Despite the evidence, my client insisted on a trial. This is everyone’s right. He claimed that he was only playing and did not intend to harm anyone.
Despite a vigorous defense, he was convicted. He was sentenced to a very lenient two years.
Several years later, I was sent an invitation to attend a new church. Intrigued, I attended. To my surprise, the Pastor was my client! He expressed the opinion that because he received a sentence for less than he deserved, he was able to turn his life around. He thanked me for my efforts and I thanked him for sharing his successes with me!
“Thank you for discussing my case so clearly and honestly-with me and with my parents. Even though I gave my permission, you were not required to spend so much time with my folks. It made them feel so much better.”
“You are a wonderful attorney! It is easy to see that you really care about your clients! I got probation, no jail time, and you even stayed in touch with me when my case was over.
Thank you!”
I just wanted to write you a thank you letter for helping out my daughter… She is getting her life together and getting past all of this. Thank you so much for being such a fast acting attorney who knows what he needs to do.
“You worked so hard for me–your fees are more than reasonable and you did a wonderful job for me in keeping me out of a trial situation!”
“You came to see me in jail when I asked and was scared.
Thanks so much!”
“Mr. Adams, you answered all my questions and always got back to us promptly!”
“Ed, you worked so diligently on my son’s case! I couldn’t believe the fee you charged for all the work you did!”
“Ed, you are a wonderful negotiator! You were able to plea bargain my childs case and avoid a trial!”
‘Our son was so frightened when he made the mistake of shoplifting. You were so wonderful about reassuring him and us, and you got him probation as well as a referral to a community program. He got back to a normal AND crime-free life with no time served!
Thank you!”
“Ed, My child’s felony charge was reduced to a misdemeanor–probation only–and I think he learned his lesson. So many attorneys promise things that they don’t deliver. I was impressed with your own moral character I think it is giving him the courage to live up to your faith in him.
Thank you!”
Hello Ed! I wanted to send you a letter to let you know how much that I appreciate all that you have done for me. I’ve listened to some real horror stories about the lack of representation. I’m so very fortunate that my mother brought me to your firm. That the representation you gave me was excellent. I realize that the respect that the D.A. has for you and your firm is the reason for the leniency that I was given. I would also like to say thank you for taking a few minutes out of your day to visit me. It is unusual to me for someone I’ve known for such a short time to show me the kindness you have.
The practice of law is very rewarding. Most of all, is the gratitude of my clients when I am successful and their lives are restored! These are some of my favorite experiences:
I represented a seventeen-year old charged with armed-robbery. He faced a mandatory minimum prison sentence of ten years. I was able to reduce to a lesser charge and he had to do time but for only one year. He was also able to serve under the First Offender Statute (no conviction). this was an individual that had an extensive juvenile record. After my experience with him he remained out of trouble.
One day, I received a call from this client. He thanked me for “saving his life.” He told me that he had completed his GED while he was in prison and that as of his call to me, he was attending college.
An eighteen year-old client of mine had been an “All American” student. She was voted Most Popular and Best Dressed by her classmates. However, she had a problem. The clothes that she wore were stolen from major stores. Her “luck” finally ran out when she was arrested for felony shoplifting. The arrest had a profound effect on her. She felt remorseful and desired to change her life.
I was able to convince the prosecutor to allow her to enter a diversion program which she successfully completed and the charges were dismissed. Today, this young girl is a valued employee at a woman’s fashion store. She keeps in touch and credits me with her turn around.
There are several more cases involving young adults where their lives have changed considerably due to my interventions.
Below are different case with their outcome. I do not add names or case numbers to protect my clients.
Theft of Services probation
Robbery 5 years to serve l-balance probation
Carrying a Concealed Weapon probation
Possession of Cocaine with Intent probation
Forgery probation
Armed Robbery reduced to Robbery-l0 years to serve 3
Criminal Damage to Property Pre-Trial Diversion
Obstruction of Law Enforcement Officer Pre-Trial Diversion
Public Drunkenness probation
Aggravated Assault probation
Residential Burglary l0 years to serve 2
Entering Auto probation
Terroristic Threats probation
Criminal Damage to Property Pre-Trial Diversion
Possession of Marijuana with Intent probation
Affray (fighting) Pre-trial Diversion
Disorderly Conduct Pre-Trial Diversion
Loitering or Prowling probation
Aggravated Assault probation
Possession of Cocaine with Intent probation
Carrying a Weapon Without a License probation
Carrying a Concealed Weapon probation
Trafficking Cocaine-reduced to Possession With Intent to Distribute. Sentenced to probation.
Possession of Cocaine probation
Aggravated Assault probation
Felony Murder reduced to Involuntary Manslaughter. 6 years to serve.
Theft by taking reduce to theft by receiving probation
Forgery lst Degree dismissed
Aggravated Assault probation
Felony Murder reduced to Involuntary Manslaughter. 6 years to serve
Possession of Marijuana Pre-trial Diversion
Possession of Cocaine With Intent To Distribute reduced to Simple Possession-senenced to probation.
Burglary reduced to Theft by receiving-probation
Robbery reduced to Theft by Taking Probation
Felony Murder reduced to Involuntary Manslaughter 6 years to serve
Financial Transaction Card Fraud dismissed
Robbery probation
Shoplifting Pre-trial Diversion dismissed on completion of program
Theft by Taking dismissed
Aggravated Assault probation
Trafficking in Cocaine l0 years to serve 3
Credit Card Fraud probation
Entering Auto probation
Disorderly Conduct Pre-Trial Diversion
Loitering or Prowling probation
Forgery probation
Financial Transaction Card Fraud dismissed
All of these cases seemed like easy convictions for the prosecution. That goes to prove that the system works if handled properly.
I had a client who was charged with kidnapping his ex-wife. The case went to trial and the jury returned a “not guilty” verdict.
Another client was charged with felony murder, recently. I got the charge reduced to involuntary manslaughter.
Client charged with battery. Jury returned a “not guilty” verdict.
I represented a man charged with armed-robbery. He faced a mandatory minimum prison sentence of ten years. I was able to reduce to a lesser charge and he had to do time but for only one year. He was also able to serve under the First Offender Statute (no conviction). This was an individual that had an extensive juvenile record.
An eighteen year-old client of mine had been an “All American” student. She was voted Most Popular and Best Dressed by her classmates. However, she had a problem. The clothes that she wore were stolen from major stores. Her “luck” finally ran out when she was arrested for felony shoplifting. The arrest had a profound effect on her. She felt remorseful and desired to change her life.
I was able to convince the prosecutor to allow her to enter a diversion program which she successfully completed and the charges were dismissed. Today, this young girl is a valued employee at a woman’s fashion store. She keeps in touch and credits me with her turn around.
Atlanta Criminal Defense Practice AreasCrimes are crimes committed by individuals. Many attribute the rise in crime to the increased availability of street drugs, growing levels of poverty, and inadequate prevention and intervention programs in schools.
I do provide criminal defense for adults. If you have gotten in trouble with the law feel free to go to my free case evaluation and submit your case to me to review. I will get back to you as soon as possible.
Crimes are separated into two separate groups, felonies and misdemeanors. Misdemeanors are those crimes punishable by imprisonment of one year or less, and include crimes like DUI, resisting arrest without violence, loitering and prowling, and disorderly intoxication.
Felonies and misdemeanors are then further broken down by degrees. The break down into degrees is used to differentiate the level of severity of a particular type of crime. Given that explanation, the analysis of the different level of crimes is easy.
Misdemeanors a lesser crime punishable by a fine and/or county jail time for up to one year. Typical misdemeanors include: petty theft, disturbing the peace, simple assault and battery, drunk driving without injury to others, drunkenness in public, various traffic violations and public nuisances.
Felonies are those crimes punishable by imprisonment of more than one year. They include rape, murder, robbery, kidnapping, drug trafficking, and some ‘white collar’ crimes.
Capital crimes are those select crimes viewed as the most heinous and the most severely punished. Capital crimes are punishable by death. That doesn’t mean that every person convicted of a capital offense will be sentenced to death.
1st Degree Offenses are punishable by imprisonment of not more than 30 years in most circumstance.
Second degree offenses are next and consist of crimes punishable by no more than 15 years in prison.
Third degree offenses carry a punishment term of five years or less. Common examples are assault, battery, theft, fraud and various drug possession charges.
I have practiced criminal defense since 1983. I have represented defendants charged with every imaginable crime including murder!
As a Criminal Defense Attorney in Atlanta I have seen prosecutors walk away winning many cases due to the fact that the defendant was not represented with competent criminal defense lawyer. I know the laws and the procedures to stop that from happening to your case.
Before you go anywhere else, please go to my FREE case evaluation form and fill it out or feel free to call me 404.584.5060.
I promise the turn around in hearing from me is short lived because I know you need legal advice.
Everyone is entitled to a defense. This is ingrained in our psyche.
But it is not universally accepted.
It is important to understand the court system in georgia, your rights as a US citizen and what are the base charges there are for your case.
Misdemeanor Possession of Controlled Substance DISMISSED
Felony Possession of Controlled Substance 5 YRS PROBATION
Misdemeanor Driving while license suspeneded DISMISSED
‘Our son was so frightened when he made the mistake of shoplifting. You were so wonderful about reassuring him and us, and you got him probation as well as a referral to a community program. He got back to a normal AND crime-free life with no time served! Thank you!”
