A domestic violence charge is always serious, even if it’s your first time. Talk to an Augusta, GA criminal defense lawyer as soon as you can, and take the following steps to protect yourself as you seek the best outcome.

How Should I Handle a First-Time Domestic Violence Charge in Augusta, GA?

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If you bring a claim for personal injury after an auto accident, one of the key things you’ll need to do is to prove that your injuries were a direct result of the accident. A personal injury attorney in Augusta, GA can help you find all the evidence you need and put it together to show what truly happened.

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If you’ve been injured in a store, you may have options to bring a personal injury claim. However, these claims can be complicated, and it’s always best to talk to a personal injury attorney in Augusta, GA to find out if you have a good claim and how to bring it.

What Are My Legal Options If I’m Injured in a Negligently Maintained Augusta, GA Store?

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When you’ve been injured in an accident that is someone else’s fault, you can bring a claim to be reimbursed for your losses and damages. Since it can take a while for these claims to go through, it’s common to need some help with the medical bills. Talk with a personal injury attorney in Augusta, GA today to find out more about what a medical lien means for your particular case and how to protect yourself.

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Distracted driving is against the law in Georgia, which has had a hands-free law in place since 2018. This law makes it illegal to use a cell phone in any way in your hand or supported by your body while you’re behind the wheel of a car: even if stopped at a light. If someone was distracted by their phone and caused an accident, talk to a personal injury lawyer in Augusta, GA about your rights and how to prosecute them under Georgia law.

To get compensation from someone, you have to show that they are liable for what happened to you. Liability is determined by showing negligence. Negligence happens when someone has a duty of care towards you and fails in that duty.

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If you’ve been injured by someone else’s negligence in an accident, you have the right to recover losses and damages, including your lost wages if you’ve been prevented from going to work as normal. An Augusta, GA personal injury lawyer can help you figure what wages you’ve lost accurately and make sure you get everything you are owed from the liable party.

To get compensation, you will need to properly calculate your lost wages and be able to show that your time away from work was caused directly by the injuries you sustained in the accident.

Tags: Personal Injury, Work Injury
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The legal process involved in adopting a child requires strict compliance with Georgia law. Whether you are adopting a stepchild, a relative, or a child through an agency, legal counsel from an adoption lawyer in Augusta, GA, can help protect your rights and ensure the adoption proceeds smoothly. At Davis, Chapman, & Wilder, we are prepared to help you understand every step and to advocate for your family.  

Understanding Adoption Requirements 

Georgia has detailed legal requirements for adopting a child, and these requirements vary depending on the type of adoption, the child’s age, and the relationship between the child and the prospective parent. You must meet eligibility standards, follow appropriate procedures for terminating parental rights, and complete all the required home studies and background checks.

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In Georgia, the criminal justice system treats most minors under the age of 17 as juveniles. However, in specific cases involving serious offenses, the law allows minors to be prosecuted as adults. At Davis, Chapman, & Wilder, we help families understand how Georgia law applies when a juvenile is accused of a felony or a violent crime. The decision to move a minor’s case into adult court carries long-term consequences and is governed by clear legal procedures that an experienced juvenile lawyer in Augusta, GA, can help clients navigate.

Georgia law allows minors to be tried as adults under several circumstances. The legal basis depends on the age of the minor and the nature of the charge. Under the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, certain offenses automatically fall under the jurisdiction of the Superior Court if the child is at least 13 years old and the charge involves a more serious crime such as murder, rape, armed robbery with a firearm, and other violent felonies.

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Choosing to adopt a child is one of the biggest decisions you’ll ever make. However, there are complex rules that aim to safeguard the child, which can make the application process difficult. A local adoption attorney in Augusta, GA can provide invaluable guidance, helping you present a strong case and avoid disqualification where possible.

Eligibility Rules for Adoption in Georgia

In Georgia, there are multiple possible routes to adopt a child, including public adoptions through the Georgia Department of Family and Children Services, agency adoptions, and privately organized adoptions. Regardless of the option you choose, there are basic eligibility criteria that you must fulfill:

• Aged at least 21, or married and living with your spouse
• Resident of Georgia when the petition is filed
• At least 10 years older than the child (unless you are a stepparent)
• Physically, mentally, and financially able to have permanent custody

In addition to fulfilling the above criteria, every person who wants to adopt must undergo a full evaluation. During the evaluation process, checks will be carried out to ascertain whether there are any factors that would make the potential parents unsuitable.

Tags: Adoption in Georgia
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If you’re being prosecuted for a crime in Augusta, GA, the classification is significant. A felony carries heavier penalties, including higher fines and a longer potential jail sentence. In contrast, a misdemeanor carries a maximum sentence of 12 months in jail and a fine of up to $1,000. A criminal defense lawyer can provide personalized advice, including whether the charges will be a felony or misdemeanor and whether they may be reduced.

Title 16 of the Georgia Code determines whether a crime is classified as a felony or misdemeanor. However, some crimes known as “wobblers” can be charged as either, depending on the circumstances. Any aggravating factors will be taken into account, together with your personal history.

The prosecutor has discretion in deciding whether to bring felony or misdemeanor charges. An experienced attorney may be able to negotiate with the prosecutor to secure a lower misdemeanor charge.

Plea Bargain

A plea bargain is a formal agreement between the defense and the prosecutor. In exchange for agreeing to plead guilty without going to trial, the prosecutor may agree to reduce the charges. This means a felony charge may be lowered to a misdemeanor.

A prosecutor may not always initially agree to reduce a felony to a misdemeanor. Other options include reducing the sentence but not the charge, or withholding aggravating facts to make the case more favorable to the defense. Successfully securing a plea bargain that reduces a felony to a misdemeanor requires an attorney with strong negotiation skills. A positive relationship with the prosecutor can also be beneficial.

Changes to Sentencing

In some cases, the charges remain classified as a felony but the judge may issue a more lenient sentence. This is only possible if you meet certain criteria and the felony is less than 10 years in jail. When this occurs, a felony conviction will still be recorded but the sentence follows the misdemeanor guidelines. The precedent for this was established in Ramsey v Powell (1979).

Not all felonies qualify for this type of sentence reduction. You will also have a greater chance of a felony being reduced if this is your first offense.

How Can a Criminal Defense Lawyer Help?

Your lawyer will advocate on your behalf, leveraging their knowledge of the legal system to negotiate for a felony charge reduction. Even if the prosecutor does not agree to reduce the charge, an experienced attorney may be able to get the felony dismissed at trial. For example, a charge of first-degree homicide by vehicle may be reduced to a lesser offense, such as distracted driving.

The negotiating skills and experience of your attorney can be pivotal in determining the final charges you face. It’s strongly advisable to appoint an attorney at the earliest opportunity.

We understand the impact that criminal charges can have on your life. By providing compassionate and dedicated legal counsel, we can help you to achieve the best possible outcome. Contact us today at Davis, Chapman, & Wilder in Augusta, GA to learn more. 

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