According to an article recently published by WALB out of Albany, another reason for the rise is that victims don’t want to leave the abusive relationship over the holidays. No matter what the circumstances are, people want to be with their family through the winter months.

As of December 7^th, Albany Police had received 25 calls for domestic incidences. Executive Director of the Liberty House battered women’s shelter, Silke Deeley is quoted as saying “even in the worst case scenarios, people want to be with their families.”

Whether or not a victim of domestic violence wants help, once the police are called they may not have a say in the matter. If the police come upon a domestic assault, they will likely arrest who they believe the aggressor is and a protection order may be issued.

The stressed economy and unemployment numbers is also said to be having an effect on the domestic violence numbers. Unemployment wasn’t an issue in a case out of Guyton, however.

A newly elected alderman who has yet to take his oath, Michael Bernard Johnson, was recently arrested and charged with simple battery, two counts of simple assault, and criminal trespass. Johnson was found to be in a rage on Christmas afternoon where he was throwing his wife’s and children’s possessions out of the house.

Authorities state that Johnson was seen with a loaded semi-automatic pistol according to the Savannah Morning News. Once in the home, police found several pieces of property damaged and the Christmas tree knocked over.

More than likely Johnson will get little sympathy in the court system. Many people view domestic assaults with a particular disdain and the fact that this incident was said to have been triggered by his son’s inability to tie his shoes likely won’t help the matter.

When facing charges of a domestic nature, it is hard to find someone in your corner. Your family relationships and even your friends may turn their back on you. This is when a committed defense attorney can be an invaluable asset.

Contact me today to discuss the charges against you and to see how I might be able to help.

On May 15^th, Sanders and his son in law “Winkie” Hill arrived at the home of Hill and his wife (Sanders’ daughter). The couple had been having difficulty and separated for a while. Upon their arrival at the home they encountered Steven Justin Griffith Sr. whom they suspected was selling drugs to Mrs. Hill.

A fight ensued which landed Griffith in the hospital with a concussion, broken nose, and facial lacerations. Hill now faces charges for the assault that Sanders’ was cleared of.

According to the Athens Banner-Herald, Sanders reportedly served as Sheriff until the age of 71 in the year 2000.

A grand jury hearing serves the same purpose as a commitment or preliminary hearing. It is to establish if there is probable cause to prove someone committed a crime. It does not establish guilt or innocence but merely determines if there is enough evidence for the case to even go to trial.

If the grand jury, or the judge in a preliminary hearing, determines enough probable cause is present the suspect is formally charged or indicted. This marks just one stage in the lengthy criminal courts process.

Not all criminal cases are entitled to a preliminary hearing or grand jury hearing. However, if it is appropriate, the hearing is optional. Deciding whether or not to have such a hearing is one of those things that should be discussed with your attorney.

Because a defense attorney should know the small nuances and particulars of the court system, you should be confident that you have chosen an attorney that will make decisions in the best interest of your case.

If you are facing charges like assault, possession of drugs, or theft, our attorneys are here  to assist you. Contact our Georgia defense lawyers today to discuss the route your case might take within the Georgia court system and the options that are available to you.

Forty one year old Terry Ramsey was killed at the scene by two Richmond County Sheriff’s deputies. The officers were sent to the home at Metcalf Street after the 14 year old son of the couple called police stating that his father was trying to kill his mother.

When the officers arrived they heard screaming, kicked in the door, and found Ramsey holding a knife to his wife’s throat. The officers immediately opened fire, protocol when someone’s life is in immediate danger.

It isn’t clear what caused the fight aside from the fact that the couple may have had a tumultuous relationship. According to NBC Augusta, two children were in the home at the time, the 14 year old who called 911 and an 8 year old daughter.

Domestic violence rarely goes to this extreme although the potential is there. Typically when the police arrive, the fight is over and they are tasked with determining what happened and who, if anyone, should be arrested.

If you have ever been charged with domestic assault, you should know that the police aren’t always correct in their assumptions of what happened. Family disputes can get ugly fast and often aren’t as cut and dry as they might seem to law enforcement.

As a defense attorney I know that domestic assault cases are some of the most difficult to go through. Whether the accusations against you are valid or not, the charges can build rifts in families and forever change relationships.

Family violence laws can be confusing and troublesome to someone who isn’t familiar with the legal system. When your freedom is on the line, you want to ensure you have a hard working advocate on your side, doing what is necessary to help your case.

If you are facing charges of domestic assault or child abuse, you need the help of an experienced Georgia criminal defense lawyer. Call us today so we can talk about the charges against you and how they may affect your future.

Thirty one year old James Kelly Howard is being held in the Clayton County jail on several charges after a dispute that occurred on Arrowhead Boulevard near Riverdale this past Friday night. There’s no indication, at this time, what the dispute was about.

Police got word that Howard was at a home in the 6400 block of Raymond Drive in Union City this past Sunday evening. They also reportedly were told he had purchased a bus ticket and intended on leaving the state. They surrounded the residence and made the arrest in the early Monday morning hours.

The victims, a 37 year old woman and her 15 year old daughter were both taken to the hospital where the elder of the two had serious injuries. According to the Atlanta Journal Constitution, she was stabbed multiple times while her daughter was stabbed once as she was fleeing the scene.

Under Georgia law, this is considered a domestic violence dispute. It goes to show that a pair does not have to be married or even currently in a relationship in order to be considered domestic in nature.

Howard now faces charges of cruelty to children, possession of a weapon during the commission of a crime, and two counts of aggravated assault. He has the potential to spend several years behind bars with charges like these.

Assault charges are taken very seriously, but taken even more seriously when they are domestic in nature and when they involve a child.

When facing charges like these it is easy to feel as if you are being judged even before you go before the courts. Such charges carry a social stigma unlike many others.

If you are charged with an assault crime or accused of hurting someone you care about, you need the expertise of an aggressive and hard working defense attorney. Our experienced Georgia defense attorneys can be of critical assistance during times like these.

Having handled multiple domestic violence cases in the state, our lawyers know what to expect and can help you work though this difficult legal problem.