Savannah Gun Crime Lawyer

Savannah Gun Crimes Attorney

It is possible for many criminal offenses to lead to severe penalties such as fines and incarceration, but when firearms are involved, the stakes can be much higher. It’s possible to face prosecution for gun crimes either for misuse of firearms themselves or for the use of a firearm while committing another crime. Whatever your case entails, you need to have an experienced Savannah gun crimes lawyer representing you.

Defense Counsel for Gun Crimes in Savannah, GA

New South Law, LLC, offers client-focused defense representation for a wide range of gun crime cases in Savannah. While the Second Amendment preserves the right of law-abiding Americans to keep and bear arms, it is possible for an individual to face criminal prosecution in many ways related to firearms. If you have been charged with any such offense, it is crucial to speak with a Savannah gun crimes lawyer right away.

Our team will work diligently to help you build an effective and cohesive defense against the charges that have been filed against you. It is important to know and exercise your constitutional rights during an arrest, and any case involving firearms is likely to entail serious penalties if you are convicted. You need an experienced defense attorney who can help you prepare for the proceedings ahead and advocate for you in the courtroom.

The attorneys at New South Law, LLC, have a wide range of professional experience covering many types of criminal law, including local, state, and federal cases, military criminal defense, and much more. When we accept a new case, we immediately meet with our client, listen to their story, and carefully examine the evidence against them. Our goal is case dismissal or acquittal if possible or assisting our client in reducing their sentence as much as possible if necessary.

Know Your Rights During an Arrest for Gun Crimes

Whenever any American citizen is arrested for a criminal offense, two amendments of the US Constitution directly apply to this situation, protecting the individual’s rights in the criminal justice system. The Fifth Amendment preserves the right to remain silent during an arrest, ensuring that the individual is not forced to act as a witness against themselves. The Sixth Amendment ensures the right to legal representation and a speedy trial.

As soon as you are placed under arrest for any crime in Savannah, the arresting officer is required to read you your Miranda rights, which explain your constitutionally protected rights in this situation. Even if you are sure that you have done nothing wrong, exercise your right to remain silent and do not attempt to explain your side of the story to the arresting officer. Remain silent until you can speak with a Savannah gun crimes lawyer you trust to defend you.

Once you have met with your defense attorney, they will review the details of your arrest and booking and verify that your rights have been respected throughout this ordeal. They will look at the evidence against you and the police report from your arrest, helping you to determine your most viable defensive strategies against the charges that have been filed.

Commonly Prosecuted Gun Crimes in Savannah

Many gun crime cases are actually other types of criminal cases involving the use of a firearm, but it is also possible to be prosecuted for the unlawful purchase of a firearm, owning an unregistered firearm, or possession of an illegal firearm. The state’s firearms laws are not as strict as many other states, but state prosecutors take violations of these laws very seriously and tend to pursue convictions aggressively in these cases.

In the state, the constitutional carry law is in effect, so law-abiding citizens over the age of 21 are permitted to carry guns in public without government permits. This applies to anyone who has not been expressly forbidden from owning firearms. There are also no rules preventing a law-abiding citizen from carrying a gun inside their vehicle. Note that every state has unique gun laws, so a resident crossing into another state must comply with that state’s gun laws.

The use of a firearm while committing another crime can make a significant difference in the penalties assigned to the defendant if they are convicted. For example, it is possible for an assault charge to lead to fines, incarceration, and other penalties even if the defendant did not use any type of weapon to commit the offense. However, if a firearm was used, it could escalate their sentence dramatically if convicted.

Some other commonly prosecuted gun crimes include:

• Felon in possession of a firearm. Most convicted felons are prohibited from owning firearms in the future, and violation of this can lead to felony prosecution of 10 or more years in prison. In the state, it is also illegal for anyone to purchase or possess a gun if they are facing pending felony charges in a case that has not yet concluded.
• Sale of a firearm without a license. Only licensed dealers may sell firearms, and private sales of firearms must be coordinated through a licensed dealer.
• Possession or use of a firearm while committing another crime, such as drug trafficking. A defendant in this type of case faces dramatically increased penalties for the offense due to the involvement of a firearm.
• Making any false statements when purchasing a firearm.

It is also vital to understand that many of these gun crimes are federal offenses, meaning the defendant faces prosecution and conviction in the federal court system. The stakes are much higher in federal court than in state court, and it is crucial for defendants in such a case to have an experienced attorney on their side who has proven experience defending clients in federal criminal cases.

Understanding the Burden of Proof in a Criminal Case

In every criminal case tried in the United States, the burden of proof rests with the prosecution, meaning it is the prosecution’s responsibility to prove the defendant’s guilt. The criminal justice system hinges on the concept that the defendant is innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt, and the prosecution must attempt to meet this standard of proof by effectively leveraging evidence and witness testimony.

The defendant does not necessarily need to prove their innocence. However, it would be imprudent to expect the prosecution’s case to fall apart on its own. A plaintiff in any type of gun crime case should work proactively with their attorney to develop a defensive strategy and dismantle the prosecution’s case against them.

Many possible defenses could come into play in a firearms-related criminal case. For example, the defendant may need to prove that the firearm did not belong to them or that they had no knowledge of the firearm’s presence in the situation. They could also attempt to prove lack of intent, mistaken identity, or establish an alibi that proves they could not have committed the crime.

What to Expect From Your Savannah Gun Crimes Lawyer

The right defense attorney on your side can have a tremendous positive impact on the outcome of your impending case in Savannah. The team at New South Law, LLC, not only has the experience needed to handle a wide range of state-level criminal cases but also federal cases that involve firearms violations. We know what could be at stake for you in your upcoming case and want to help you approach the situation with confidence and peace of mind.

When you secure our firm’s representation, we can carefully review the details of your situation, helping you develop defense strategies that increase your chances of avoiding conviction if possible. While the prosecution must prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt, it is the defense attorney’s mission to prevent them from accomplishing this in your case. Our team will closely examine the details of your arrest and booking to ensure due process has been followed.

If you have broken the law, proving innocence is no longer a viable option, but it is still possible to avoid the worst penalties that could be assigned to you if you have a good attorney on your side. Plea bargaining is a process through which the prosecution offers lighter penalties and/or reduced or dropped charges in exchange for a guilty plea that ensures swifter court proceedings.

If such an alternative is a viable option for you, your Savannah gun crimes lawyer may help you secure a far better outcome than you could have expected if you had attempted to fight the charges in court. Ultimately, every case is unique, and there is no single strategy that will work for every defendant. You need an attorney who can address your unique challenges and concerns in your case.

Find Defense Counsel in Savannah Today

You have a limited time to start building your defense, so it is crucial that you connect with a Savannah gun crimes lawyer as quickly as possible. The team at New South Law, LLC, has successfully represented many past clients in these cases, and we are ready to put this experience to work for you in your upcoming gun crimes case. Contact our team today to schedule a consultation and learn how we can help you build your defense.