Savannah Criminal Defense Attorney
Stacey Goad is one of Georgia’s most trusted criminal defense attorneys.
Coastal Georgia’s Choice for Serious Criminal and DUI Defense.
From bond hearings to jury trials, our criminal defense law firm provides aggressive legal representation. I am a criminal defense attorney based out of Savannah, Georgia fighting for the rights of good people, just like you, accused of criminal conduct in the Coastal Empire and beyond.
For years, I practiced as a prosecuting attorney in metro Atlanta and Savannah, Georgia. Now, I use that experience to benefit you at my Savannah criminal defense law firm by upholding your constitutional rights and zealously defending you at every stage of the criminal process. I used to build cases for the State of Georgia. Now, I tear them apart. That’s exactly what I do for my clients every day.
If you or someone you love has a legal question- do not wait. The worst mistake you can make is to hesitate. Contact my criminal defense law firm now for a free consultation.
Law enforcement can, and will, use any permissible tactic to convict you of a crime. Make sure you have an aggressive Savannah advocate on your side to prevent this from happening.
Stacey M. Goad | Criminal Defense Attorney, Savannah, GA
912-209-9000 | [email protected]
Learn More About Each of Our Practice Areas
Drug Offenses
DUI Cases
Out Of Town Cases
Violent Crimes
Sex Crimes
What Our Satisfied Clients Say About Us
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“Great!!” POSTED BY SPRADLEY ON JUNE 28 See All of Stacey Goad’s Reviews on Avvo |
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Stacey provided excellent professional representation in my case, with the resolution better than I could have hoped for! I would absolutely recommend her to anyone who finds themselves in need of an exceptional attorney. She is the Real Deal. POSTED BY “SAVANNAH MAN” IN FEBRUARY 2019 See All of Stacey Goad’s Reviews on Google |
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“Worth Every Penny” That other lawyer never even tried to get me a bond. I had my mom call Stacey back and hire her. Stacey visited me immediately and got me out of jail ASAP!!! Then she worked out my case so I just have some probation. I think I’d still be in jail if we hadn’t hired her. Don’t be a moron and go cheap, I’d still be in jail. I tell everybody I know she’s DAMN good! POSTED BY ELEAZAR ON MAR 27 See All of Stacey Goad’s Reviews on Avvo |
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Stacey provided excellent legal representation for my son. She also communicated with me regularly during the entire POSTED BY ELIZABETH IN OCTOBER 20189 See All of Stacey Goad’s Reviews on Google |
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“Sharp, Savvy, Stacey” POSTED BY ED ON MAR 29 See All of Stacey Goad’s Reviews on Avvo |
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I bumped into Stacy and I can’t believe she still remembered me. She got my charges dropped down and I took my first offenders. Thats been years ago. When she saw me she remembered me and even asked if Id gone to school for music like I hoped back then. She’s a good lawyer and really cares. I’m never going to need her again but if somebody reading this does I know you should call her 1st POSTED BY J IN FEBRUARY 2019 See All of Stacey Goad’s Reviews on Google |
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“The BEST Lawyer in Savannah !!!!” POSTED BY KIM ON JUNE 5th See All of Stacey Goad’s Reviews on Avvo |
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We first tried to allow a public defender to help my son but we needdd communication and some assurance the lawyer could really Help us. We waited a long time and then called around. We hired a lawyer but never heard from him again. We were at our wits end when we found Stacey Goad. She made all the difference. She handled the situation and in the meantime she emailed us any time she had an update and we were able to get our questions andwered whenever we had them. It took a long time but the wait was worth it and her level needs to be known. POSTED BY DALLAS IN NOVEMBER 2018 See All of Stacey Goad’s Reviews on Google |
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“Someone to Trust When You Need It” POSTED BY CLIENT ON APR 16 See All of Stacey Goad’s Reviews on Avvo |
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“Best Attorney Ever” POSTED BY DEBBIE ON JAN 27 See All of Stacey Goad’s Reviews on Avvo |
- Savannah, GA, Criminal Defense Lawyer
- Classification of Criminal Offenses in Georgia
- Typical Penalties Upon a Criminal Conviction
- What Goad Law Can Do For Your Criminal Defense
Savannah, GA, Criminal Defense Lawyer
If you or a family member has been arrested and charged with a criminal offense in Savannah, Georgia, you’ll need to establish a suitable criminal defense in court or face possible conviction.
Criminal defense involves the attempts of an accused person to fight their charges in court, including disproving the prosecution’s evidence. For jury trials, the criminal defense process would also involve canvassing arguments to convince jury members of the defendant’s innocence.
Criminal law is a complex area of law and involves many technicalities. In many cases, you’ll need professional help from criminal defense attorneys to pull through successfully.
A criminal defense attorney is one whose practice is focused on representing and defending those facing criminal charges. They understand the rules that govern criminal trials, and their goal is to help you formulate a defense strategy that would lead to a beneficial outcome for you as you face the criminal justice system.
Your choice of a criminal defense attorney in many cases can make or mar your case, so it is important to choose wisely, having regard to the attorney’s skill and reputation.
Classification of Criminal Offenses in Georgia
Criminal Offenses in Georgia are classified according to their severity as follows:
Felonies
A felony in Georgia is any crime punishable by death, imprisonment for life, or more than twelve months. These are the most serious class of offenses and include violent crimes such as murder, kidnapping, and armed robbery.
Misdemeanors
Misdemeanors are generally less severe than felonies and include crimes such as simple assault or battery or a first-time DUI.
The penalty for a misdemeanor could be more severe if the crime is elevated to a misdemeanor of a high and aggravated nature. This usually happens in cases where the victim of the offense is specially protected under the law or if the crime occurs in a designated public area.
For example, a simple assault is punished as a high and aggravated misdemeanor if :
- The victim is a pregnant woman
- The victim is an employee in the public school system while discharging their duties
- The assault occurred in a public transit vehicle or station.
Sometimes ordinary misdemeanor offenses could be elevated to felonies if the accused is a repeat offender. For instance, the crime of theft by shoplifting is generally charged as a misdemeanor. But if the accused person has three prior shoplifting convictions, then the fourth will be charged and punished as a felony.
Typical Penalties Upon a Criminal Conviction
If you’re found guilty of a crime, the penalties may vary depending on the severity of the crime but generally include the following:
- Imprisonment
- Payment of fines
- Probation
- Community service
- Driver’s license suspension for DUI offenses
- Registration in the state sex offenders register for sex crimes
- Death
- Forfeiture of the proceeds of crime
- Restitution
Besides the statutory penalties, a conviction affects your personal life even after serving your sentence. Your criminal history might make it challenging to get a job, a place to live, or get into your choice college. This is because criminal records are public and can be accessed by third parties, such as prospective employers or landlords, unless the appropriate court orders otherwise.
As such, it is crucial that you do all you can to avoid being convicted. Having an experienced criminal defense attorney represent you as soon as you are arrested and throughout the case is a good idea.
What Goad Law Can Do For Your Criminal Defense
It is important to remember that you have the right to an attorney during your criminal trial. You can request a court-appointed attorney from the Georgia Public Defender Council at any time during the legal process. However, an overworked public defender with many cases might not be your best option. Your case would likely fare better with a criminal defense attorney with sufficient time and resources to dedicate to your case.
By analyzing the facts of your case and the evidence against you, your lawyer can develop a suitable defense strategy to help you avoid harsh penalties.
In some cases, the prosecution may offer you certain concessions, such as reduced charges or a reduced sentence, and ask that you plead guilty in return. A plea bargain may seem appealing to you when the odds are against you, but it can have serious repercussions, so it is not a decision to be taken lightly. Your criminal defense attorney can negotiate better terms on your behalf to help you make an informed decision regarding whether or not to accept a plea bargain.
Cases Goad Law Can Assist You With
At Goad Law, our criminal defense lawyers offer legal representation for different kinds of felonies and misdemeanors. Our practice areas include the following practice areas:
- Bond
- DUI Defense
- Sex crimes
- Kidnapping
- Theft
- Drug crimes
- Murder
- Violent crimes, including assault and battery
Schedule a free consultation to discuss the specifics of your case with seasoned criminal defense lawyers.
Still Have Questions About Your Criminal Defense? Contact an Experienced Criminal Defense Law Firm in Savannah, Georgia
At Goad Law, we are committed to defending our clients aggressively and doing our best to help them reach a positive outcome with their criminal case.
Our seasoned criminal defense lawyer attorney Stacey Goad is a former prosecutor who is now dedicated to helping people like you fight their criminal charges and works to ensure a positive outcome in each case.
Our knowledgeable and compassionate legal team can provide you with the legal support and guidance you need to come out for your criminal charges successfully. So whether you are facing drug charges, felony charges, or any other legal issue, you are our top priority.
If you or your loved one are facing legal difficulties with criminal charges in Savannah, Georgia, don’t wait. Contact Us today and schedule a free consultation to get started.
Common Criminal Defense Questions
Which Criminal Offenses Attract the Death Penalty in Georgia?
Death penalty offenses in Georgia include murder, armed robbery, treason, and rape. The stakes are high with such offenses since your life could be affected. If you’re facing such charges, it is essential that you’re represented by a good criminal defense attorney who can help you come up with a suitable defense strategy.
What Is the Georgia Statute of Limitations for Criminal Offenses?
The statute of limitations in criminal cases depends on the nature of the offense in question. For instance, under the Georgia Code, the statutory time limit for misdemeanor crimes is two years, while it is four years in felony cases and seven years for crimes punishable by death or life imprisonment.
There are several exceptions to these statutory time limits. You can contact your attorney to understand how the statute of limitations works and how it can help your criminal defense.