Richmond Hill Weapons Charges Lawyer

Richmond Hill Weapons Charges Attorney

If you’ve been charged with the possession or use of a weapon, it’s crucial to understand your rights. Weapons charges are serious offenses in Georgia, leaving you to face potential fines, probation, jail time, and additional penalties. Navigating these types of charges can be challenging, which is why it’s wise to consult with a Richmond Hill weapons charges lawyer.

At the offices of Jarrett Maillet J.D., P.C., our team is dedicated to providing personalized legal strategies to each and every one of our clients. We have experience working on complex weapons charges cases in Georgia, involving both misdemeanor and felony charges. Our goal is to provide sound advice and representation that secures you a fair legal process and a favorable outcome in court.

About Georgia Gun Laws

In 2021, there were 20,472 firearms recovered and traced in Georgia. With such a high presence of guns in the state, it’s important to understand your rights when it comes to weapons charges. Since Georgia’s gun laws are lax when compared with the majority of other states, it’s critical to have solid legal representation to help interpret laws and protect your rights.

In Georgia, you’re not allowed to have any type of weapon in courthouses, government buildings, hospitals, places of worship, and schools, among other locations. The state also classifies certain weapons as “dangerous weapons,” which are not allowed anywhere. This includes bats, clubs, darts, firearms, machine guns, nunchucks, rifles, rocket launchers, and more.

It’s important to note that you may be able to restore your gun rights after being charged with some disqualifying convictions. It’s possible to do this through a pardon or by getting a charge expunged from your record. The Georgia Bureau of Investigation’s Georgia Crime Information Center (GCIC) processes requests and can typically get back to you within two to three weeks.

Types of Weapons Charges in Richmond Hill, GA

Weapons charges can also be classified as a misdemeanor or a felony. That said, the majority are felonies. Misdemeanors for weapons charges typically include things like carrying a weapon in an unauthorized location or carrying a weapon without a license. Carrying a weapon in a school zone, however, is a felony.

Most states divide weapons charges into three main categories: weapon possession, weapon use, and weapon manufacturing and sales. The type of crime you face and the severity of the situation determine your charges.

• Possession: You can get in trouble for simply having a weapon, even if you don’t use it to harm or threaten someone. No one else even has to see the weapon for you to be charged with possession. Many possession charges are classified as misdemeanors in Georgia.
• Use: Using a weapon is vastly more dangerous than simply having it, and you can expect the penalties to reflect that. Most weapons charges involving the use of a weapon leave the offender with felony charges, depending on the details of the case.
• Manufacturing and Sales: Illegally manufacturing and/or selling weapons can also get you in trouble with the law. These cases also typically lead to felony charges.

Gun death rates have increased over the last decade in Georgia. From 2013 to 2022, the rate of gun deaths in the state increased by 56 percent, with homicides being the leading contributor.

In 2022, there were 2,163 gun deaths in Georgia, including 1,033 homicides. A Richmond Hill weapons charges lawyer is a type of criminal defense attorney who represents people charged with possessing or using a weapon.

FAQs

Q: Can I Restore My Gun Rights After Losing Them in Richmond Hill?

A: It’s possible to restore your gun rights after losing them from a weapons charge in Richmond Hill in some situations. In Georgia, some misdemeanors and most felonies can make you ineligible to own or possess a gun. However, you can petition for a pardon or to have the charge removed from your criminal record.

Q: What Is the First Offender Act in Georgia?

A: The First Offender Act allows people who have never been convicted of a felony to enter a plea of guilty or no contest without getting a formal conviction on their record. This law gives people a second chance at a normal life after an incident with the law. Talk with a Richmond Hill weapons charges lawyer to learn more about what types of charges are eligible to be tried under the First Offender Act.

Q: When Does Federal Law Enforcement Get Involved in Weapons Charges Cases in Richmond Hill?

A: If a weapons charges case is in violation of federal law, federal law enforcement may get involved. Federal law enforcement may involve themselves in a situation if a convicted felon is in possession of a firearm, a drug trafficking case involves a weapon, a person purchases a firearm for another person who is prohibited from owning one, or if firearms are transferred across state lines illegally.

Q: What Misdemeanors Disqualify You From Owning a Gun in Richmond Hill?

A: While felons are unable to own or possess a firearm in Georgia, offenders with a misdemeanor charge can sometimes retain their rights. Misdemeanors that disqualify someone from owning or possessing a gun in Richmond Hill mostly include violent crimes. Specifically, anyone with any type of domestic violence charge typically cannot own or possess a firearm in the state of Georgia.

Get Started by Meeting With a Richmond Hill Weapons Charges Lawyer

If you’re facing a weapons charge in Georgia, it’s critical that you understand your rights as well as the legal procedures that follow your charges. While you can go through the process on your own, it’s helpful to work with a Richmond Hill weapons charges lawyer who can build a strong defense and represent you.

At the offices of Jarrett Maillet J.D., P.C., our goal is to negotiate aggressively on your behalf to achieve a fair outcome for your case. We understand the nuances of weapons charges cases in Hinesville, and we’re ready to put our skills to use for you. If you’re ready to discuss your case in more detail, get in touch with our team to set up an appointment today.