Decatur County Criminal Lawyers

Eric Coffelt earned his Juris Doctor from Georgia State University College of Law. Prior to that, Eric attended Mercer University, where he studied criminal justice and graduated magna cum laude. While in law school, Eric competed in national mock trial competitions as part of Georgia State's distinguished Student Trial Lawyer's Association, was the Vice President of the Criminal Law Association, and was awarded the prestigious Georgia Civil Justice Foundation Scholarship for Excellence in Trial Advocacy. Virtually all of Eric's litigation experience has been in the area of criminal defense. His passion for helping those accused of criminal offenses began...

Tom started The Church Law Firm in 2022 after graduating with honors from the University of Georgia School of Law and becoming a partner at an elite law firm in Atlanta. Since becoming an attorney, Tom has been handling cases involving high profile federal crimes, serious felonies under Georgia law, and civil claims against overreaching government officials, including small businesses that have been unlawfully targeted by law enforcement based on their sale of legal cannabis products (hemp). During the COVID-19 pandemic, Tom also secured the release of over a dozen federal inmates based on their age, medical conditions, or excessively...

John Schneider is a partner at Wosnik Law, and an experienced criminal defense attorney who has represented clients in both criminal and civil matters across north Georgia. John has extensive trial experience, and has achieved not guilty verdicts or dismissals on criminal charges ranging from misdemeanor theft and battery to serious felonies, such as kidnapping and sexual offenses. He has also successfully advocated for his clients at other crucial proceedings, such as divorce and child custody hearings, probation revocation hearings, and appeals to the Georgia Court of Appeals and Supreme Court of Georgia. John graduated from the University of Georgia School...

As a former prosecutor for 6 years, I have a ton of courtroom experience and legal knowledge. When I first passed the Bar, I opened my own practice concentrating on family law and personal injury. As my knowledge base grew, I decided I wanted to get back to family law but now I had additional information and experience in criminal work.

Willis Law Firm is the most distinguished and recognized Georgia DUI defense firm that focuses on aggressively defending DUI cases. Lawyers, police and court personnel hire and refer friends and family to the Willis Law Firm for DUI defense. Why? Greg has successfully defended over 93% of his DUI clients over the last 10 years by closing the cases without a DUI conviction. The Willis Law Firm lawyers are experts in DUI negotiations, motion hearings, bench trials, jury trials, and appeals. The team possesses more than 45 years of combined experience. Greg is the only lawyer in Georgia that...

Benjamin Von Schuch has a relentless passion to seek justice and help others gain a second chance at life. He fights to protect the rights of men, women and minors accused of misdemeanor and/or felony crimes in and around Atlanta, GA. As a compassionate criminal defense attorney and owner of an Atlanta based law firm, Benjamin Von Schuch aims to give each of his clients the means to a solid defense so they can move on with their lives without the repercussion of a criminal record. Benjamin Von Schuch has made it his priority and mission to help others through...

Since starting Rachel Kaufman Law in June of 2015, Rachel has provided top-notch legal representation to hundreds of clients throughout the State of Georgia. In that short time, Rachel has gained a reputation for being a highly passionate and highly effective courtroom advocate. Amongst her colleagues, judges and courtroom personnel, Rachel is known for being a smart fighter, who can see through the tumbleweeds and intuitively zero-in on which strategic routes need to be taken to get to the best outcome possible. No matter the charge (DUI, Murder, Drug Offense, etc.), Rachel approaches each client’s situation with family-like loyalty and...

Norm Sawyer’s early career was spent representing the clients of large insurance companies, so he offers a unique perspective to his clients and the Litner + Deganian team. Norm knows how the insurance companies think and act, which can be a big advantage in a personal injury case. He also has a substantial amount of experience working with mediators as well as in state and federal courts.
“Insurance companies have so many clients that there’s very little interaction and a lot of rigid processes,” Norm commented. “I wanted to impact people’s lives, not just their insurance rates.” Norm met Arman Deganian...

Justin W. Chaney is a native of Atlanta. Prior to becoming an attorney Mr. Chaney was a Border Patrol Agent on the US-Mexico border in California and Texas. He was an Adjudications Officer with the Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) at the New Orleans District Office. While with the INS Mr. Chaney conducted interviews and adjudicated thousands of various petitions and applications. After graduating from Whittier Law School in 2002, Mr. Chaney’s practice has focused on immigration law and criminal defense for non-citizens. He is a member...

What is zealous advocacy? I come from a family of attorneys and judges, so the study of law is something I grew up appreciating. I believe in defending the Constitution and zealously advocating for my clients. Sometimes clients misunderstand what zealous advocacy means. It does not mean we do anything the client wants. It means we apply the law to the facts of a case and advise based on our understanding of that application. The feelings a client has about his or her case add to the facts of the case, so they are always being considered. Difficult decisions may need...

U S Army Veteran, having served 4 years, first as a Military Police Officer (2Lt), then as Judge Advocate Trial Attorney (Captain). Graduated from Mercer University in Macon GA with an AB degree in 1968, from Mercer Law with a JD in 1970.

After honorable discharge from the military, returned to Savannah to practice law. From 1984-1993 was partner in the number one Plaintiffs' firm in Savannah. Since 1993 has been in private practice either solo or as Senior Partner, since 2012 as Phillips Carson & Phillips.

Served in the Georgia Legislature 1979-1984; Jaycee Man of the Year 1982; graduate of...

Experienced Criminal Defense Attorney with over 20 years of legal experience. Extensive jury trial experience. Experience handling major felony cases such as Murder, Armed Robbery, Aggravated Assault, Rape, Robbery, Theft Crimes, and all crimes against persons.

Mr. Leonard is a Georgia DUI lawyer practicing in all of the courts in the peach state. He gets excellent results for his clients because he takes the time to learn about their individual DUI case and to stay on top of the ever changing DUI law. He has been NHTSA trained in DUI Detection and Standardized Field Sobriety Testing, just like your arresting officer. In addition, he is a SFST Instructor. He is also a U.S. Department of Transportation certified operator of the Intoxilyzer 5000. He is a member of the National College for DUI...

Katie has spent her entire legal career advocating for her clients. She spent over 14 years as a public defender in Fulton County, representing individuals charged with felony crimes at the trial and appellate level. Most of her career at the public defender’s office was spent in the complex felony unit, representing people charged with the most serious crimes; murder, armed robbery, sex crimes and drug trafficking. More recently, Katie was a partner in a boutique law firm, trying cases and representing clients all over the Metro Atlanta area. Her many years in the courtroom have earned her a reputation...

The Smith Williams Law Firm’s owner, Yolanda Smith-Williams, received a Bachelor of Arts degree from North Carolina A&T State University in Political Science with a minor in English. She received her Juris Doctorate from Thomas M. Cooley Law School in Lansing, Michigan. While in law school, Yolanda gained valuable legal work experience by working with a Circuit Court Judge. This was the start of her experience in working in the area of Family Law. She later received a highly sought after internship with the Ingham County Prosecutor’s Office. In this position, Yolanda assisted in prosecuting individuals charged with felonies and...

Jack is a third generation Georgia lawyer. He grew up in Atlanta, Georgia, and received his undergraduate degree from the University of Richmond in 1992 and his Law Degree from the University of Georgia School of Law in 1995. In law school, he served on the editorial board of the Journal of International Comparative Law. He is a former representative of the Younger Lawyer's Division to the Savannah State Bar Association. He serves of the Savannah Mediation Center. Jack's practice concentration includes domestic relations, criminal law, and immigration. Jack has tried cases before judges and juries throughout Georgia, primarily...

Brian is the supervising partner for HMT's criminal law practice. Brian has significant experience in all aspects of criminal law.

Brian is one of a handful of attorneys in the Nation to hold a Masters of Law (LLM) in Federal Criminal Practice and Procedure.

Brian has experience from every angle in the courtroom. A few of the positions he has held throughout his career include:

Judicial Law Clerk to Five Superior Court Judges (serving eight counties in Georgia)
Special Assistant United States Attorney
Senior Prosecutor for Parris Island and Marine Corps Eastern Recruiting Region
Deputy Director of Marine Corps Trial Counsel Assistance Program
Appellate Defense Attorney
Additionally, Brian...

JD Univ. of Ga. Law School 1986 LLM in Taxation Emory University 1994 Litigated thousands of cases.

Matthew Van Dyke has a service-driven practice with a specific focus of adding value and maximizing efficiencies for the Client. Mr. Van Dyke believes that it takes a cooperative effort in order to accomplish the Client’s goals.

For his business clients, Mr. Van Dyke will work with you to add value to your organization while being efficient and minimizing the risks for litigation. However, if litigation does arise, Mr. Van Dyke will represent your interests zealously, both in the courtroom and in the boardroom. For clients who have been charged with a crime, Matthew will work with you and for you...

Ruslyn D. Ruby has practiced law since 2017. She focuses her practice on family law, probate and general civil litigation. She was born and raised in Georgia and has lived in Forsyth County since her childhood. Mrs. Ruby graduated with a bachelors degree in Business Management, cum laude, from the University of South Carolina Aiken. While at USC-Aiken, she was the captain of the cheerleading squad and a member of Alpha Omicron Pi. In 2016, Ruslyn received her Juris Doctorate from Mercer University Walter F. George School of Law. While in law school, she was a member of the Association of...

Gabriel Bradford, a former member of the Sarasota County Fire Department, is a graduate of the University of Georgia School of Law and a magna cum laude graduate of the University of Georgia. While in law school, Gabe served on the School of Law’s Honor Court. Prior to joining the firm as a partner, Mr. Bradford served as an assistant district attorney in the Piedmont Judicial Circuit, which includes Banks, Barrow, and Jackson Counties. As an assistant district attorney, Gabe received trial training from the Prosecuting Attorney’s Council of Georgia and developed an expertise in domestic violence. Today,...

Amanda Gaddis Speights represents clients in divorce or family law matters, criminal matters, appeals, and other civil litigation. In family law matters, Amanda has guided and counseled clients in settling uncontested divorces, fought for clients' rights in contested divorces and child custody or child support proceedings, and ensured that clients resolved their family disputes with the best resolution possible for their family given the situation. In addition to her work on family law cases, Amanda has represented clients arrested for various crimes, including DUI, felony and misdemeanor drug offenses, theft crimes, assault or battery charges. Amanda is very...

Keith was named one of the Top 100 Criminal Defense Attorneys in the United States by the National Trial Lawyers Association. Keith was selected twice to the Super Lawyers in 2017 and 2018 Georgia Rising Stars list, an honor reserved for those lawyers who exhibit excellence in practice. Only 2.5% of attorneys in Georgia received this distinction. In 2013, at the age of 30, Keith was appointed to serve as an associate Juvenile Court Judge for the Augusta Judicial Circuit, and continues in that role while still maintaining his private practice. Keith has handled thousands of criminal cases in Georgia...

Laura began her legal career as an Assistant District Attorney for the Augusta Judicial Circuit, where she was responsible for the prosecution of crimes ranging from misdemeanors to serious violent felonies. During her time as an Assistant District Attorney, Laura handled hundreds of cases, gaining valuable courtroom experience.
Since going into private practice, Laura has represented injured individuals and their families in cases that include medical malpractice, nursing home abuse and neglect, and slip and fall accidents. If you have been accused of a crime, Laura will work tirelessly defend you in the charges you face and ensure that your constitutional...

On the morning of July 3, 2003, I was driving to cover Court for another attorney during a tropical storm, when I was blown off the road by the intense rain and high winds. I was informed by a third party whose judgment and observation I trust that my estimation of time during that period was very wrong. I spent a short time in a medically-induced coma, followed by about three weeks of being unconscious. The accident left me paralyzed on my right side, and I spent approximately four to five months after I awoke re-learning...

Cortney M. Stuart's legal background began with the Superior Court of Athens, Georgia, where she interned while studying as an undergraduate at the University of Georgia, from which she graduated with Bachelors in Criminal Justice, Sociology, and Political Science. She later graduated from the Florida Coastal School of Law, cum laude, receiving her Juris Doctor in May of 2011, subsequently sitting for the Georgia and Tennessee Bars in July of 2011, and being admitted to both in November of 2011. In 2012, she began her career as an associate at the Law Offices of Edwin Marger, LLC. Under Edwin Marger's...

I began my adult life by serving in the U.S. Army, in the Military Intelligence Corps. After an honorable discharge began attending the University of Massachusetts, Amherst in 1998. After two years of hard work I received my Bachelor's Degree. I began law school in 2001, and received my Juris Doctor in 2004. I have worked extensively in juvenile courts in the metro-Atlanta area, primarily as a guardian ad litem representing the interests of children in deprivation and delinquency cases. I have also served as a guardian ad litem in very contentious custody cases....

Speaks clearly and can even be loud at times. Very honest and ethical. Always loyal to every client, hard worker and sometimes does pro bono work. Highly experienced and very knowledgeable with Georgia law. Senior Attorney practicing part time.

I began prosecuting felony cases as an Assistant District Attorney in Cherokee County, Georgia, right out of law school. After 10 years in Cherokee County I took over as the Senior Assistant District Attorney in Pickens County, where I prosecuted for 5 years. In 2013, I transitioned into private practice and now represent people who have been charged with committing a crime. After prosecuting for 15 years, I know first-hand that not everyone who has been arrested is guilty, and I work tirelessly to protect my client's rights in court.

Ms. Samantha Ashley Miller is the founding partner of Gross & Miller, and she was admitted to practice law in the State of Georgia in 1997. She is a native of North Carolina and she graduated from Appalachian State University in 1992 with a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice. In December 1996, she received a Doctor of Jurisprudence degree from John Marshall Law School. During law school she served as the editor for The Advocate. She is a member of the Atlanta Bar Association, Cobb Bar Association and the State Bar of Georgia, Family Law Section. She volunteers her...