Memberships

I regularly speak to groups about criminal justice and political issues. Examples of these types of groups include civic organizations like Rotary, Kiwanis, and Optimist as well as academic institutions and advocacy groups.

When choosing an attorney, you want one that not only knows the laws, but has a deeper understanding and knowledge for the laws. A true understanding of the law helps me to know the value of my opinion in law, but also allows me to have the most knowledge possible in order to benefit my clients. By being a published attorney in the Times-Georgian and Douglas County Sentinel I can offer a wide set of knowledge to help your case. Below are a few of my published articles:

During my many years of criminal trial practice, I have handled over 5000 criminal cases. These cases range from simple traffic tickets to capital felony cases. I have practiced before all of the courts in the west Georgia area and a number of courts in the metro Atlanta area.

A criminal defense attorney must try cases before judges, juries, handle negotiated pleas, blind pleas, motion hearings, and represent convicted men and women on appeal in the Georgia Court of Appeals and the Georgia Supreme Court.

In my practice, I vigorously represent people charged with traffic tickets, DUI’s, DWI’s, family violence cases, misdemeanors, felonies, violent crimes, sexual crimes, probation violations, warrant applications, and drug offenses.

I have performed these legal tasks for years.

I got my start by working for Word & Simmons, P.C. as a young law clerk. There, I was blessed to be trained by two of the best criminal defense attorneys in the state, Gerald P. Word and Maryellen Simmons. They also graciously served as my mentors.

In my third year of law school, I was hired as an intern by the District Attorney of the Coweta Judicial Circuit, Peter John Skandalakis. At the DA’s office, I received the priceless experience of working on criminal cases from a prosecutor’s standpoint.

I was also taught at a young age by my mentor, Gerald P. Word, that reading the opinions issued by the appellate courts would serve me well. I followed his advice and have developed a habit of reading each and every opinion that issued by our appellate courts. I do this on a daily basis.

By reading these appellate cases, I am able to keep current on criminal law and procedure on a daily basis. Surprisingly, the law changes every day. This happens in big ways on some days and small ways on others. By keeping up to date daily on the law, I am able to gain the ongoing vital experience even when I am not in court.

I am also a syndicated legal columnist. I write for publications including, but not limited to, The Times-Georgian and The Douglas County Sentinel. My columns appear every Tuesday and many of them are posted on this website.

My criminal defense experience has also given me the opportunity to teach on the university level. I currently serve as an adjunct professor at the University of West Georgia in the Criminology Department. I teach classes in criminal law, criminal procedure and constitutional law.