Felony charges carry years or decades in prison. Overbird Law provides the aggressive, experienced defense you need to protect your future.
Georgia Felony Defense Attorney
A felony conviction in Georgia can result in years of imprisonment, massive fines, loss of voting rights, inability to possess firearms, and a permanent criminal record that affects employment, housing, and professional licensing for the rest of your life. The stakes could not be higher.
Attorney Jonathan Overman has the courtroom experience and legal acumen to defend against the most serious felony charges. As a current Special Assistant Attorney General, he understands how prosecutors build cases — and he knows exactly how to tear them apart.
We begin building your defense from the moment you contact us. We investigate the facts independently, challenge the state's evidence, file strategic pre-trial motions, negotiate with prosecutors when it serves your interests, and prepare aggressively for trial when it doesn't.
Every felony case is different, and cookie-cutter defense strategies don't work. We develop individualized defense strategies based on the unique facts of your case, the applicable law, and the most effective path to the best possible outcome.
Find out what your case is worth. No fees unless we win.
People Also Ask
Misdemeanors carry maximum penalties of 12 months in jail and $1,000 in fines. Felonies carry one year or more in state prison, larger fines, and far more serious collateral consequences — loss of voting rights, firearm rights, professional licensing barriers, and immigration consequences. The decision to file a case as a felony or misdemeanor often involves prosecutorial discretion that an experienced attorney can sometimes influence.
Yes. Common reduction paths include plea negotiations, the misdemeanor treatment provisions of certain Georgia statutes, qualifying for First Offender Act treatment under O.C.G.A. § 42-8-60 (which avoids a conviction entirely if completed successfully), and dismissal on constitutional grounds. Reductions are far more common pre-indictment than post-indictment.
Georgia's First Offender Act allows certain non-violent felony defendants — with no prior felony record — to receive a sentence without a formal conviction. If the defendant completes probation and any other conditions successfully, the case is discharged without an adjudication of guilt, and the charge does not become a public criminal conviction. Certain offenses (DUI, sex crimes, serious violent felonies) are statutorily ineligible.
Most felony cases resolve in 6–18 months. Complex cases involving multiple defendants, expert witnesses, or constitutional motions can take 2 years or more. Cases that proceed to jury trial typically take longer than cases resolved by plea. Early aggressive defense often produces faster favorable outcomes.
At arraignment, the defendant is formally notified of the charges, asked to enter a plea (typically "not guilty" at this stage), and given a copy of the indictment. Constitutional motions, discovery requests, and key pretrial deadlines are set at or shortly after arraignment. Appearing without counsel is a serious mistake because critical procedural rights can be waived inadvertently.
Public defenders are constitutionally required for defendants who cannot afford private counsel, and many are skilled trial lawyers. However, public defender caseloads in Georgia are very high, which limits the time available for any individual case. Private counsel typically provides more pre-trial preparation, faster response time, and broader expert resources — which often translates to better case outcomes when the stakes are high.
Contact us today for a free, no-obligation case review.
