Cobb County defense attorney - Marietta Attorneys Dean Phillips Law Office

What Happens After the Judge Bangs the Gavel?

October 27, 2025 No Comments

A criminal conviction in Georgia doesn’t mean your case is over — it’s often just the beginning. From probation and appeals to record restriction, understanding your post-trial options is critical. This guide explains what happens after sentencing, how probation modification works, and why having an experienced Marietta criminal defense attorney by your side can make all the difference in Cobb County, Bartow County, and Paulding County.

Georgia Man in Hot Water Over Fake Bomb Threats

December 29, 2023 No Comments

False bomb threats and “swatting” calls can lead to harsh state or federal charges in Georgia. From terroristic threats to fake devices, a Marietta criminal defense attorney explains the law, defense strategies, and what to expect if you’re charged in Cobb, Bartow, or Paulding Counties.

Trump Indicted in Georgia

August 23, 2023 No Comments

Trump’s Georgia indictment shows how indictments, trials, and plea deals work. These lessons apply to anyone facing charges in Cobb, Bartow, or Paulding Counties. A Marietta criminal defense lawyer can protect your rights and guide you through every step.

Octogenarian PA Murder Suspect Arrested in GA

August 7, 2023 No Comments

An 83-year-old murder suspect was arrested in Georgia nearly 50 years after the crime. This case highlights how statutes of limitations, extradition, and criminal confessions affect defendants. A Marietta criminal defense lawyer explains what you need to know if facing charges in Cobb, Bartow, or Paulding County.

Revealing a Confidential Informant

December 19, 2016 No Comments

In a Cherokee County drug case, the Georgia Court of Appeals upheld a ruling protecting a confidential informant’s identity. The defendant, convicted of multiple drug charges, argued that revealing the tipster could have aided his defense. However, the court determined that the informant only assisted police and was not a material witness. This ruling reinforces how Georgia law balances informant protection with a defendant’s right to a fair trial—an issue often seen in Cobb, Bartow, and Paulding County criminal defense cases.

Georgia Appeals Court Explains Cumulative Evidence

December 14, 2016 No Comments

When a conviction is challenged in Georgia, appellate courts often evaluate whether legal missteps truly impacted the outcome. In a recent case, the Georgia Court of Appeals upheld convictions despite valid defense claims—ruling that the cumulative evidence was still strong enough to support the verdict. Understanding how courts apply the cumulative evidence standard can make all the difference in building or appealing a criminal defense case in Cobb, Bartow, or Paulding County.

Georgia’s Supreme Court Denies Immunity to Doctor Who Overrode Advance Directive

September 22, 2016 No Comments

The Georgia Supreme Court ruled that a doctor and hospital could not claim immunity after allegedly ignoring a patient’s advance directive in a medical malpractice case.

The lawsuit stemmed from a Richmond County case in which a doctor intubated and placed a 91-year-old woman on life support against her health care agent’s wishes. The plaintiff, her granddaughter, argued this act caused unnecessary suffering and violated Georgia’s Advance Directive Act.

Both the trial court and Court of Appeals found that the doctor failed to act in good faith, as required by O.C.G.A. § 31-32-10, and the Supreme Court agreed, emphasizing that medical decisions should reflect the patient’s will—not the provider’s.

This case reinforces the importance of patient autonomy and the legal obligations of healthcare providers in Georgia when following advance directives.

Appeals Court Sees Through Convicted Burglar’s Attempt to Cloak Actions as Seeking Shelter

September 15, 2016 No Comments

The Georgia Court of Appeals upheld a Fulton County burglary conviction, dismissing the defendant’s claim that he entered the property seeking shelter.

According to court records, the man was caught removing door hinges after breaking a porch door, and valuables inside the home suggested intent to steal. The defendant also challenged the trial court’s refusal to include criminal trespass as a lesser offense, but the Appeals Court found no evidence to support that instruction.

The Court further dismissed arguments about jury instructions and ineffective counsel, ruling that the trial court’s process and the defense attorney’s actions were appropriate. This case illustrates how Georgia courts interpret burglary intent under O.C.G.A. § 16-7-1 and underscores the importance of experienced representation in criminal trials.

Qualifications of Expert Witness

August 1, 2016 No Comments

The Supreme Court of Georgia recently clarified the qualifications required for expert witnesses in medical malpractice cases.

The case originated in DeKalb Superior Court, where the trial judge dismissed a lawsuit after ruling that the expert witness did not meet the requirements of O.C.G.A. § 9-11-9.1(a). The Court of Appeals upheld that decision, but the Georgia Supreme Court found procedural errors and returned the case to the lower court for reconsideration.

Evidence Supports Convictions in Spite of Defendant’s Protestations against Trial Court Procedures

July 21, 2016 No Comments

The Supreme Court of Georgia upheld a malice murder conviction in a Chatham County case involving a defendant accused of beating his wife to death. The defendant appealed, arguing that the trial court made multiple procedural errors.

The Georgia Supreme Court ruled that the evidence of prior domestic violence was properly admitted under the new Evidence Code, which allows for testimony on prior acts to establish a pattern of behavior. The Court also addressed the use of residual hearsay, finding that any potential error in admitting it did not harm the fairness of the trial.