Georgia Criminal Law - Marietta Attorneys Dean Phillips Law Office

The Ultimate Holiday Hit and Run

December 12, 2025 No Comments

Holiday hit-and-run cases spike every year—but none are as famous as the one in Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer. This post breaks down the song’s storyline like a real Georgia hit-and-run investigation, highlighting how a Marietta criminal defense lawyer challenges evidence, tackles emotional jury issues, and defends clients facing DUI or hit-and-run charges in Cobb County, Paulding County, and Bartow County.

Outstanding Aggravated Assault Warrant Served in Tennessee

December 8, 2025 No Comments

A Warner Robbins man with an outstanding aggravated assault warrant was arrested in Tennessee after a multi-agency search. Learn how Georgia handles out-of-state arrests, aggravated assault charges, and the defenses a skilled Marietta criminal defense attorney can raise in Cobb, Paulding, and Bartow Counties.

Five Criminal Enhancements That Could Affect You

December 8, 2025 No Comments

Criminal enhancements in Georgia can turn a minor charge into a life-changing felony. From prior DUIs to drug-free zone violations, prosecutors in Cobb, Paulding, and Bartow counties often pursue the harshest version of a charge. Understanding how these enhancements work—and how a skilled Marietta criminal defense lawyer can challenge them—is essential to protecting your freedom and future.

Mom in Custody After Brother Shoots Brother

August 7, 2025 No Comments

A Georgia mother faces murder charges after a tragic accidental shooting involving her twin sons. Learn how local defense attorneys approach such complex cases.

Court of Appeals Upholds Georgia’s Aggravated Assault Definition

February 13, 2022 No Comments

The Georgia Court of Appeals recently upheld the state’s definition of aggravated assault, ruling on a case that highlights the importance of victim awareness in such charges. This decision could shape how future criminal defense cases are argued in Cobb, Bartow, and Paulding Counties.

The Importance of Reasonable Doubt

March 19, 2019 No Comments

Reasonable doubt is the cornerstone of the American justice system — and a key protection for anyone facing criminal charges. It ensures that no one is convicted unless guilt is proven beyond uncertainty. This post explains how Georgia courts apply reasonable doubt, how it impacts jury decisions, and why a Marietta criminal defense attorney can use it to fight for your rights in Cobb, Bartow, and Paulding County.

How a Toddler’s Favorite Word Helped in an Appeals Case

March 12, 2019 No Comments

Sometimes, one simple word can make all the difference in court — “why.” In a recent Georgia appeals case, a driver’s conviction was overturned because the officer’s citation lacked key details explaining why the driver was at fault. This story highlights why every element of an offense matters and how a Marietta criminal defense attorney ensures those details are never overlooked in Cobb, Bartow, and Paulding County cases.

When Is a Robbery Attempt Not a Robbery Attempt?

September 27, 2016 No Comments

The Georgia Court of Appeals reversed an armed robbery conviction from Cherokee County Superior Court, finding that the defendant’s actions did not meet the legal threshold for an attempted robbery under O.C.G.A. § 16-4-1.

The case involved a man who entered a pharmacy wearing a mask and carried suspicious notes suggesting intent, but no weapon was found and no robbery occurred. The Court ruled that these actions represented preparation rather than an actual attempt, a key distinction in Georgia criminal law.

This decision underscores the importance of understanding “substantial steps” vs. “mere preparation” in criminal attempt cases — and how a skilled Georgia criminal defense attorney can challenge evidence that doesn’t meet the burden of proof.

Georgia Appeals Court Defines Defacement of Government Property

July 18, 2016 No Comments

The Georgia Court of Appeals provided new insight into what qualifies as defacement of government property, affirming a conviction from Coweta County.

The defendant, convicted of making terroristic threats and interfering with government property, argued that the evidence did not support his convictions. He claimed that detention officers provoked the incidents and that his threats were conditional and made while restrained. He also argued that because he cleaned his fecal material from his cell and a security camera, the property wasn’t permanently damaged.

Trial Court Errors but Defendant Still Convicted

July 18, 2016 No Comments

The Georgia Supreme Court upheld a felony murder conviction despite the defendant’s claims of trial error and insufficient evidence.

The defendant, convicted in Dougherty County, argued that the jury charge was flawed and that the testimony against him—provided by an alleged accomplice—was unreliable. While the Court acknowledged a minor error in the jury instructions, it found enough independent evidence to support the verdict.