If you are facing a serious felony charge, start with the exact allegation and the stage of the case. A defense response may turn on disputed evidence, witness accounts, legal issues and whether the matter is still before a trial court or involves review of a judgment.
Start with the charge and case stage
Bring the charging document and any notices, orders or other case papers you have. Identify the precise charge, the court named in the papers and what has happened so far. Those details help frame which questions need attention rather than treating every felony allegation as the same.
The firm describes its criminal-defense practice as serving clients facing serious felony charges in Georgia. In an initial conversation, it says it seeks to understand the general nature of the matter and identify appropriate next steps. That conversation is an opportunity to explain the allegation, what you dispute and where the case stands.
Official resources: Personal injury and criminal defense services
Address disputed evidence and investigation
Make a clear list of evidence or witness accounts you believe are mistaken, incomplete or inconsistent. Preserve relevant material and note how you know about it. Do not assume that an allegation or an adverse ruling resolves what the evidence proves; the firm's published service descriptions emphasize that the response depends on the actual record and procedural stage.
The Georgia Public Defender Council's guide describes discovery and investigation as reviewing evidence, interviewing witnesses and investigating the case. It is a general public-defense resource, not a promise about private representation or a particular matter. For your conversation, ask what evidence and investigative questions are relevant to your charge and what information is available to assess them.
Official resources: Georgia Sex Crimes Attorney — Jody D. Peterman, LLC; Georgia Homicide and Manslaughter Attorney — Jody D. Peterman, LLC; The Legal Process | Georgia Public Defender Council
Match the defense approach to the allegation
For sex-crimes allegations, the firm's published description identifies review of the exact allegation, consent and identity issues where relevant, digital and forensic material, witness accounts, charging decisions, constitutional protections and collateral consequences. Which of these matters depends on the facts and record in the individual case.
For homicide and manslaughter charges, the firm's description identifies the precise charge, intent or state-of-mind allegations, forensic evidence, witnesses, constitutional questions and trial preparation. It also identifies self-defense or justification issues where supported. These are distinct questions to discuss in relation to the actual charge, not assumptions that apply in every case.
Official resources: Georgia Sex Crimes Attorney — Jody D. Peterman, LLC; Georgia Homicide and Manslaughter Attorney — Jody D. Peterman, LLC
Separate trial-level choices from appeal review
Before judgment, potential work may involve investigation, motions addressing evidence or charges, negotiations and trial preparation. The Georgia Public Defender Council guide separates pretrial motions and negotiations from trial and appellate review; which steps apply depends on the charge, court and stage. Ask how a proposed approach relates to the evidence and the decision that needs to be made now.
If a judgment has already been entered, appellate review is a different task from preparing for trial. The firm's criminal-appeals description focuses on the trial-court record, preserved objections, rulings, transcripts, legal standards, written briefs, appellate jurisdiction and relief a reviewing court may lawfully consider. Gather available records and ask what review of that record can address.
Official resources: The Legal Process | Georgia Public Defender Council; Georgia Criminal Appeals Attorney — Jody D. Peterman, LLC
Prepare for a focused criminal-defense conversation
- Identify the exact charge and the court or case stage shown on your paperwork.
- Gather charging documents, notices, orders and any written conditions you have received.
- Preserve messages, photographs, recordings and other material that may relate to the allegations; avoid altering or deleting potential evidence.
- Write down what you recall about relevant events and identify people who may have information.
- Note any evidence or witness account you believe is inaccurate, incomplete or disputed, and why.
- If a judgment has already been entered, gather the available trial-court record, rulings and transcripts for review.
- Ask how the proposed work addresses your charge, procedural stage and goals before deciding what to do next.
Questions about criminal defense
What criminal matters does the firm handle?
The firm describes its criminal-defense practice as representing clients facing serious felony charges in Georgia. It publicly offers sex-crimes and homicide and manslaughter representation. The appropriate fit depends on the actual charge and procedural stage.
What should I expect a defense review to examine?
The firm's published descriptions identify focused review of the allegation or charge, evidence, witness accounts, constitutional questions and procedural stage. The relevant issues differ by case; for example, a sex-crimes matter may involve digital or forensic material, while a homicide matter may involve intent allegations and supported justification issues.
How is an appeal different from trial-level defense?
An appeal is different from defending a case at trial. The firm's appeals description focuses on the trial-court record, preserved objections, rulings, transcripts, applicable legal standards, appellate jurisdiction and relief a reviewing court may consider. Whether appellate review is appropriate depends on the record and stage.
General information about legal services and local resources. A lawyer must review the facts and applicable law for your matter. Contacting the firm does not by itself create an attorney-client relationship.