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If you have been arrested for a criminal offense in the State of Georgia, it is important to understand that not all attorneys are the same. Your legal situation is completely different than most in the fact that it is not an amount of money that is on the line, but yourself, your future and in some cases, your livelihood. You may be put in jail or prison or have your professional license taken away.

The outcome of any criminal case depends upon the facts surrounding the crime charged, the strength of the evidence, the legal validity of law enforcement actions and courtroom procedure, and the goals and strategy of the government and defense. Defending your criminal case in the strongest possible way is critical to both your freedom and your future.

COMMITMENT. . .

Located in the heart of downtown Atlanta, Georgia Criminal Defense Attorney Thurston J. Lopes is committed to aggressively defending the rights of individuals when they need justice most in State and Federal Courts throughout the State of Georgia.

When you hire Mr. Lopes as your attorney, you are assured that he personally handles your case and personally returns your phone calls. Unlike many other respected firms, where your case may be handed off to a less experienced attorney, Mr. Lopes will handle your case from start to finish. "Every case I take is prepared for trial, even if there is a likelihood of a plea deal. This is how I practice law. As my client you can expect my assurance that your case is as important to me as it is to you."

Mr. Lopes believes that a quality defense should not cost a fortune. Although by no means are our services cheap, Mr. Lopes makes every effort to make legal costs affordable, as we accept limited payment plans and provide a ten (10) percent discount if legal fees can be paid in full. While quality representation comes with a cost, it also comes with the peace of mind of knowing that an experienced professional, dedicated to meeting and exceeding your expectations, is handling your case.

EXPERIENCE. . .

Whatever the particular need, Mr. Lopes has a solid reputation as experienced counsel who effectively advances the interests of the client. He has a wide range of experience handling the needs of those accused of Drunk Driving, DUI, and a broad spectrum of criminal areas including:

• Felony & Misdemeanor Crime, including:
  • Armed Robbery
  • Assault & Violent Crime
  • Burglary
  • Domestic Violence
  • Terrorist Threats
  • Theft (including by fraud)
• White Collar Crime
• Drug Offenses, including:
  • Trafficking
  • Sale
  • Manufacturing
  • Possession
• Guns & Weapons Violations
• Juvenile Delinquency Matters
• Probation Violations
• Traffic Offenses, including:
  • Driving under the Influence (DUI)
  • Vehicular Manslaughter
  • Reckless Driving
  • Hit & Run

RESULTS. . .

Recognizing that the Government spares no expense or tricks to defeat our clients' interest, Mr. Lopes stands ready to address your needs to the highest level possible in a personal, reliable, efficient, ethical, and quality driven manner.

Although we cannot ethically guarantee what will happen in any given case, “I will look every client in the eye and promise to do the best possible job I can.”

The mission is simple: to achieve results. “I give you my personal commitment.”

If you want an aggressive defense lawyer whose first, last and only priority is to his client, call me right now!

Call 1-866-632-4344 today to get the assistance you need!

Practice Areas and Legal Definitions

Felony Crimes:
Felony Crimes involve drug and narcotics charges, arson, burglary, armed robbery, murder and/or attempted murder, rape and/or sexual assault, kidnapping and aggravated assault and battery. A felony conviction is a serious matter that can result in a substantial state prison sentence and the potential loss of certain privileges and Constitutional rights of U.S. citizenship, such as the right to possess a firearm or the right to vote.

Misdemeanors:
Misdemeanors are more serious than petty offenses, but much less serious than felonies. Misdemeanors typically result in imposition of such punishments as a fine or a jail sentence not exceeding a year. If a jail sentence is imposed, it is served at a local, city or county jail rather than a state or federal prison (penitentiary). In many jurisdictions and in certain types of cases defendants who can't afford an attorney are not entitled to a court-appointed attorney in a misdemeanor case. Unlike felonies, misdemeanors are usually handled by special courts with abbreviated procedures, such as a city court or municipal court.

DUI/Driving Under the Influence:
"DUI" stands for Driving under the Influence and occurs when someone is operating, or is in actual physical control, of a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or other controlled substance to the extent that their mental faculties are impaired and/or their blood alcohol content (BAC) is above the legal limit. Even for a first offense, penalties can include license suspension, substantial fines, community service, mandatory attendance at a state or DMV approved alcohol program, mandatory overnight incarceration and the required installation (at the offender's expense) of a car ignition locking device. In addition, a DUI conviction stays on a DMV record for several years, it typically results in higher insurance premiums, and an offender may become ineligible for credit. Plus, a DUI could also jeopardize your employment opportunities.

However, if someone was injured as a result of the drunken driving accident, it is possible the defendant will be charged with a felony (and if the victim dies, the driver may be charged with vehicular manslaughter). Further, a DUI conviction will likely be raised to a felony if it is the driver's fourth DUI offense or the driver has had a prior felony DUI offense within 10 years of the new charge.

Serious Violent Crimes and Murder:
By definition, a violent crime is a behavior by persons, against persons or property that intentionally threatens, attempts or actually inflicts physical harm. The seriousness of the injuries to the victim(s), whether or not guns or other weapons were used and/or whether or not the alleged perpetrator has a criminal record will determine the seriousness of the charge. Most violent crimes are considered felonies and are subject to be considered a "strike" in a state that has adopted three strikes laws. Violent criminal charges can include: aggravated assault, arson, assault and battery, domestic violence, hate crimes, homicide, larceny, rape, manslaughter, mayhem and murder.

One of the most serious areas of violent crime is homicide - killing a person, whether lawfully or unlawfully. Justifiable homicide and excusable homicide are lawful homicides, while criminal homicide, negligent homicide, reckless homicide and vehicular homicide are unlawful homicides. Unlawful homicide comprises the two crimes of murder and manslaughter.

Internet Crime:
Internet crime is defined as any illegal activity involving one or more components of the Internet such as websites, chat rooms and/or email. Internet crime involves the use of the Internet to communicate false or fraudulent representations to consumers. These crimes may include, but are not limited to, advance-fee schemes, non-delivery of goods or services, computer hacking, phishing, pharming, programming worms, viruses or employment/business opportunity schemes.

Sex Crimes:
Sex crimes can include such charges as: Child Abuse, Child Pornography, Date Rape, Failure to register (as a Sex Offender), Indecent Exposure, Internet Porn, Lewd Conduct, Marital Rape, Molestation, Obscenity, Pedophilia, Pornography, Prostitution, Rape, Sexual Abuse, Sexual Assault, Sodomy and Statutory Rape. Many sex crimes are considered felonies and require convicted defendants to continually register themselves as publicly recognized sex offenders with the local and state authorities where they live and work. Charges of sexual misconduct carry extremely serious penalties and these crimes are commonly punished more severely than any other crime except murder. Sexual misconduct is seldom witnessed by anyone other than the accuser and accused and the risk of conviction of an innocent person is drastically higher in these cases. 

Domestic Violence:
Domestic violence is any physical, emotional, sexual or other violence that takes place between people who may be married or not married; heterosexual, gay, or lesbian; living together, separated or dating. Domestic violence can be criminal and include physical assault: hitting, pushing and shoving, etc., sexual abuse: unwanted or forced sexual activity, and stalking. Domestic violence charges can have a serious impact on your life.

White Collar Crimes:
High-tech professionals, corporate executives and clergy who are criminally charged for offenses such as corporate theft, counterfeiting, embezzlement, forgery, hacking, fraud, tax evasion or bad checks are often referred to as "white collar" offenders and are prosecuted for white collar crimes. In some cases, first-time offenders are convicted and sent to prison, even with no prior criminal history. An arrest and conviction for one of these crimes can have a serious impact on your life.

Fraud:
In criminal law, fraud is the crime or offense of deliberately deceiving another in order to damage them — usually, to obtain property or services from him or her unjustly. Fraud can be accomplished through the aid of forged objects. In the criminal law of common law jurisdictions it may be called "theft by deception," "larceny by trick," "larceny by fraud and deception" or something similar. Fraud can be committed through many methods including mail, wire, phone and the internet.

Drugs and Narcotics Charges:
Drugs and Narcotics laws have tried to keep up with the changing perceptions and real dangers of substance abuse. By 1970, over 55 federal drug laws and countless state laws specified a variety of punitive measures, including life imprisonment and even the death penalty. To clarify the situation, the Comprehensive Drug Abuse Prevention and Control Act of 1970 repealed, replaced, or updated all previous federal laws concerned with narcotics and all other dangerous drugs.

Most states have laws that give different treatment to possession of different categories of drugs (i.e. prescription drugs, marijuana, crystal methamphetamine), and also make a distinction in the offense charged as to whether a small amount of the drug was found with the defendant (personal use) or a larger amount (intent to sell or distribute, trafficking). A conviction on a drug charge of any magnitude, even a small amount of marijuana, can seriously affect your present and future employment chances, your education, your reputation and your freedom.

Juvenile Delinquency:
Delinquency is a legal term for criminal behavior carried out by a juvenile. Delinquent behavior is divided into two categories: status offenses and delinquency offenses. Status offenses are those acts which would not be considered offenses if committed by an adult, such as school truancy, running away from home, alcohol possession or use, or curfew violations. Juvenile Delinquency offenses involve destruction or theft of property, commission of violent crimes against persons, illegal weapon possession, or the possession or sale of illegal drugs.

Juvenile Court:
Juvenile court is unique and should not be treated as if it were adult court for young clients.  While the substantive criminal law is the same in juvenile and adult court, the procedures and sentencing law are substantially different. The consequences of a misstep by an attorney inexperienced in juvenile matters can be devastating. For example, contrary to what many parents believe, a juvenile conviction is not removed from a child's record when he or she turns 18.

Despite the rehabilitative focus of juvenile court, juvenile convictions are counted as criminal history in future cases. They also remain on state criminal records databases and may affect a young person's ability to enter college, obtain employment, financial aid, a driver's license or join the military. Additionally, juvenile convictions can result in commitment to a juvenile detention facility or institution for periods ranging from days to months and even years. Worse, in some cases, a child may end up being prosecuted in adult court where the punishment is even more severe.

Traffic Crimes:
Traffic crimes are specifically addressed in state statutes. The complex body of law that regulates the operation of motor vehicles on the streets and highways can be difficult to interpret and apply. Examples of traffic crimes include reckless driving, aggressive driving, drag racing, and driving with a suspended license.

Driving with a Suspended License:
Driving with a suspended or revoked license is considered a crime, and can result in heavy fines and possible jail time. At worst, it may be considered a felony, and the offender could end up in state prison or with an obligation to perform many hours of community service. The penalties are typically heaviest if the license suspension or revocation was the result of a conviction for driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs (DUI/DWI).

Driver’s License Revocation:
Typically, a driver’s license will not be revoked for one or even two traffic tickets resulting from a moving violation such as speeding, running a stoplight or stop sign. However, if the offense is extremely reckless and/or if the driver has had previous convictions for moving violations in the past, his or her license may be revoked or suspended. If the driver is charged with drunk driving, reckless driving, or is involved in a hit-and-run, the defendant’s license may be suspended for a year or more.

Appellate and Post Conviction:
In an appeal, an appellate court reviews the record of the pre-trial and trial proceedings for legal errors. The record includes the court file, the court reporter's transcript and the evidence and exhibits introduced in the trial court. In general, an appellate court does not consider information that is not contained in the record.

A post-conviction petition is the general name for what is called a "collateral attack" on a conviction. In federal court, they are called habeas corpus petitions. By using a post-conviction petition, a defendant generally can bring evidence before the reviewing court that was not part of the record on appeal, and in this way raise issues that would otherwise not be reviewed.

If you want an aggressive defense lawyer, who’s first, last and only priority is to his client, call me right now!

Call 1-866-632-4344 today to get the assistance you need!

If you want an aggressive defense lawyer, who’s first, last and only priority is to his client, call me right now!

Call 1-866-632-4344 today to get the assistance you need!

• BA - Hampton Institute 1988
• JD - John Marshall Law School 1993

• State of Georgia
• Georgia Court of Appeals
• Georgia Supreme Court
• Federal District Court – Northern District of Georgia

• American Bar Association
• Georgia Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers Association
• Three- time past chairman of the State Bar of Georgia YLD Criminal Law Committee