Katherine A. Gonos, Attorney at LawKatherine A. Gonos, Attorney at Law2026-07-11T13:18:55Zhttps://www.gonoslaw.com/feed/atom/WordPress/wp-content/uploads/sites/1204339/2022/07/cropped-KAG-favicon-1-1-32x32.jpgOn Behalf of Katherine A. Gonos, Attorney at Law<![CDATA[3 reasons you need representation for violent crime charges]]>https://www.gonoslaw.com/?p=504112026-07-11T13:18:55Z2026-07-11T13:18:55Z1. The story may be bigger than the charge
A police report may not show everything that happened. It may leave out mistaken identity or missing context. Legal representation helps bring the full story forward. This may include:
Reviewing witness statements
Checking video footage
Studying police conduct
Finding gaps in the case
Even a small detail may affect how the allegations are interpreted and whether the prosecution can prove its case.
Failing to follow even one requirement may result in additional charges or the revocation of release conditions. Personalized legal guidance can help to explain these obligations and help prevent actions that could weaken one’s defense.
3. A conviction may have long-term consequences
A violent crime conviction can impact:
Housing
Employment
Firearm rights
Custody matters
Immigration status
Professional licenses
Effective representation can contextualize the current charges and the broader potential consequences of a conviction.
Violent crime allegations require careful preparation and a clear understanding of the legal process. Early guidance from a qualified legal practitioner can help preserve important rights and make sure that all relevant facts receive proper consideration.]]>On Behalf of Katherine A. Gonos, Attorney at Law<![CDATA[What does it mean to mount an affirmative defense?]]>https://www.gonoslaw.com/?p=504102026-06-30T00:40:10Z2026-06-30T00:40:10ZHow affirmative defense works
In a traditional defense strategy, a defense attorney tries to raise questions about what happened or to show that there's a possibility that another person committed the crime. In an affirmative defense scenario, a defense attorney concedes that certain actions occurred, but they challenge the idea that they are illegal.
Affirmative defenses essentially aim to show that actions were lawful due to unusual circumstances. A person accused of a violent crime might claim that they acted in self-defense. The law allows people to use physical force to protect themselves, their property and other people, and proving that they acted in self-defense can result in an acquittal.
There are other circumstances, such as law enforcement entrapment, acting due to duress and a lack of mental capacity, that could also provide the basis for an affirmative defense. Defendants and their lawyers often select an affirmative defense when the prosecution has a strong case, but there is a reasonable, legal explanation for a person's behavior.
Reviewing the state's evidence with a criminal defense attorney can help people choose the best possible strategy. Affirmative defenses are one of several options available to criminal defendants who want to avoid convictions.]]>On Behalf of Katherine A. Gonos, Attorney at Law<![CDATA[What to expect during drug court in Lowndes County]]>https://www.gonoslaw.com/?p=504092026-06-20T00:15:58Z2026-06-20T00:15:58ZThe system relies on intensive supervision
Drug court requires active participation by the defendant. They may need to attend one-on-one counseling sessions, group therapy and even sobriety meetings. They also typically need to routinely attend Accountability Court hearings overseen by the same judge.
They must submit to drug and alcohol testing, often as frequently as two or more times each week. Beyond that, they must also avoid any additional criminal charges while they are still actively participating in the drug court process.
Typically, drug court oversight lasts between 18 months and two years, although some cases may require more extensive intervention than others. Defendants may need assistance understanding the obligations imposed on them by the drug courts and avoiding mistakes that could make them ineligible.
For those who are eligible for drug court proceedings, supervision from the Accountability Courts can be a valuable alternative to traditional criminal prosecution. Getting experienced legal guidance with pending drug charges and the substance abuse issues that led to an arrest can help defendants determine if drug court might help them improve their situation and limit the drug-related criminal penalties they face.]]>On Behalf of Katherine A. Gonos, Attorney at Law<![CDATA[Could you get a DUI for sleeping in your car?]]>https://www.gonoslaw.com/?p=504072026-06-06T12:35:54Z2026-06-06T12:35:54Zactual physical control" of a vehicle while impaired to be guilty of an offense. Notably, this does not mean that you necessarily have to be moving at the time that you are stopped by the police.
For example, say that you have a few drinks while you are at a friend's house, and then you walk out to your car to go home. When you get there, you decide that you are too impaired to drive, so you simply try to sleep it off in the driver's seat. If a police officer came and knocked on the window, they could still charge you with impaired driving, even though the car was not moving at the time.
Why is the law set up this way?
The law seeks to prevent people from having the potential to drive their vehicle under the influence. A person who is sitting in the driver's seat with the keys in their pocket does have that potential, even if they have not exercised it yet.
This structure also aims to “get around” situations where people claim they were just sleeping and had no intention to drive, even if that is not the case. For instance, someone could be driving under the influence when they pull over to the side of the road and pass out. When the officer wakes them up, they claim they were just trying to take a nap, even though the reality is that they passed out from alcohol intoxication.
If you are impaired, the best thing you can do is stay out of a vehicle to avoid even the appearance that you are going to drive under the influence. Should you find yourself facing charges despite your best efforts, however, it is critical that you understand what legal defense options you have available to you. Seeking legal guidance can help.]]>On Behalf of Katherine A. Gonos, Attorney at Law<![CDATA[Injuries aren’t necessary for Georgia assault charges]]>https://www.gonoslaw.com/?p=503982026-05-25T15:19:47Z2026-05-25T15:19:47ZNo contact is necessary for prosecution
Georgia's assault statute has a relatively broad definition that allows for prosecution in cases without injuries. In fact, physical contact isn't even necessary for simple assault charges.
If one person menaces or physically intimidates another but fails to follow through on that threat, their attempt to put another person in immediate fear for their physical safety could warrant assault charges. If another reasonable adult might feel threatened in the same situation, the state could justify assault charges.
Similarly, if there is an attempt to cause physical injury but other people intervene or the person accused of assault trips and never makes physical contact when trying to throw a punch, the state could still prosecute them for assault in that situation. Proving that the other person was the initial aggressor or that the situation wasn't nearly serious enough to represent a credible threat could be potential strategies for those accused of assault.
There are many tactics that can lead to less serious charges, dismissed charges or reduced penalties. Reviewing what led to an arrest with a Georgia defense attorney can help those accused of assault determine the best way to fight their charges.]]>On Behalf of Katherine A. Gonos, Attorney at Law<![CDATA[Can the police read your text messages?]]>https://www.gonoslaw.com/?p=503972026-05-12T02:18:26Z2026-05-12T02:18:26ZThe use of a search warrant
The police may ask for your consent to look at your phone or for you to unlock the device. They cannot force you to do so, but they want you to agree and do it voluntarily.
If you do not give consent, then they usually need to get a search warrant. If a judge authorizes this warrant, the police can legally order you to unlock the phone. This should give them access to the text messages on your device.
One key thing to remember is that they can sometimes serve a search warrant to the entity that is in control of those messages. For instance, there was a case where police wanted to read direct messages sent on Facebook. Rather than serving the warrant to the people involved, they served that warrant to Facebook, which turned over the records.
Legally obtained evidence
It is very important for the police to legally obtain evidence in a criminal case, and that evidence can be tossed out if they do not follow proper procedures. Consider this carefully while looking into your legal defense options after an arrest.]]>On Behalf of Katherine A. Gonos, Attorney at Law<![CDATA[Leaving the store isn’t necessary for a Georgia shoplifting charge]]>https://www.gonoslaw.com/?p=503952026-04-26T02:59:42Z2026-04-26T02:59:42ZWhat other actions may constitute shoplifting?
Those intending to shoplift may engage in certain behaviors in a store to help them leave without paying for items. Those could include deactivating or removing security devices, altering or replacing price tags or moving an item into another container to take it through the checkout without paying for it. Any intentional acts that prevent the customer from paying the full price for store merchandise could potentially constitute shoplifting.
If managers, security professionals or loss prevention specialists witness misconduct that violates Georgia statutes, they can detain the person involved and contact law enforcement. People may then face charges based on the value of the merchandise involved in the situation even though they may not have ever stolen anything directly from the business.
Getting experienced legal guidance can help those who have been charged with shoplifting respond effectively. The right defense strategy can result in reduced charges, lesser penalties or even a dismissal of the criminal charge.]]>On Behalf of Katherine A. Gonos, Attorney at Law<![CDATA[What happens during DUI field sobriety testing?]]>https://www.gonoslaw.com/?p=503942026-04-06T11:48:02Z2026-04-06T11:48:02ZOfficers administer standardized tests
Contrary to humorous depictions in popular media, police officers cannot make up their own tests and impose bizarre demands on drivers to screen them during traffic stops. Instead, they typically administer the three standardized field sobriety tests in a location where they can record.
Those three tests are the one-leg stand test, the walk-and-turn test and the horizontal gaze nystagmus test. The first two involve having the driver demonstrate balance and the ability to walk in a straight line.
The third test requires that a driver follow a moving object from side to side with their eyes while keeping their heads stationary. Officers watch for muscle spasms that can be indicative of intoxication. Drivers do generally have the right to decline field sobriety testing without risking immediate arrest or additional criminal charges.
Those who fail field sobriety tests can work with a lawyer to explain their test performance or exclude poor test results in some cases. Reviewing different options for a drunk driving defense strategy with a skilled legal team can help people avoid convictions that could otherwise affect their finances, freedom and reputations.]]>On Behalf of Katherine A. Gonos, Attorney at Law<![CDATA[How strict newer laws are affecting fentanyl charges]]>https://www.gonoslaw.com/?p=503922026-03-21T01:12:08Z2026-03-21T01:12:08ZWhat is the new prosecution threshold?
Possessing any amount of illegal fentanyl is a crime. However, once the amount of fentanyl in a person's possession reaches four grams, they are at risk of a trafficking charge. Four grams is a relatively small amount, but the strength of fentanyl means that four grams of the drug is enough to cause many overdose fatalities.
The law also does not differentiate between pure fentanyl and other drugs contaminated with fentanyl. In some cases, people may have received other drugs and are unaware of the presence of fentanyl in the substances that they possess. Even moderate quantities of other drugs with fentanyl added as an adulterant can also lead to felony charges.
Anyone accused of a serious drug crime needs the support of a criminal defense attorney. Reviewing the circumstances of an arrest, including the amount of the substance allegedly found, with a skilled legal team can help people assess the risk that they face and evaluate options for fighting their charges as successfully as possible.]]>On Behalf of Katherine A. Gonos, Attorney at Law<![CDATA[How the exclusionary rule can affect criminal defense strategies]]>https://www.gonoslaw.com/?p=503902026-03-13T11:36:28Z2026-03-13T11:36:28ZWhat is the exclusionary rule?
Explicit protections outlined in Constitutional amendments and established by court rulings help protect criminal defendants from abuse by the state. The exclusionary rule is a criminal court standard related to police misconduct.
Specifically, if police officers break the law or violate a person's rights during questioning or a search, it is possible to suppress or exclude evidence from the criminal proceedings. The Fourth Amendment protects people from unreasonable searches and property seizures, and the exclusionary rule is one means of asserting that right.
If police officers conduct an inappropriate traffic stop based on racial profiling and then find evidence of alcohol impairment, the exclusionary rule might allow for the suppression of any evidence gathered during that inappropriate traffic stop. The exclusionary rule can also apply to statements and confessions made after a Miranda violation.
Evidence suppression using the exclusionary rule can be a viable tactic in a variety of circumstances. The ability to suppress evidence can have a powerful impact on a criminal case. Reviewing police officer conduct with a criminal defense lawyer can help defendants explore their options.]]>