Binding Criminal Cases Over in Georgia (Part 1)
What does it mean to bind a case over?
Many state level misdemeanors like traffic citations, driving under the influence (DUIs), and other state level misdemeanor crimes such as Shoplifting, Possession of Marijuana (Less than 1 oz.), Criminal Trespass, and more, originate in the Municipal Court of the city where the alleged offense took place. If someone is charged with state-level offenses, they have a Constitutional right to a “public and speedy trial by an impartial jury.” Since Municipals Courts in Georgia do not hold jury trials. Therefore, in order for a defendant to obtain a jury trial, he must make a demand for jury trial to Municipal Court. The Municipal Court will then “bind over” the case to the State Court of the county where the alleged offense took place. If there is no State Court in that county, the Municipal Court will bind the case to the county Superior Court.
Is your offense eligible to be bound over?
Not all offenses are eligible to bind over to State or Superior Court. If your case is not eligible to be bound over, you do not have a right to a jury trial. Georgia courts distinguish between crimes that are “solely violations of local or municipal ordinances,” and crimes where the offense is a violation of an ordinance as well as a misdemeanor under state law. Where there is an offense of a local ordinance and a state level offense, the State/Superior Court has “concurrent” jurisdiction over the case.
Generally, if you are charged with a misdemeanor you have the right to bind your case over. For instance, if you are charged with speeding, you have the right to a jury trial which means you have the absolute right to bind your case over to State/ Superior Court. Clark v. State. Also, as Marijuana is becoming more and more common in America, Georgia has implemented a statute that allows defendants accused of Possession of Marijuana (Less than 1 oz.) to bind their case over to State/ Superior Court.
However, if you are accused of violating a local zoning ordinance, you most likely will not have the right to neither a jury trial or to bind your case over because zoning violations are not state level misdemeanors. Determining what your charges are is the first step in determining whether you should bind your case over.
If you or someone you know is charged with a crime and would like to bind your case over, don’t hesitate to contact us.
Call us at 678.324-8511;
E-mail us at Info@LawrenceLegal.Law; or
Click here to schedule a consultation.
- Published in Criminal, Criminal Defense
Georgia Attorney Addresses Drug Possession
Charged with Possession of Marijuana?
Being caught in possession of a controlled substance does not make you an addict. But it can feel like that is what you are accused of, after you’ve been arrested for drug possession and people find out what happened. The stigma attached to a drug possession charge is often the most stressful thing about such a life event.
Unfortunately, the stigma is now the least of your worries. You’ve got a serious legal problem to deal with. Drug possession charges can result in years behind bars and potentially a lifetime of carrying the “convicted felon” label.
This means it can affect your job, your education, your housing, your personal relationships, and even your marriage. Though such charges are often taken lightly, they are quite serious and should be treated accordingly.
Remember a criminal charge is NOT a conviction.If you or a family member has been arrested for a drug possession offense, call us at 678-324-8511 or click here to discuss the particulars of your case by scheduling an initial consultation. You deserve to go through this ordeal with a committed defense attorney on your team.
- Published in Criminal Defense, Drug Crime