Regardless of Guilt or Innocence, performing community service is a signal that the defendant is taking the arrest seriously.
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Community service is an important aspect of Georgia Criminal Defense and Criminal Sentencing. Generally, if the conviction is for a misdemeanor or a first offense, the court many times will require community service.
1. Must Be at a Non-Profit or Governmental Agency: Mowing your neighbor’s grass is a nice favor, but it will not count as community service. The community organization should be a registered Non-Profit organization that is willing to have someone verify, in writing, that the community service was performed. (For example: Red Cross, United Way, County Animal Shelter, etc. Some jurisdictions require that all or part of the community service be performed on government projects (washing police cars, mowing the city hall lawn).
2. Accurate documentation of your community service work: It is extremely important that the community service be verified in writing on either letterhead or an official log with the organization. The documentation must clearly indicated for whom the services were provided, on what dates, and what times. Someone from the organization needs to sign the document to approve the community service.
3. Community service may be performed before or after sentencing: As a general rule, we recommend to our clients to have their community service completed before going to court for sentencing. Doing so acknowledges that just being arrested is a serious matter; regardless of guilt or innocence. Additionally, proactive work by the client signals to the judge and prosecutor that you are likely not to re-offend and can help with our negotiations with the prosecutors.
It is important that when you are facing criminal charges in Georgia that you speak to a Knowledgeable Criminal Defense Lawyer. An attorney can help you file the necessary motions to start the Discovery process.
At A. Bishop Law, our Georgia Criminal Defense Attorney welcomes questions on Criminal Defense laws, Traffic Laws and Georgia DUI laws. Please Call or Email us with any questions.
About the attorney: Anne Bishop is a Georgia Lawyer with A. Bishop Law in Gainesville, Georgia and handles various DUI / DWI, Marijuana Arrests and other Georgia Criminal Defense matters. The law office of A. Bishop Law can assist clients throughout Georgia including: Hall County (Gainesville, Oakwood, Flowery Branch), Jackson County (Jefferson, Braselton) White County (Helen, Cleveland), Lumpkin County (Dahlonega), Dawson County (Dawsonville), Habersham County (Demorest, Cornelia), and all of Northeast Georgia.
This article and/or video should not be considered nor relied upon as legal advice since it is only intended for general overview and informational purposes. Please consult with an attorney on your specific situation in order to determine an appropriate legal course of action.