Rules on Search and Seizure
(Separate Website)
What can police search, and when? This area of criminal investigation is extremely important, and the law sets up rules and governs what can be introduced at trial. This web site contains more information about these rules.
By: American Bar Association
Results of Illegal Searches and Seizures
This document discusses what happens when evidence is uncovered and seized by the police illegally: (1) the evidence can be excluded from the criminal trial, and (2) the police can be sued in a civil case for the harm they've caused. The document is an excerpt from An Introduction to Law in Georgia, Fourth Edition, published by the Carl Vinson Institute of Government, 1998 (updated 2004).
By: Carl Vinson Institute of Government, University of Georgia
Read this in:
Spanish / Español
The Trial Process
Criminal Process Before the Trial
The document describes the basic criminal process before trial, including booking, inital appearance, preliminary hearing, indictment, arraignment, pleading, defenses and plea bargaining. This document is an excerpt from An Introduction to Law in Georgia, Fourth Edition, published by the Carl Vinson Institute of Government, 1998 (updated 2004).
By: Carl Vinson Institute of Government, University of Georgia
Read this in:
Spanish / Español
Criminal Trial Process
This document is an excerpt from An Introduction to Law in Georgia, Fourth Edition, published by the Carl Vinson Institute of Government, 1998 (updated 2004). This document describes the basic trial process, including jury selection, opening statements, presentation of the case, closing statements, jury deliberatin and verdict.
By: Carl Vinson Institute of Government, University of Georgia
Read this in:
Spanish / Español
Criminal Sentencing and Punishment
This document is an excerpted from An Introduction to Law in Georgia, Fourth Edition, published by the Carl Vinson Institute of Government, 1998 (updated 2004). It describes the Sentencing Phase of a Criminal Trial, including: (1) Presentence Investigation, (2) Options for Sentencing (incarceration, probation, fines, restitution, community service, special programs), and (3) Purposes of Sentencing (retribution, deterrence, incapacitation, rehabilitation).
By: Carl Vinson Institute of Government, University of Georgia
Read this in:
Spanish / Español
Your Basic Constitutional Rights in the Criminal Justice System
This document is an excerpt from An Introduction to Law in Georgia, Fourth Edition, published by the Carl Vinson Institute of Government, 1998 (updated 2004). This document describes your basic rights under the U.S. Constitution in the criminal justice system.
By: Carl Vinson Institute of Government, University of Georgia
Read this in:
Spanish / Español
Other Information
Military Law Research Links
(Separate Website)
This website contains links that are useful for understanding military law and the court system, for resolving legal issues and finding source documents.
By: Military Times Media Group
When Someone with Mental Illness is Arrested in Georgia
(Separate Website)
This handbook is designed for anyone who wants information about helping a person with mental
illness who is arrested in Georgia. Although there are general procedures within the criminal justice
system that apply everywhere in the state, there are many facets of the justice system that vary from county to county. Furthermore, in some areas ( ie, Atlanta, Decatur, Savannah) there may be city
systems as well. It can be very confusing, especially to someone who has never been involved with the criminal justice system before.
The purpose of this handbook is to allow you to ask the right questions to get the information you need, should allow you to help bring the information you have to the attention of the court system to bring about a better resolution to the criminal case.
By: Georgia Public Defender Standards Council, Mental Health Advocacy Division
Adobe Acrobat Reader required. (If you are using a screen reader that does not support PDF format, copy the PDF link, and use the Access Adobe online form to convert this file to HMTL text.)
LegalAid-GA is a project of Atlanta Legal Aid Society, Georgia Legal Services Program and the Pro Bono Project of the State Bar of Georgia. The project is funded by the Legal Services Corporation and the Georgia Access to Justice Project.
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Intake Workers
(Separate Website)
