Marietta Criminal Defense Lawyer Built on Both Sides
of the Bench.
When the State has the burden of proof, you need a defense team that knows exactly how that burden is built. Former judge. Former prosecutor. Now defending DUI, felony, drug, and serious criminal cases across Marietta and Cobb County.
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Former Judge
Cobb County Magistrate insight from inside the courtroom.
Former Prosecutor
We know how the State builds its case. We used to build them.
Your Defense
Defending the accused across Cobb County and Metro Atlanta.
Criminal Defense That Starts Where Most Lawyers’ Experience Ends.
If you’ve been arrested or charged in Marietta, Cobb County, or anywhere in Greater Atlanta, the next 48 hours matter. Bond decisions get made. Statements get taken. Evidence gets preserved. Or it gets lost. The choices made in that window often shape the outcome of the entire case.
Moore Law Center exists for exactly that moment. Founded by Gerald E. Moore, a former Cobb County magistrate judge and former prosecutor, the firm represents clients facing DUI, felony, misdemeanor, drug, probation, and bond matters across Georgia. Our Marietta criminal defense practice is built on something most defense lawyers can’t offer. Years spent on the bench. Years spent at the prosecution table. Watching how cases get charged, plea-bargained, tried, and sentenced.
That dual perspective is the foundation of our defense strategy. We predict the State’s next move because we’ve made it. We know which arguments resonate with Cobb County judges because we used to sit in their seat. And we know what evidence holds up. We know what doesn’t. We’ve been on the other side of the cross-examination.
For the people of Marietta and Cobb County, that experience translates to one thing. A defense team that walks into court already knowing the room.
What sets a Marietta criminal defense practice apart from a generalist firm is local fluency. We try cases in front of the same judges. We negotiate with the same prosecutors. We answer to the same juries week after week. We know which assistant DAs are open to plea negotiations on first-offender DUI cases. We know which take every felony case to the wall. We know which Cobb County magistrates set reasonable bond amounts. That on-the-ground knowledge is the difference between a defense built from a textbook and a defense built from twenty-plus years of standing in the well of Cobb County’s courtrooms.
Focused Criminal Defense Representation
Serious legal matters require clear strategy, fast action, and experienced counsel. We focus on Georgia criminal defense. Nothing else.
DUI / DWI Defense
Aggressive Marietta DUI defense to protect your license, your record, and your future. We handle DUI less safe, DUI per se, and refusal cases under O.C.G.A. § 40-6-391.
Criminal Charges
Strategic representation for the full range of Georgia criminal charges. From arraignment through trial. Cobb County State and Superior Court.
Felony Charges
Strong defenses built for high-stakes accusations and serious consequences. Felony convictions in Georgia carry prison time and lifetime collateral consequences.
Misdemeanor Charges
Misdemeanors in Georgia still carry up to 12 months in jail and a permanent record. We work to reduce, divert, or dismiss every charge we can.
Drug Offenses
Focused defense for VGCSA possession, distribution, and trafficking charges, plus marijuana and prescription drug cases throughout Cobb County.
Probation Revocations
Probation violation hearings carry a lower burden of proof. We represent clients before Cobb County Superior Court to keep your sentence intact.
Bond Hearings
Get out faster. We argue Cobb County jail bond hearings to secure reasonable bond amounts and release conditions for clients in custody.
See All Practice Areas
Full case-type breakdown. Georgia statutes. Defense strategies for each charge.
Experience From Both Sides of the Courtroom
From the Cobb County Magistrate bench to the prosecutor’s table. Our team brings courtroom experience few firms in Marietta can match. We know how Georgia cases are built. We know how to take them apart.
- AV Preeminent®. The highest peer rating from Martindale-Hubbell.
- American Jurisprudence Award. Federal Courts, Santa Clara University School of Law.
- Former Cobb County Magistrate Judge.
- Former Prosecutor. State of Georgia.
- Member, State Bar of Georgia.
Strategic Defense
Built on preparation, courtroom insight, and Georgia case law.
Direct Communication
Clear guidance at every stage. You will know what is happening and why.
Trusted Counsel
Confident representation when the stakes are high. They are always high.
Defending Clients Across Greater Atlanta
Our office is in Marietta, but our practice extends across the metro counties where the State files most of its cases.
Cobb County
Marietta, Smyrna, Kennesaw, Acworth, Powder Springs, Austell. Our home court.
Fulton County
Atlanta, Sandy Springs, Roswell, Alpharetta, East Point, College Park.
Cherokee County
Canton, Woodstock, Holly Springs, Ball Ground.
Douglas County
Douglasville, Lithia Springs, Villa Rica.
Gwinnett County
Lawrenceville, Duluth, Peachtree Corners, Norcross.
DeKalb County
Decatur, Dunwoody, Brookhaven, Tucker.
Paulding County
Dallas, Hiram.
Bartow County
Cartersville, Emerson.
Fayette County
Fayetteville, Peachtree City, Tyrone.
Trusted When It Matters Most
Real reviews from people who hired Moore Law Center when their freedom, their record, or their license was on the line.
“Mr. Moore got my charges reduced and the case resolved in a single hearing. He kept me calm and informed every step of the way.
Madeline P. · Google review
“Phenomenal man and even better attorney. My case was dismissed. Everything he told me was the exact truth.
Russell K. · Google review
“Best priced. Payment plan. Means business. Mr. Moore got my sentence reduced and was up front with me from the start.
Jose I. · Google review
“Mr. Moore provided excellent, friendly, and compassionate service for my husband. Reduced the charges and got the license reinstated.
Lucretia W. · Google review
“I have practiced in front of him as a magistrate judge. Highly knowledgeable and principled.
Peer Attorney · Martindale-Hubbell
Answers Before You Call
The questions Marietta clients ask most often when they reach out for the first time.
How much does a criminal defense lawyer cost in Marietta, GA?
Criminal defense fees in Marietta vary based on the charge, complexity, and whether the case proceeds to trial. Misdemeanors typically start in the low thousands. Felonies and DUIs are higher. Moore Law Center offers transparent flat fees and accepts payment plans through LawPay, in some cases up to 24 months, so cost does not stand between you and qualified defense.
Is it worth hiring a criminal defense attorney for a misdemeanor?
Yes. Even a Georgia misdemeanor can carry up to 12 months in jail, fines up to $1,000, a permanent criminal record, and collateral consequences for employment, housing, professional licenses, and immigration status. A defense attorney can negotiate reductions, pursue diversion programs, or fight for dismissal. Those outcomes are difficult to achieve without representation.
What is the difference between a misdemeanor and a felony in Georgia?
In Georgia, a misdemeanor is punishable by up to 12 months in county jail and $1,000 in fines (or $5,000 for high and aggravated misdemeanors). A felony carries more than 12 months in state prison and can result in significantly higher fines, loss of voting rights, and lifetime restrictions on firearm ownership. Moore Law Center handles both. See misdemeanor charges and felony charges for full details.
How long does a DUI stay on your record in Georgia?
A Georgia DUI conviction stays on your criminal record for life. Georgia does not allow DUI convictions to be sealed or expunged. However, a skilled defense attorney can sometimes negotiate a reduction to reckless driving, which carries far fewer long-term consequences. We pursue this option aggressively when the facts of the case support it. Read more on our DUI defense page.
Can I get out of jail without a bond hearing in Cobb County?
Some misdemeanor charges in Cobb County have a preset bond schedule that allows release without a hearing. Most felony charges and certain misdemeanors require a bond hearing before a magistrate or superior court judge. Moore Law Center represents clients at Cobb County Superior Court bond hearings to argue for reasonable bond amounts and release conditions.
What happens if I violate probation in Georgia?
A probation violation in Georgia can result in your original sentence being imposed in full, additional jail time, new probation conditions, or full revocation. The standard of proof at a revocation hearing is lower than at trial. It is preponderance of the evidence rather than beyond a reasonable doubt. Having an attorney at the revocation hearing is critical.
Do you offer payment plans?
Yes. Moore Law Center accepts LawPay, which allows clients to spread legal fees over time. In some cases up to 24 months. This avoids large upfront costs and helps clients access experienced criminal defense in emergency situations. Ask about LawPay during your free consultation.
Talk to a Defense Team That Knows How to Fight
Every case starts with a conversation. Get clear next steps, honest guidance, and experienced legal counsel tailored to your situation. Consultations are free and confidential.
191 Roswell St NE, Suite 100, Marietta, GA 30060
678-699-3406
gerald@moorelawcenter.com