Why Criminal Cases Move Fast.
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01
Prosecutor Builds First
Without a defense voice, the State's narrative becomes the only narrative the court hears.
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02
Pretrial Options Are Time-Limited
Diversion, deferred prosecution, and reduction conversations happen early or not at all.
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03
Evidence Disappears
Witnesses move. Memories fade. Surveillance footage gets overwritten. Acting now preserves your defense.
Former Cobb Magistrate Judge
Judicial experience presiding over criminal cases in Cobb County courts.
Former Cobb County Prosecutor
Insider knowledge of how the State builds and runs criminal cases.
AV Preeminent® Peer Rated
Highest peer rating from Martindale-Hubbell for legal ability and ethics.
State Bar of Georgia
Active Member in Good Standing. Licensed since 1997.
Three Sides of the System.
One Defense Team.
Gerald Moore is not a career defense attorney who has only ever worked one side of the courtroom. He is a former Cobb County magistrate judge who presided over criminal hearings. A former Cobb County assistant district attorney who prosecuted criminal cases. And now, the senior defense attorney at Moore Law Center who uses that rare combination of experience to defend people facing criminal charges across Cobb County and the surrounding Georgia communities.
That perspective matters. Gerald Moore knows how judges evaluate evidence because he sat on the bench. He knows how prosecutors build their cases because he was one. He knows where the weaknesses are because he has seen them from both sides.
Types of Criminal Charges We Defend in Cobb County
Criminal law in Georgia covers a wide range of offenses. We handle the full spectrum. From a misdemeanor traffic citation to a serious felony, we build a defense strategy tailored to your specific charges.
DUI / DWI
License suspension, ignition interlock, and a permanent record. Georgia's implied consent laws and BAC thresholds create a complex landscape. Read more →
Felony Charges
Penalties exceeding 12 months in state prison, heavy fines, loss of voting rights, and firearm prohibitions. Read more →
Misdemeanor Charges
Up to 12 months in jail, $1,000 in fines, and a permanent record affecting employment, housing, and licensing. Read more →
Drug Charges
Possession, intent to distribute, manufacturing, and trafficking. Marijuana, prescription, and DUI-drug cases. Read more →
Assault & Battery
Simple assault under O.C.G.A. § 16-5-20 is a misdemeanor. Aggravated assault under § 16-5-21 is a felony carrying 1 to 20 years.
Theft & Property Crimes
Theft under $1,500 is a misdemeanor. Over $1,500 is a felony. Includes shoplifting, burglary, robbery, and criminal trespass.
Hit and Run
Under O.C.G.A. § 40-6-270, leaving the scene of an accident with injury or death is a felony. Property-only is a misdemeanor.
Reckless Driving
Under O.C.G.A. § 40-6-390: up to 12 months in jail, $1,000 fine, 4 points on license. Often the negotiated reduction in DUI cases.
Four Steps. Every Case.
Every criminal case is different. Drug possession requires a different strategy than assault. A first-time defendant needs a different approach than someone with priors. What stays constant is our process.
Immediate Case Evaluation
The first 48 hours after an arrest are critical. Evidence can be lost. Witnesses disappear. Administrative deadlines start ticking. We move fast. Same-day evaluation, advisement, and defense strategy.
Evidence Investigation
Police reports. Body cam. Dashcam. Witness statements. Test results. Forensic data. Chain of custody. We identify procedural errors, constitutional violations, and factual weaknesses that work for your defense.
Challenging the Prosecution
Gerald Moore was a Cobb County assistant district attorney. He knows the prosecution's playbook because he ran it. That insider knowledge translates directly into more effective defense strategies.
Negotiation & Trial Readiness
Charge reductions. Plea agreements. Pretrial diversion. First Offender Act treatment. We pursue every avenue. But we prepare every case as if it is going to trial.
How a Criminal Case Moves Through Cobb County
Understanding the system reduces uncertainty. Here is how a criminal case moves from arrest to resolution in Cobb County.
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1
Arrest & Booking
You will be processed at the Cobb County Adult Detention Center. Fingerprinted. Photographed. Assigned a case number. You may be held until a bond hearing or released on recognizance.
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2
First Appearance & Bond Hearing
A magistrate judge reviews charges and sets bond conditions. Gerald Moore spent years on the Cobb County magistrate bench handling exactly these hearings.
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3
Arraignment
You are formally notified of the charges and asked to enter a plea. Your defense attorney begins engaging with the prosecution.
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4
Discovery & Pretrial
Both sides exchange evidence. Your attorney files motions to suppress evidence, challenge procedural errors, or dismiss charges.
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5
Trial or Resolution
Most cases resolve through negotiation. If not, the case goes to trial. Misdemeanors in State Court. Felonies in Superior Court. Jury trial is your right for any charge with potential jail time.
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Sentencing & Post-Conviction
If convicted, sentencing follows. Georgia's First Offender Act may seal the charge for first-timers. Probation violations can trigger revocation proceedings.
Why a Former Judge and Prosecutor Is the Defense Attorney You Want
The Marietta criminal defense market is competitive. Most attorneys have only worked one side of the courtroom. Gerald Moore has worked three.
He does not guess how judges think. He knows because he was one. He does not speculate about prosecution strategy. He knows because he built it himself.
Gerald Moore holds an AV Preeminent peer rating from Martindale-Hubbell, the highest distinction for legal ability and ethical standards. He carries a 4.9 out of 5.0 peer review rating from 10 attorney reviews. He is an active member in good standing with the State Bar of Georgia. He earned his J.D. from Santa Clara University School of Law and his B.A. in Sociology of Law from the University of California, Davis. Working alongside Gerald is Reid M. Kennedy, a lifelong Cobb County resident.
Meet Gerald MooreServing Marietta, Cobb County, and Surrounding Georgia
Each county has its own court system, judges, prosecutors, and procedural preferences. We have practiced in all of them.
Cobb County Criminal Defense
Marietta, Kennesaw, Acworth, Smyrna, Powder Springs. State and Superior Court.
Fulton County Criminal Defense
Atlanta, Roswell, Alpharetta, Sandy Springs.
Cherokee County Criminal Defense
Canton, Woodstock, Holly Springs.
Douglas County Criminal Defense
Douglasville, Lithia Springs.
Gwinnett County Criminal Defense
Lawrenceville, Duluth, Peachtree Corners, Norcross.
DeKalb County Criminal Defense
Decatur, Dunwoody, Brookhaven, Tucker.
Paulding County Criminal Defense
Dallas, Hiram.
Bartow County Criminal Defense
Cartersville, Emerson.
Fayette County Criminal Defense
Fayetteville, Peachtree City, Tyrone.
What Our Peers and Clients Say
Verified reviews from attorneys and clients who have worked with Gerald Moore.
I have worked with Gerald E. Moore both as a colleague and practiced in front of him when he was a magistrate judge. I find him to be highly knowledgeable and principled.
Peer Attorney · Martindale-Hubbell
Phenomenal man and even better attorney. My case was dismissed due to Attorney Moore. Everything he told me was the exact truth.
Russell K. · Google review
Mr. Moore provided excellent, friendly, and compassionate service for my husband. He was able to reduce the charges and get the driver's license reinstated.
Lucretia W. · Google review
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Criminal Charges in Georgia, Answered
Common questions clients ask before they call.
What is the difference between a felony and a misdemeanor in Georgia?
Misdemeanors carry a maximum penalty of 12 months in county jail and a $1,000 fine. Felonies carry penalties exceeding 12 months and are served in state prison. Some offenses, like theft, can be charged as either depending on the dollar amount. A felony conviction results in the loss of certain civil rights including voting and firearm possession.
Can criminal charges be dropped or dismissed in Georgia?
Yes. Charges can be dismissed for insufficient evidence, procedural errors, constitutional violations during the arrest, successful completion of pretrial diversion, or plea negotiations. An experienced criminal defense attorney evaluates the evidence and identifies the strongest path toward dismissal or reduction.
What should I do if I am arrested in Cobb County?
Remain calm. Exercise your right to remain silent. Do not answer questions without an attorney present. Contact a criminal defense attorney immediately. If held in Cobb County jail, your attorney can request a bond hearing to seek your release. Do not discuss your case with anyone other than your lawyer.
What is simple assault in Georgia and what are the penalties?
Simple assault under O.C.G.A. § 16-5-20 involves attempting to commit a violent injury or placing someone in reasonable apprehension of receiving one. It is a misdemeanor punishable by up to 12 months in jail and a $1,000 fine. If the alleged victim is a family member, the charge may carry enhanced domestic violence penalties.
What are the penalties for hit and run in Georgia?
Under O.C.G.A. § 40-6-270, leaving the scene of an accident involving injury or death is a felony carrying one to five years in prison. Leaving the scene of a property-damage-only accident is a misdemeanor. The severity depends on whether anyone was injured.
What is reckless driving in Georgia and can it go on my criminal record?
Reckless driving under O.C.G.A. § 40-6-390 is a misdemeanor. Penalties include up to 12 months in jail, fines up to $1,000, and 4 points on your license. It does appear on your criminal record. In DUI cases, a reduction to reckless driving is often the best possible outcome through plea negotiations.
How much does a criminal defense attorney in Marietta cost?
Costs vary by charge severity and case complexity. Moore Law Center offers free initial consultations and flexible payment plans through LawPay. Call 678-699-3406 to discuss your situation.
Where are criminal cases heard in Cobb County?
Misdemeanors including DUI are heard in Cobb County State Court. Felonies are heard in Cobb County Superior Court. Minor offenses may be handled in municipal courts in Marietta, Kennesaw, Acworth, Smyrna, or other Cobb County cities. Gerald Moore has experience in all of these courts as a former magistrate judge and former prosecutor.
Contact a Marietta Criminal Defense Attorney Today
If you are facing criminal charges in Marietta, Cobb County, or anywhere in the surrounding Georgia communities, time matters. Evidence can be lost. Deadlines can pass. The sooner you have a defense attorney working on your case, the stronger your position.
191 Roswell St NE, Suite 100, Marietta, GA 30060
678-699-3406
info@moorelawcenter.com