It’s illegal for convicted felons to possess firearms in the state of Georgia unless they’ve been pardoned for the crime by the president, the State Board of Pardons and Paroles, or another entity authorized to make pardons. Being caught with a firearm as a convicted felon is a serious crime. The state treats it as a felony, and prison sentences and fines can be severe.
Title 16, Section 16-11-131 of state law stipulates that it is illegal for any felony first offenders on probation or anyone previously convicted of a felony in the US or outside of the US to possess, receive, or transport a firearm.
A firearm includes any gun, including rifles, handguns, shotguns, or any other weapon that could potentially be altered to shoot a projectile using a combustible or electrical explosion.
Georgia law states that the punishment for felons caught in possession of a firearm can be sentenced from one to five years in prison. If the past felony was of a violent nature or a “forcible felony,” the prison sentence is five years.
If you are caught with a firearm while on probation, facing charges for possession of a firearm by a convicted felon could result in a revocation of your probation. It would mean returning to prison to serve the remainder of the previous sentence.
Despite the potential consequences, there is hope for your case. The charges you’re facing are serious, but they don’t mean you’re going to prison. At the Claiborne Firm, we give our clients the time they deserve because we maintain low caseloads, allowing us to focus on building the strongest defense possible for our clients.
When you’re facing felony charges, your best option is to go on the offensive and fight your charges aggressively. At the Claiborne Firm, we take the time to investigate all strategies and craft a compelling narrative that tells your side of the story. Every case is unique, but there are some common defenses to possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, including:
The Claiborne Firm fights injustice in the legal system in all forms. We fight hard for our clients, and we don’t back down from a challenge. By only taking the cases that matter, we can devote the time your case deserves. We put all of our resources into the fight, and we would promise the same for you.
Reach out today to schedule a free, no-obligation case review to start fighting back. Give us a call at (912) 351-8775.
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