The Georgia criminal justice system can be harsh, and the federal system even harsher. The sad truth is that being accused of a crime can ruin your life, even if you are innocent. The State is your enemy, not your friend, and you will need someone on your side to fight like a grizzly bear in order to be treated fairly.
What can you do in a situation like this? The answer is simple – hire the best lawyer you can to fight for your life and freedom. At Ghanayem & Rayasam, fighting for the rights of the criminally accused is not just our job – it’s our mission. We are a nationally recognized, award winning law firm with decades of litigation experience. Once you become our client, we are not going to let anyone take advantage of you – not in court and not at the plea-bargaining table. No one takes advantage of our clients. No one.
We are not a faceless mega-firm whose clients are nothing but case numbers. We are a dedicated criminal defense firm that handles each case personally. Every client of ours is important and unique. We concentrate exclusively on criminal defense law right here in Atlanta, and we know the system.
Our results are impressive and speak for themselves. We are nationally recognized and have been entrusted to handle numerous high-profile criminal cases. Some of these cases have been profiled on:
And many more media outlets
Anyone fresh out of law school can call themselves a criminal lawyer. Not just any lawyer, however, can deliver RESULTS that we can.
Contrary to what you may have been told elsewhere, there is no “cookie-cutter” approach to criminal defense. Every case is different, and requires understanding, mastering, and exploiting the complex pattern of facts that make up your individual situation. Our approach to criminal defense is based on the following process:
A Free Comprehensive Consultation - We collect detailed information about your case, explore every legal issue, and advise you of your options.
An Aggressive Approach with the Prosecution - Some cases are resolved in court, and others are resolved through plea bargaining. Rest assured, however, that we always recommend the right approach to your case for the best results possible.
Command and control of every detail of your case - We get results because we pay attention to the details so that nothing gets by us.
Everything matters when your freedom, your reputation and your future are on the line. You need the best lawyers you can get.
Please allow me a moment to express my sincerest appreciation for your counsel and professionalism in my case. Despite much determination on the part of the solicitor and court, Mr. Rayasam was able to minimize the negative impact of this case on my life. In my modest opinion he is a credit to your firm.
Thank you for all your arguments on my behalf and support. I was very happy with the way you handled my case in court.
Thank you so much for taking the time out of your schedule to help me out. Now its one less thing I have to worry about as my family moves on with our lives.
Musa Ghanayem - Founding Partner and Attorney Musa Ghanayem graduated with honors from the University of Michigan State College of Law. After graduating, he spent years with the Fulton County Office of the Public Defender’s Office and then, significantly, as a DeKalb County Assistant District Attorney prosecuting serious felonies. As a result, he knows how prosecutors think, and he builds that knowledge into his defense strategy. He has been in private practice since 2007.
Ravi Rayasam – Founding Partner and Attorney Ravi Rayasam graduated with honors from the Columbia University School of Law. He initially practiced in the business litigation division of King and Spalding, before gaining criminal law experience with the Fulton County Public Defender and Conflict Defender. He has been in private practice since 2007.
Due to our extensive experience, we practice across the broad spectrum of both state and federal criminal law, including:
Drug crimes - Both the federal government and the state of Georgia take drug crimes very seriously – in fact, you could be facing years in prison for mere possession of certain substances such as cocaine or methamphetamine, while the penalties for trafficking are even more serious. Despite popular perception, even marijuana crimes continue to be prosecuted aggressively in many jurisdictions. A number of defense options are available, depending on the circumstances, including moving to suppress the evidence G&R can help you understand these strategies and options, so you can get the best result.
Theft crimes - Penalties for theft crimes vary widely depending on the value of the items alleged to have been stolen in fact, exaggeration of the value of the item is one of the main ways that defendants are treated unfairly. We won’t let you be taken advantage of.
Violent crimes - Violent crimes range from murder to aggravated assault to sexual offenses to domestic violence and more. All of these are extremely serious crimes that can result in years of prison time. If you have been charged with one of these offenses, you absolutely must get the best lawyer possible to defend you
Federal crimes - Many crimes can be charged at either the Federal level or the state level. However, the penalties for Federal crimes tend to be more serious. The Federal system is very, very different from the state system, so make sure you get a lawyer who understands Federal law. Our attorneys enjoy extensive experience representing clients under both systems.
Probation offenses, expungements and post-conviction relief - Your legal problems (and opportunities) may not end with conviction for a crime. A probation violation, for example, could leave you facing years in prison. Meanwhile, a successful expungement could grant you a new lease on life. Either way, it’s critical to understand that your criminal case may have consequences for many years after you leave court. We can help you deal with those consequences
White collar crimes - White collar crimes are no less serious than traditional “blue collar” crimes such as theft and assault. In fact, conviction of many such crimes, such as financial fraud and embezzlement can leave you facing decades behind bars unless you know just how to deal with the system. We do.
DUI – Driving under the influence, DUI, is perhaps the most common criminal offense in Georgia, but it is certainly not the least serious. You face a variety of possible penalties including fines, jail time, loss of your driver’s license and even community service. You don’t even have to “blow” the legal limit of 0.08 percent to be convicted. Fortunately, a number of possible defenses are available. Don’t just use any criminal defense lawyer for your DUI case – you need a specialist. We have one of the finest DUI lawyers in the State of Georgia on our staff to help you deal with your DUI offense.
Victim Representation – Oftentimes, victims feel they are at the mercy of the justice system and that their voice is not getting heard. We have extensive experience representing victims, so that they have their own lawyer to help them navigate the criminal courts, while also pursuing restitution in the civil courts.
Civil Defense – Unfortunately, there are times a criminal case can have repercussions which extend far beyond a criminal court. Protective Orders, lawsuits, and other collateral consequences can arise from a criminal case. We can help you with these matters so that one law firm handles all of the aspects of your case.
Facing any type of criminal charge in Georgia is a serious matter, and it is important to get professional representation right away. At Ghanayem & Rayasam, our Georgia criminal defense attorneys protect your rights and provide the trusted legal guidance you need. The following are answers to frequently asked questions we hear from clients:
In the Georgia Criminal Court, criminal charges fall under one of two categories:
Depending on your charges and the circumstances involved, the criminal court process typically includes the following:
Under the Georgia Criminal Code, misdemeanor offenses can result in fines of thousands of dollars and anywhere from a month to a year behind bars. You may also be ordered to attend mandatory counseling, drug, or alcohol therapy, perform community service, and check in with the court regularly.
With felony offenses, penalties are more severe. In addition to hundreds of thousands of dollars in fines, court costs, and payment of restitution to victims, you could also be facing a lengthy prison sentence, which may or may not include the possibility of parole and long probationary periods once you are released.
At Ghanayem & Rayasam, we act as strong legal advocates on the side of people who face criminal charges in Georgia, taking the swift actions needed to protect them. This includes:
With so much at stake in criminal court cases, get our experienced Georgia criminal defense attorneys on your side. Call or contact our office online today to request a consultation.
Our practice is not limited to this list. Contact us if you have been accused of a crime to see how we can help you.
If you have been arrested, investigated or charged with a crime in the Atlanta metro area, time matters. Contact the experienced criminal defense attorneys at Ghanayem & Rayasam immediately by calling 404-561-0202, even from jail, or by contacting us online. Our office is located in Atlanta and we serve clients throughout Fulton County, DeKalb County, Gwinnett County, Clayton County, Cobb County, the Northern District of Georgia, and other Atlanta area courts.