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Practice Areas: Criminal Defense

Additional Information:
Brandon A. Cline is an attorney practicing law in Lowndes County and the Atlanta Metropolitan area. A 1998 graduate of Georgia State University, Attorney Cline earned his Law Degree from the Shepard Broad Law Center at Nova Southeastern University in Ft. Lauderdale, FL in 2002. From his office in Peachtree City, Attorney Cline specializes in criminal law, DUI/DWI, estate planning, family law and wills in Clayton County.

Criminal law is the body of law that relates to crime. Criminal law sets the boundaries of social conduct in order to prevent threatening, harming and otherwise damaging the health, safety and moral welfare of others. It also provides punishment for those who have committed offenses. Criminal law regulates social behavior in five ways. The first manner is retribution, meaning that criminals should suffer in some way for their crimes. The second objective is deterrence. By imposing penalties on criminals, the law prevents others who may commit a crime from doing so for fear of the punishment. The law also seeks to incapacitate criminals, or to remove them from society so that they cannot do anymore harm. Accordingly, the law also aims to rehabilitate criminals so that they can return to society as productive members of a community. Finally, the law seeks to restore the victim of a crime to his or her status prior to the offense. In order for an act to be deemed “criminal” by the law, two elements must be present. First, there must be Actus reus, which is Latin for “guilty act.” It is the physical element of committing the crime. It can happen by action, threat of action or failure to act when there is a legal duty. The second element of a crime is Mens rea, which means “guilty mind.” It means that the perpetrator intended to commit a wrongful act. Family law is the field of law that deals with family matters and domestic relations. Areas is covers include marriage, civil unions and domestic partnerships as well as child adoption and surrogacy. Other matters include divorce, annulments, child custody and visitation and alimony. Juveniles being brought under the courts jurisdiction are also affected by family law, as are cases involving paternity testing and paternity fraud.

Estate planning is the term used to describe a person planning the disposal of his or her assets after death. Estate planning clients seek to eliminate uncertainty during the probate process as well as to maximize the value of the estate by reducing taxes and cutting other expenses. Parents with minor children also appoint guardians in the event of their passing and beneficiaries are named to claim the inheritance. Estate lawyers use wills, trusts, beneficiary designation and powers of attorney and gifts in order to achieve those ends. Clients who are facing DUI/DWI charges should contact legal representation immediately. Penalties are stiff for driving under the influence, especially for those with prior offenses. They include fines, probation, incarceration and suspension or revocation of driving privileges. An experienced attorney can minimize the impact being arrested for DUI will have on your life.