How important is acting quickly after learning about a sex crime investigation?

Answer:
Perhaps the biggest mistake people make in this situation is waiting too long to contact an attorney. Sex crimes in Georgia carry some of the harshest potential penalties of any offense in the state, and the risks involved are far too significant to delay. If you find yourself under investigation for a sex crime, get in touch with us right away so we can begin helping you.

Why Sex Crimes Carry Some of Georgia’s Harshest Penalties

Under O.C.G.A. § 17-10-6.2, Georgia requires mandatory split sentences for a long list of sexual offenses, including child molestation, enticing a child for indecent purposes, statutory rape, and sexual exploitation of children — meaning a judge has no discretion to go below the statutory minimum prison term once a conviction happens. These aren’t cases where a good outcome at sentencing can undo an early misstep in the investigation.

There’s Often No Deadline Working in Your Favor

Unlike many other crimes, sex offenses in Georgia often don’t come with a short window before the state loses its ability to charge. Rape prosecutions generally must begin within 15 years, cases involving a victim under 16 get an extended statute of limitations, and when DNA evidence is used to establish identity, several serious sex offenses have no time limit on prosecution at all. Delay doesn’t make the legal exposure disappear the way it might with a shorter-fuse charge.

Evidence Doesn’t Wait, Even If the Law Does

While the legal deadline may not be working against you, the practical one often is. Surveillance footage gets overwritten, phone carriers purge records, and witnesses’ memories fade with time. The things that could actually help establish a timeline or contradict an accusation are often only available for a limited window — and that window can close long before any formal deadline does.

What an Attorney Can Do Before Charges Are Filed

Getting a lawyer involved during the investigation itself, before any formal charge, opens options that simply don’t exist afterward. That includes managing communication with investigators so nothing said during an initial interview becomes evidence used against you, and, in some cases, presenting information that influences whether a case is even brought at all.

Why Waiting Costs You Options You Can’t Get Back

Once charges are filed, the case has already moved past several of the points where early intervention does the most good. The interview has happened, the evidence-preservation window may have closed, and the opportunity to shape how the investigation concludes is gone. Acting early isn’t about panic — it’s about not giving up ground you can’t get back later.

What to Do Next

If you find yourself under investigation for a sex crime, get in touch with us right away so we can begin helping you.

5 Star Rating

Brett and his team were beyond supportive, helpful, gracious, caring and knowledgeable! We went through the most challenging and difficult time in our life and he was there every step of the way. With results we could never have imagined but definitely prayed for.

Not to mention his level of professionalism. From the first time we spoke to the first time we saw him in court. He stood out from almost every other attorney there. We were so appreciative that our attorney looked and was so professional, pulled together and prepared. When so many others were none of these things.

Thank you just doesn’t seem like enough to convey our feelings and appreciation.

Karen L.

5 Star Rating

I tried to write this several times and it brought me to tears. First may I say this has been the hardest three years of my life. Five lawyers I interviewed and none even understood the law as it applied to my case. So I thought I would try one more and it was Brett. From our first conversation together I knew he understood the law and was the perfect one for the case. I want to say how he prepared the case and presented it, achieving a full dismissal and ruling the police violated my first amendment rights. Complete genius!!!!

If you're reading this review and unsure, stop...call Brett. He always returned my call or texts within a couple hours, never more than 24 hours. He was always courteous and knowledgeable, trust me he talked me off the ledge a couple times. I would have given him 10 stars but 5 was the only option. Thank you Brett for all you did for me!!!!!