Adam Hames | Atlanta Criminal Defense Lawyer

Trial

State of Georgia v. J.J | Newton County, client acquitted of stalking charge. United States v. SK | U.S. District Court Gainesville, GA, client acquitted of all charges by the judge because Mr. Hames argued there was not sufficient evidence as a matter of law. Lamar Willis v. Georgia Secretary of State | Fulton County successfully defended former city councilman Lamar Willis of claims of fraud, misappropriation, and self-dealing by the Georgia Secretary of State. After a bench trial, the judge found only that Councilman Willis had failed to properly register his charity and that there was no evidence of wrongdoing by him or the charity. United States v. DT | U.S. District Court Atlanta GA, client acquitted of all substantive counts of mortgage and bank fraud and several counts of money laundering. Even though the client was convicted of a conspiracy count his sentence was five years less than the Government’s best offer prior to trial.

Pre-Trial and Investigation

In the matter of CW | The Client avoided computer hacking and trespass charges in favor of an administrative settlement. In the matter of SP | The US Attorney’s Office declined to prosecute Mr. Hames’ client with criminal charges in the face of allegations of theft of trade secrets, computer trespass, and corporate espionage. In the matter of WS | After a thorough investigation of the facts and a presentation to the District Attorney’s Office, the client avoided potential charges of rape and kidnapping. In the matter of XX | The Client involved in a nasty divorce was alleged to have committed child molestation. After investigating the facts and making a presentation to the District Attorney’s Office the other spouse was charged with making a false report.

Appellate

Cosmo v. State, 320 Ga.App. 397, 739 S.E.2d 828 (2013). | Successfully overturned a conviction for a violation of the "Computer or Electronic Pornography and Child Exploitation Prevention Act." Although a portion of the opinion was later overturned, this case caused the Georgia General Assembly to rewrite O.C.G.A. §16-12-100.2. Rutter v. Rutter, 294 Ga. 1, 749 S.E.2d 657 (2013) | Mr. Hames successfully argued on certiorari that the Georgia Court of Appeals was incorrect on their interpretation and application of OCGA § 16–11–62(2) involving videotaping surveillance. Lejeune v. McLaughlin, 299 Ga. 546, 789 S.E.2d 191 (2016) | Mr. Hames successfully overturned the habeas court’s ruling and the Georgia Supreme Court agreed that the murder conviction could not stand. Mr. Hames fought for seven years to have this result. Tesler v. State, 295 Ga. App. 569, 672 S.E.2d 522(2009) | State conviction for making a false statement set aside in the infamous Kathryn Johnston shooting case. Whipkey v. State, A19A2388, (GA. App. Feb. 2, 2020) | Reversed a trial court’s denial of the right to amend the motion for a new trial. State v. Thackston, 289 Ga. 412, 716 S.E.2d 517 (2011) | The Georgia Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers asked me to file an amicus brief on the issue of whether the exclusionary rule applies in probation revocation proceedings.

Professionalism on Appeal as Reflected in the Rules of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit, Written Materials forECAPI, October .

2008

Raising Claims of Ineffective Assistance of Counsel on Appeal in Georgia, The Appellate Review, Vol. 4, Number 1 (November ).

2004

Review of the Georgia Supreme Court’s Appellate Practice Decisions for through Article for ICLE’s Georgia Appellate Practice Seminar .

2002 / 2003 / 2003