Attorney John Aspinwall Garland's Legal Cases

Criminal defense

Client facing life in prison found not guilty

Apr 11, 2014

OUTCOME: Not Guilty

A Fulton County jury returned a verdict of not guilty on all counts for a client facing life in prison on charges of Malice Murder, two counts of Felony Murder, Aggravated Assault, Possession of a Fire ... arm during the commission of a felony, and attempted sale of drugs. In a case that centered on the issue of self-defense, John Garland and Kristen Novay were able to obtain key rulings from the court to exclude irrelevant and prejudicial evidence, eventually leading to the dismissal of one of the Felony Murder counts as well as the Drug count before the case ever went to the Jury. During cross examination of the State’s key witnesses Mr. Garland and Ms. Novay were able to demonstrate the contradictions and inherent unreliability of the State’s claims. Furthermore, Ms. Novay and Mr. Garland were able to locate, subpoena and bring to the stand a police officer who provided testimony that further undermined the credibility of the State’s claims. After over 24hrs of deliberations the Jury returned a verdict of not guilty on all counts.

Criminal defense

Probation for alleged ringleader in APS cheating case

Feb 21, 2014

OUTCOME: Probation & no conviction

John, along with Don Samuel, represented the former principal of Parks Middle School in the Atlanta Public Schools case brought by the Fulton County District Attorney’s Office. John’s client was alleg ... ed to have been one the the ringleaders in a multi-year, multi-defendant RICO conspiracy to systematically cheat and change answers on the Criterion-Referenced Competency Tests (CRCT) of Atlanta Public School students. John, along with counsel for the co-defendants, challenged the constitutionality of the investigative process. John and Don were able to resolve their client’s case without any conviction, as well as avoiding jail time and serving only 5 years on probation.

Criminal defense

Georgia Supreme Court holds government wiretapping procedure unlawful

Jan 07, 2013

OUTCOME: Case Dismissed

As reported in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, the Daily Report, and Atlanta's local National Public Radio affiliate WABE, the Georgia Supreme Court held a government wiretapping procedure was unlawf ... ul and ruled to suppresses wiretap evidence in a Gwinnett County ecstasy trafficking prosecution. John Garland argued the case to the Supreme Court for all three defendants, including his client. In a unanimous decision the Court held that a Gwinnett County judge may not issue a wiretap order that allows the police to wiretap cell phones absent proof that the cell phone was used in Gwinnett County, or that the calls would be monitored in Gwinnett County. The Gwinnett County District Attorney's office dismissed all charges pending against Mr. Garland's client.

Criminal defense

Charges dropped against mix-tape DJ

Nov 15, 2010

OUTCOME: Charges dropped

John represented Atlanta-based Hip-Hop deejay, on RICO charges arising out of allegations that he produced mix-tapes without the proper authorization from the artists and labels. John was able to nego ... tiate a resolution that resulted in the State dropping all charges against his client.

Criminal defense

Child molestation charges dropped

Jun 23, 2010

OUTCOME: Case dismissed

In 2010, John represented a father in Cherokee County who was accused of sexually molesting his daughter. After John developed the many factual inconsistencies and impossibilities in the daughter’s al ... legations, the Cherokee County District Attorney’s office declined to prosecute the case.

Criminal defense

Charges dropped against couple charged with burning mother alive

May 10, 2010

OUTCOME: Dismissal

In 2010, John, along with his father and attorney Richard Grossman, represented a husband and wife who were accused of intentionally setting a fire in the basement of their home in Peachtree City that ... resulted in burns to the husband’s mother that lead to the mother’s death. As reported in The Fayette Daily News, FOX5 TV News and the Atlanta Journal & Constitution, all charges against the couple were dropped. In the AJC article by Marcus Garner, John A. Garland stated that "the facts overwhelmingly support the determination that the mother’s death was a tragic accident and his clients are innocent."

Criminal defense

Televangelist case resolved without a conviction

Mar 12, 2008

OUTCOME: First offender with probation

ohn represented a Televangelist on charges of aggravated assault based on the allegation that he attacked his wife and fellow Televangelist. Facing a potential 20 years in prison, John and Ed Garland w ... ere able to resolve the case without a conviction by negotiating a first offender disposition with one year of probation and community service.

Criminal defense

Home confinement for former MBC Financial Aid Director

Jan 31, 2007

OUTCOME: Home Confinment

John represented the former Financial Aid Director of Morris Brown University, in Federal Court in the Northern District of Georgia against the accusation that Mr. Singh committed financial aid fraud t ... hat led to the collapse of Morris Brown University. Though he was facing years in prison, John and Ed Garland negotiated a plea that resulted in 18 months home confinement.

Criminal defense

Federal drug charges dismissed

Aug 15, 2006

OUTCOME: Dismissal

In 2006, John represented a woman facing federal charges in the Northern District of Georgia for possession of cocaine and methamphetamine with the intent to distribute, as well as the possession of a ... firearm during the commission of crime. After extensive negotiation with the government, all charges were dropped against John’s client.

John Aspinwall Garland's Legal Cases (9)

Client facing life in prison found not guilty

Probation for alleged ringleader in APS cheating case

Georgia Supreme Court holds government wiretapping procedure unlawful

Charges dropped against mix-tape DJ

Child molestation charges dropped

Charges dropped against couple charged with burning mother alive

Televangelist case resolved without a conviction

Home confinement for former MBC Financial Aid Director

Federal drug charges dismissed