Attempted murder charges in Georgia can send you to prison for 30 years or more. What happened that night was probably more complicated than what the police report says. Self-defense, mistaken identity, or being in the wrong place—these matter. Call now.
In Georgia, an attempted murder charge is treated nearly as seriously as murder itself. Even if no one was physically killed, the prosecution will pursue your case with the full weight of the law. Depending on the circumstances, you could face decades in prison—including mandatory minimums—along with the lifelong stigma of a violent felony.
At J. Ryan Brown Law, we understand how Georgia law handles attempted murder, and we know how to fight back. These are some of the most serious cases we take on, and we bring strategy, intensity, and a relentless commitment to protecting your rights.
Attempted murder is not its own named offense in Georgia’s general criminal code. Instead, it’s prosecuted under two overlapping statutes:
Both sections provide different pathways to an attempted murder charge—and both can carry significant felony penalties.
A person commits criminal attempt when they take a substantial step toward committing a specific crime, even if the act falls short of completing it. In the context of attempted murder, this means:
This could include:
This specific statute targets people who try to kill or harm others to:
This is treated as a separate and serious felony, punishable by 10 to 20 years in prison.
Fulton County Superior Court
Handles felony criminal cases in Georgia’s busiest court system.
Carroll County Superior Court
Handles felonies and serious criminal matters in Carroll County.
Coweta County Superior Court
Presides over felony charges and major criminal cases.
Heard County Superior Court
Handles felony-level criminal cases and grand jury indictments.
Meriwether County Superior Court
Oversees serious criminal cases for Meriwether County.
Troup County Superior Court
Handles felony prosecutions and criminal court matters.
Attempted murder is considered a felony punishable by life imprisonment, which means the penalties for attempt are only slightly reduced compared to a completed homicide.
Under O.C.G.A. § 16-4-6:
Attempted murder almost always falls into the first category, meaning a maximum 30-year prison sentence, with a minimum of one year. However, if your case involves a witness or official proceeding under § 16-10-32, 10 years is the minimum.
Georgia Courts will consider a number of enhancements that can elevate your risk of long prison time:
People can be charged with attempted murder in a wide variety of situations—many of which began as heated disputes or misunderstandings:
Even if no bullet was fired, if the state can show that you intended to kill and took substantial steps to make that happen, you could be facing a life-altering prosecution.
Bibb County Carroll County Coweta County Fulton County Glynn County Spalding County
Areas Served
Just because you’ve been charged with attempted murder doesn’t mean you’ll be convicted. The burden of proof is on the state, and there are multiple angles from which we can defend your case.
At J. Ryan Brown Law, we start by tearing into the state’s evidence—because intent, action, and circumstantial context all matter.
Here are several defenses we may raise:
Attempted murder requires specific intent to cause death. If you acted out of fear, anger, or recklessness—but didn’t actually intend to kill—we may push for a lesser charge (like aggravated assault or reckless conduct).
You have the right to defend yourself or others if you reasonably believe you’re facing an imminent threat. We’ll explore whether you acted in lawful self-defense, especially if weapons were involved on both sides.
Georgia law requires proof that you took a substantial step toward committing the crime. Planning, fantasizing, or discussing an idea isn’t enough. We challenge vague or weak evidence that fails to meet this threshold.
Eyewitness testimony is often flawed. If there’s doubt about whether you were even present at the scene—or whether the alleged “attempt” ever occurred—we highlight those weaknesses in trial or negotiations.
If your arrest, search, interrogation, or detention violated your rights, we may file a motion to suppress critical evidence—weakening the case or forcing a dismissal.
If you’re charged under O.C.G.A. § 16-10-32, the prosecution may argue that you attempted to kill or threaten someone to interfere with a legal process—such as a trial, investigation, arrest, or probation revocation.
This is not just a violent crime. It’s also seen as an attack on the justice system, and prosecutors often pursue the maximum 20-year sentence under this statute.
Even if no injury occurred, actions like:
…could lead to serious felony charges.
We take these allegations seriously—and defend them aggressively.
Facing a charge this serious can be overwhelming. Here’s what typically happens next:
The earlier we’re involved, the more we can do to shape your defense from the ground up.
Attempted murder cases aren’t handled the same as lesser felonies. You need a criminal defense team that knows how to go head-to-head with prosecutors, understands the nuance of Georgia’s statutes, and prepares every case like it’s going to trial.
At J. Ryan Brown Law, we:
This is your life—we treat it like it’s our own.
Schedule your Consultation Now
400+
Five-Star Google Reviews
If you’re facing attempted murder charges in Newnan, Coweta County, or anywhere in Georgia, the time to act is right now. The state is already building a case against you. Start building your defense today.
