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Real Case Results From North Georgia's Courtrooms

When your freedom and future are on the line, you want a criminal defense team with a proven track record. These are real outcomes for real clients across Cherokee, Pickens, Gilmer, Fannin, and Dawson Counties.

Why Our Case Results Matter

We don’t just talk about fighting for our clients—we deliver results. Every case is different, but our approach stays consistent: thorough preparation, strategic defense, and relentless advocacy. Here’s what that looks like in practice.

Please note: Past results do not guarantee future outcomes. Every case is unique and depends on its specific facts and circumstances.
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Turning Challenges Into Wins.

Recent Criminal Defense Victories

DUI Defense Results

Case Dismissed

Cherokee DUI

Client was charged with driving under the influence of prescription medication, inhaling gasoline, and operating a vehicle without headlights. Michael showed the jury the officers’ errors in field sobriety testing and the client’s inability to perform field sobriety due to birth defects the client was acquitted of DUI and received a nominal fine for the headlight violation.

Reduced to Reckless Driving

Pickens DUI

Client was charged with DUI and arrested without preliminary breath tests, field sobriety, or other indicators of impair except for the smell of an alcoholic beverage. The client also submitted a breath analysis. Through motions and argument Michael was able to show that the arrest lacked probably cause and the results of the breath test were also inadmissible due to lack of actual consent due to incorrect reading of implied consent. Client paid a nominal fine for a traffic violation.

Not Guilty Verdict

Cherokee DUI

John Luke’s client was charges with DUI marijuana. The client had performed field sobriety, and a blood test was taken. At trial, through cross examination of the State’s forensic toxicologist, John Luke was able to show the jury there is no set quantified amount of marijuana in the blood which can lead a person to be a less safe driver. Client was acquitted of DUI.
Case Dismissed

Cherokee DUI

Client was charged with driving under the influence of prescription medication, inhaling gasoline, and operating a vehicle without headlights. Michael showed the jury the officers’ errors in field sobriety testing and the client’s inability to perform field sobriety due to birth defects the client was acquitted of DUI and received a nominal fine for the headlight violation.

Reduced to Reckless Driving

Pickens DUI

Client was charged with DUI and arrested without preliminary breath tests, field sobriety, or other indicators of impair except for the smell of an alcoholic beverage. The client also submitted a breath analysis. Through motions and argument Michael was able to show that the arrest lacked probably cause and the results of the breath test were also inadmissible due to lack of actual consent due to incorrect reading of implied consent. Client paid a nominal fine for a traffic violation.

Not Guilty Verdict

Cherokee DUI

John Luke’s client was charges with DUI marijuana. The client had performed field sobriety, and a blood test was taken. At trial, through cross examination of the State’s forensic toxicologist, John Luke was able to show the jury there is no set quantified amount of marijuana in the blood which can lead a person to be a less safe driver. Client was acquitted of DUI.

Drug Crime Defense Results

Case Dismissed

Pickens

After a traffic stop the client was arrested for possession of methamphetamine and speeding. Through motions Michael was able to show from the police dash camera that the law enforcement officer was tail gating the client in the middle of the night forcing the client to exceed the speed limit. Case dismissed.
Case Dismissed

Pickens

Client was charged with Trafficking methamphetamine along with a co-defendant. The client was merely a passenger in the vehicle. Through John Luke’s negotiations the case was dismissed.

Case Dismissed

Pickens County Prescription Fraud

Client accused of doctor shopping for pain medication. Investigation revealed legitimate medical needs and proper prescriptions. Prosecutor dismissed all charges.
Case Dismissed

Pickens

After a traffic stop the client was arrested for possession of methamphetamine and speeding. Through motions Michael was able to show from the police dash camera that the law enforcement officer was tail gating the client in the middle of the night forcing the client to exceed the speed limit. Case dismissed.
Case Dismissed

Pickens

Client was charged with Trafficking methamphetamine along with a co-defendant. The client was merely a passenger in the vehicle. Through John Luke’s negotiations the case was dismissed.

Case Dismissed

Pickens County Prescription Fraud

Client accused of doctor shopping for pain medication. Investigation revealed legitimate medical needs and proper prescriptions. Prosecutor dismissed all charges.

Violent Crime Defense Results

Not Guilty

Cherokee Violent Crime

Client was charged with Felony Murder, Racketeering, and Violation of the Street Gangs and Terrorism Act along with seven other co-defendants. Michael presented a defense of abandonment of criminal conspiracy on behalf of his client. Michael’s client was facing life without the possibility of parole. After three weeks of trial the jury returned a split verdict. Michael’s client was acquitted of Murder and received an eight-year sentence for gang violations.
Charges Dismissed

Dawson County Violent Crime

John Luke and Michael represent a client charged with Felony Murder and Aggravated Assault. The charges stemmed from an altercation with the victim where the client punched the victim one time resulting in the victim’s death. After days of motions and negotiations the case was reduced to involuntary manslaughter.

Bartow

Fannin County Battery

Client was charged with aggravated assault after allegedly pointing a firearm at the victim in a road rage incident. John Luke was able to obtain video from inside the cab of the client’s semi-truck from his employer showing that the victim attempted to run the client off the road on several occasions. All charges were dismissed.

Gilmer County

Client was charged with Malice Murder, Felony Murder, Armed Robbery, Robbery by Force, Aggravated Battery, Aggravated Assault, Burglary in the First Degree, Home Invasion and Theft by Taking. Through a diligent investigation, John Luke determined that his client was not the “master mind” behind the incident, and through negotiations, was able to get the charges reduced to Robbery by Intimidation and Burglary.
Case Dismissed

Pickens

After a traffic stop the client was arrested for possession of methamphetamine and speeding. Through motions Michael was able to show from the police dash camera that the law enforcement officer was tail gating the client in the middle of the night forcing the client to exceed the speed limit. Case dismissed.
Case Dismissed

Pickens

Client was charged with Trafficking methamphetamine along with a co-defendant. The client was merely a passenger in the vehicle. Through John Luke’s negotiations the case was dismissed.

Case Dismissed

Pickens County Prescription Fraud

Client accused of doctor shopping for pain medication. Investigation revealed legitimate medical needs and proper prescriptions. Prosecutor dismissed all charges.

Theft and Property Crime Results

Cherokee

Client was charged with five counts of entering automobiles. Client was arrested when he walked up to two other juveniles who were in possession of property stolen from the cars. During the jury trial Michael asked each owner if they had seen the client, no one had. Michael cross examined the two juveniles who stated that the client was not with them when they broke into the cars. Client was acquitted on all counts.

Cherokee

Client was charged with Burglary along with other co-defendants. Through John Luke’s negotiations and review of the evidence that State agreed there was not sufficient evidence to proceed with trial. Case was dismissed.

Cherokee

Michael’s client was charged with theft and exploitation of the elderly. Law enforcement arrested the client for the charges after reviewing her bank records and seeing a large cash deposit which according to law enforcement was around the time of the theft. Michael was able to work with the client and review the banking records and copies of checks which were cashed at a check cashing location to show where the money came from. Case was dismissed.

Cherokee

Client was charged with five counts of entering automobiles. Client was arrested when he walked up to two other juveniles who were in possession of property stolen from the cars. During the jury trial Michael asked each owner if they had seen the client, no one had. Michael cross examined the two juveniles who stated that the client was not with them when they broke into the cars. Client was acquitted on all counts.

Cherokee

Client was charged with Burglary along with other co-defendants. Through John Luke’s negotiations and review of the evidence that State agreed there was not sufficient evidence to proceed with trial. Case was dismissed.

Cherokee

Michael’s client was charged with theft and exploitation of the elderly. Law enforcement arrested the client for the charges after reviewing her bank records and seeing a large cash deposit which according to law enforcement was around the time of the theft. Michael was able to work with the client and review the banking records and copies of checks which were cashed at a check cashing location to show where the money came from. Case was dismissed.

Sex Crime Defense Results

Cherokee Sex Crime

Client charged with child molestation along side another family member. Through our independent investigation, interviewing family members including the named child victim, Michael was able to show the State that the allegations were a hoax perpetrated by the victim’s step-grandmother against his client and the co-defendant. The victim corroborated this, and the case was dismissed.

Charges Dismissed

Cherokee

John Luke’s client was charged with one count of Rape which was disclosed to law enforcement several days after the alleged incident. During the jury trial John Luke brought out the facts that the victim and the client’s former spouse had been in talks after the alleged rape and the ex-spouses dislike of the client. Through review of cellphone data John Luke showed that the victim had been researching facts about rape. The client was acquitted.

Cherokee

Client was charged with aggravated sexual battery, cruelty to children, and various charges of battery. From speaking with the client John Luke learned of potential false allegations the victim made accusing other persons of similar conduct. John Luke was able to verify this information after subpoenaing DFCS records from various counties in north Georgia. All sexual crimes against the client were dismissed.

Gilmer

Client was charged with Aggravated Sexual Battery and Sexual Battery. Charges stemmed from an alleged incident in the movie theatre, but were ultimately dismissed entirely.

Cherokee Sex Crime

Client charged with child molestation along side another family member. Through our independent investigation, interviewing family members including the named child victim, Michael was able to show the State that the allegations were a hoax perpetrated by the victim’s step-grandmother against his client and the co-defendant. The victim corroborated this, and the case was dismissed.

Charges Dismissed

Cherokee

John Luke’s client was charged with one count of Rape which was disclosed to law enforcement several days after the alleged incident. During the jury trial John Luke brought out the facts that the victim and the client’s former spouse had been in talks after the alleged rape and the ex-spouses dislike of the client. Through review of cellphone data John Luke showed that the victim had been researching facts about rape. The client was acquitted.

Cherokee

Client was charged with aggravated sexual battery, cruelty to children, and various charges of battery. From speaking with the client John Luke learned of potential false allegations the victim made accusing other persons of similar conduct. John Luke was able to verify this information after subpoenaing DFCS records from various counties in north Georgia. All sexual crimes against the client were dismissed.

Gilmer

Client was charged with Aggravated Sexual Battery and Sexual Battery. Charges stemmed from an alleged incident in the movie theatre, but were ultimately dismissed entirely.

How Our Victories Protect Your Future

What These Results Mean for You

These outcomes represent real people who trusted us with their futures—and walked away with their lives intact.
Here’s what made the difference:

Thorough Investigation

We don't take the state's word for it. Every case gets a complete investigation, from witness interviews to expert analysis of physical evidence.

Constitutional Knowledge

Many of our victories come from identifying violations of our clients' constitutional rights during arrests, searches, or interrogations.

Trial Experience

Prosecutors respect attorneys who actually try cases. Our trial reputation gives us leverage in negotiations that leads to better plea offers.

Local Court Familiarity

We know the judges, prosecutors, and court staff in Cherokee, Pickens, Gilmer, Fannin, and Dawson Counties. That familiarity helps us navigate each case strategically.

Protect Your Rights Before It’s Too Late
Because Proof Matters

Why We Share These Results

Every client deserves to know their attorney has actually won cases like theirs. These results show our commitment to fighting for the best possible outcome, whether that’s a dismissal, acquittal, or favorable plea agreement. More importantly, they represent real people who can now move forward with their lives because they chose to fight back instead of giving up.
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Counties We Serve

  • Cherokee County
  • Pickens County
  • Gilmer County
  • Fannin County
  • Dawson County

From Canton to Blue Ridge, from Jasper to Ellijay—we defend clients across North Georgia’s criminal courts with the same dedication and strategic approach that delivered these results.

Criminal Defense Services by County
The results shown on this page represent past case outcomes and should not be taken as a guarantee of future results. Every case is unique and must be evaluated on its own facts and circumstances. No attorney-client relationship is formed by viewing this page.

Your Case Could Be Our Next Victory

These results didn't happen by accident. They happened because we prepared every case like it was going to trial, investigated every detail, and never stopped fighting for our clients.

If you're facing criminal charges in North Georgia, your case deserves the same level of dedication and strategic defense.

Don't let your future become someone else's case study. Let us write your success story.

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