Georgia Man Arrested for 70th Time in Midtown Atlanta

Atlanta Police have been using a recent crime occurring in Midtown as a reminder for residents to remove keys from their vehicles and to lock car doors when leaving their car unattended.

The most recent Atlanta car crime occurred last night in Midtown when a resident left his vehicle running on West Peachtree as he ran inside to a dry cleaners to pick up some clothes. According to reports, Eddie Brantley, a 45 year old man from Stone Mountain, jumped into the vehicle and took off.

Atlanta Police have released information regarding Brantley's record - this is the 70th time that Brantley has been arrested. His arrests include - armed robbery, burglary, and aggravated assault.

In today's post, as a Georgia Criminal Defense Lawyer, I will focus on the latest of Brantley's alleged crimes.

Entering Auto in Georgia

The criminal offense of entering auto in Georgia is defined by Georgia Law in O.C.G.A. §16-8-18 as:

If any person shall enter any automobile or other motor vehicle with the intent to commit a theft or a felony, he shall be guilty of a felony and, upon conviction thereof, shall be punished by imprisonment no less than one nor more than five years, or in the discretion of the trial judge, as for a misdemeanor.

Entering auto is classified as a felony offense in Georgia. The penalty for entering auto is a prison sentence for no less than one year and no more than five years.

However, it is within the judge's discretion to treat the crime as a misdemeanor instead. If found guilty of a misdemeanor, the penalty can include up to 12 months in jail and a fine up to $1,000.

Moreover, someone who is convicted of entering also may be ordered by the court to pay restitution. Restitution is when someone convicted of a crime must financially compensate a victim or the victim's family. The amount of financial compensation varies with each case and will be set by the court.

Practice Note

It is very important that you contact us if you or a loved one has been arrested for committing a crime in Georgia.

No one should attempt to craft a defense on their own. Being arrested and facing charges is an extremely overwhelming process. However, you do not have to face any of it alone. A Georgia Criminal Defense Attorney will make sure you understand all of your options and advise you on the best approach to take for your case based on their many years of experience.