Every year, we receive hundreds of requests for assistance from people who have no money to hire an attorney. We have to turn away the vast majority (over 90%) of the people who ask for assistance because of our limited resources.

The individuals who become our clients have a criminal case in its beginning stages; however, they are selected as a client because they want to make life changes. Many clients are referred from other social service agencies such as long-term drug treatment programs or teen outreach groups.

Our Clients

Our clients come to us from Fulton and Dekalb counties. They have been arrested. They cannot afford an attorney. Before we accept a client, we conduct extensive interviews.

We want information not only on the individual's legal case but also about their life history and current goals. Unlike the Public Defender, we provide a network of social services that address the individual's specific needs.

When evaluating a potential client, we examine their commitment to changing their lives; we find individuals who will take maximum advantage of the opportunities available to them.

Ultimately, our clients are as committed to change as we are to providing the chance.

We do not take the following cases except under exceptional circumstances:

• Drug Trafficking
• Domestic Violence
• Sex Crimes
• Federal Cases
• Child Abuse
• Cases Outside Fulton or Dekalb Counties
• Vehicle Violations
• Civil Cases

Once a client is accepted, we ask her or him to sign a contract with us. This contract outlines the commitments the client makes in exchange for our legal representation. We do not have a set program for all clients or certain requirements that are applicable to everyone involved with GJP.

Rather, we let the research that we have conducted dictate the services available to the client. If he or she hasn't graduated from high school, we provide GED classes.

If a client is unemployed, we provide job skills and even employment with our landscaping company. Since our clients do not have to pay a monetary fee, these commitments provide the client the opportunity for involvement and ownership in their representation, cases, and changing their lives.

While they participate in these programs, we provide aggressive legal advocacy. The end result is a long-lasting trust that will grow throughout a client's relationship with GJP.

Our Legal Staff Members

• Doug Ammar - Executive Director and Project Attorney
• Ron Boyter - Director of Legal Services
• Deborah J. Poole - Senior Attorney
• Mazie Lynn Causey - Staff Attorney
• Marissa McCall Dodson - Equal Justice Works Fellow; Staff Attorney