Buttigieg & Associates, P.C.

When you or a loved one has been arrested or charged with a crime, you must act quickly to preserve your legal rights.  Our firm can assist you with an effective defense of all serious crimes, including:

• DUI/DWI (alcohol or drugs)
• Drug Possession, Intent, Trafficking
• Theft, Armed Robbery, Shoplifting
• Aggravated Assault/Assault/Battery
• Sex Crimes
• Possession of a Firearm by a Felon
• Bad Checks/Financial Account Fraud
• Homicide Crimes

The cases listed below are examples of some of our firm's recent Criminal Defense "successes" handled by Dustin M. Buttigieg, Esq.  No two cases are the same and no attorney can guarantee any particular outcome of any criminal case. Contact us today to see how we can help you.

State v. J.J., Washington County Superior Court, 2012

A pre-warrant hearing was held in 2009 and J.J. was falsely arrested for Failing to Pay for Natural or Agricultural Products, a felony punishable by up to five years in prison. This case was instigated by an irrate businessman with  a vendetta against J.J.'s prior business. J.J. retained attorney Dustin M. Buttigieg shortly thereafter. After extensive pre-trial motions, a hearing was conducted and the case was dismissed due to a technicality in the wording of the indictment. The vindictive businessman had J.J. prosecuted a second time, which is allowed. After extensive pre-trial motions and a hearing, the case was once again dismissed due to a technicality in the indictment. Having sucessfully quashed J.J.'s indictment twice, the DA's office is now barred from prosecuting J.J. again, and J.J. is planning to sue the vindictive businessman for malicious prosecution and seeking $35,000.00 in damages.

State v. C.S., Houston County State Court, 2011

C.S. was arrested for DUI after he swerved into the lane of an on-coming law enforcement officer on H.W. 96 in Houston County, GA while allegedly under the influence of alcohol. After avoiding being struck by C.S.'s vehicle, the arresting officer turned around to pursue C.S. Then, C.S. attempted to allude the officer by failing to stop and by driving out into a field and running away on foot. C.S. was arrested after his wife was observed picking him up near the scene of the crime later in the night. 

C.S. retained our firm in 2009 to represent him and C.S. was able to retain his full driving privileges at all times.  On June 30, 2011, the State DISMISSED this case and terminated the prosecution.  Although the Nolle Prosequi order was silent as to the reason for the dismissal, our office believes it was dismissed in large part due to evidence that could not be located.

State v. C.C., Monroe County Superior Court, 2011

C.C. was arrested for Battery for allegedly beating a neighbor who was making moves on C.C.'s girlfriend. C.C. argued that the alleged victim had started the altercation when he shot at C.C. with a handgun. After a one-day trial, wherein the alleged victim produced photos showing the extent of the beating, C.C. was acquitted of all charges and the case was closed. 

State v. B.S., Monroe County Superior Court, 2011

B.S. was arrested for Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon after law enforcement, pursuant to a search warrant, found a rifle in her closet. B.S., being a felon and risking losing her job if convicted, hired attorney Dustin M. Buttigieg. After several months of negotiations, the District Attorney's Office eventually agreed to DISMISS all charges.

State v. J.T., Monroe County Superior Court, 2011

J.T. was arrested for Manufacturing Marijuana and Posession of Marijuana after law enforcement found approximately 15 marijuana plants growing behind his residence as well as a personal-use amount of marijuana in his residence. J.T. hired attorney Dustin M. Buttigieg. After extensive discovery motions and negotiations, J.T. accepted a negotiated plea to misdemeanor posession of marijuana (less than 1 oz.) and all other charges were DISMISSED. J.T. received 12 months probation, which automatically ended upon payment of a $250 fine.

State v. P.C., Lamar County Superior Court, 2010

P.C. was originally stopped for speeding in Lamar County, Georgia, but marijuana was eventuallt discovered. P.C. was charged with Possession of Marijuana with Intent to Distribute.  P.C. hired attorney Dustin M. Buttigieg. After several months of attempting to obtain the video of P.C.'s stop and arrest, the District Attorney's Office eventually agreed to DISMISS all charges based upon the arresting officer's lack of cooperation with the prosecution. 

State v. C.L., Monroe County Superior Court, 2010

C.L. was charged for the second time with Possession of Marijuana with Intent to Distribute at a high school. C.L.'s grandmother hired attorney Dustin M. Buttigieg to represent C.L. with this charge. Through negotiations with the District Attorney's Office, Dustin M. Buttigieg sucessfully negotiated a pre-indictment dismissal for C.L. in exchange for C.L. completing ten (10) hours of community service at the courthouse. C.L. performed his 10 hours and all charges were DISMISSED.

State v. A.R., Monroe County Superior Court, 2010

A.R. , a convicted felon, was stopped by Forsyth Police for speeding on I-75 Northbound.  As part of the officer's investigatory stop, he learned that A.R.'s driver's license was fictitious and a .44 Magnum pistol was located under A.R.'s seat.  A.R. was arrested and charged with Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon, Possession of an Altered Driver's License and Speeding. In September of 2010, Mr. Buttigieg was able to work out a negotiated plea with the District Attorney's Office based upon several legal issues and, ultimately, A.R. plead guilty to speeding (78 in a 65 m.p.h. zone)  and all other charges were DISMISSED.

State v. C.L., Municipal Court of Perry, 2010

C.L. was stopped for a defective brakelight in Perry, Georgia. Ultimately, marijuana was recovered from the vehicle and C.L. and his passenger were both arrested for Possession of Marijuana and Defective Brake Lights. Thanks to negotiations by attorney Dustin M. Buttigieg and an understanding prosecutor, C.L. was able to plead guilty to Defective Brake Lights and pay a $90.00 fine to conclude his criminal case.  The Possession charge was DISMISSED.

State v. J.M., Jasper County Superior Court, 2010

J.M. was on felony probation when a loaded 9mm handgun was located under his mattress by law enforcement. He was charged with Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon. The arresting officer appeared to have a grudge against J.M. and stated to the prosecutor that he wanted prison time.  The District Attorney initially offered 5 years probation in exchange for J.M.'s guilty plea, however J.M. maintained he would rather take his chances at trial. On the eve of trial, J.M. accepted a plea negotiated by attorney Dustin M. Buttigieg which resulted in a "nolo contendere" plea to the charge in exchange for 2 years probation which would terminate immediately upon payment of a $1,000.00 fine.  Within a few days time, J.M. paid his $1,000.00 and was released from all probation. J.M. was allowed to maintain his innocence, but still take advantage of a generous plea which would eliminate the possibility of any jail time or probation.

State v. C.F., Monroe County Superior Court, 2010

C.F. was charged with Aggravated Assault for stabbing a young woman in the neck, back and arms in Forsyth, Georgia.  The victim was hospitalized and had substantial medical bills from the knife wounds.  C.F. requested a jury trial. Minutes before the jury was selected, C.F. accepted a plea negotiated by attorney Dustin M. Buttigieg where C.F. plead guilty to the offense of "affray" (fighting), a misdemeanor, and was given 12 months probation. (A conviction for Aggravated Assault could have resulted in 20 years imprisonment)

State v. A.B., Monroe County Superior Court, 2010

A.B. was arrested for Manufacturing Methamphetamine when a "meth lab" was discovered on her property in Monroe County, Georgia. Several other people were arrested along with A.B. A.B.'s goal was to avoid any risk of prison time.  Attorney Dustin M. Buttigieg was able to sucessfully negotiate a plea agreement whereby A.B. plead guilty to the lesser-included offense of Possession of Methamphetamine under the First Offender Act, and was given 5 years probation and no jail time. Under the First Offender Act, A.B. will be eligible for a discharge after completion of her sentence and will not have a felony record.

State v. J.M., Monroe/Bibb Superior Courts, 2010

J.M. was arrested in Monroe County for felony Theft by Taking and weeks later was arrested in Bibb County for residential Burglary.  J.M. retained attorney Dustin M. Buttigieg to attempt to structure a negotiated plea to all charges.  Through extensive negotiations with understanding prosecutors from both Bobb and Monroe Counties, Mr. Buttigieg was able to arrange a plea wherein J.M. agreed to plead guilty under the First Offender Act to the Burglary charge, attend drug rehabilitation for 6 months and be placed on probation for five years. Based upon this arrangement, Monroe County DISMISSED the Theft by Taking charge and once J.M. has completed all probation, the Burglary charge will be DISCHARGED and J.M. will not have any criminal record whatsoever for these crimes.