Criminal Defense
At McIlvaine Law Group, criminal defense is intentionally exclusive and highly focused.
Wrix McIlvaine accepts a limited number of serious state and federal felony cases so that each client receives the time, attention, and preparation their situation demands.
Every case is treated as unique, with a defense strategy built around the client’s life, circumstances, and goals—whether the path leads to trial or a negotiated resolution.
State Felony Defense
Wrix defends clients charged with serious felonies in the Superior Courts of Appling, Brantley, Camden, Chatham, Jeff Davis, Liberty, Long, McIntosh, Ware, and Wayne Counties, including murder and other violent felonies, drug trafficking, RICO and conspiracy charges, and complex white collar cases.
Representation covers every stage of the case: bond and preliminary hearings, investigation and discovery, motions to suppress and other pretrial litigation, plea negotiations, jury trial, and sentencing.
Motions for New Trial and Appeals
When a case has already gone to verdict, Wrix handles motions for new trial and appeals to the Court of Appeals of Georgia and the Supreme Court of Georgia, including appeals from the Superior and State Courts of Glynn County.
Federal Charges
If you are under federal investigation or facing federal charges, see Federal Criminal Defense.
With more than two decades of trial experience, Wrix has defended complex white collar matters involving parallel criminal and civil DOJ actions, multi-defendant and multi-jurisdictional drug conspiracies, extradited foreign nationals, RICO and other conspiracy cases, as well as serious violent felony charges.
Wrix’s reputation as a formidable trial lawyer is a critical asset in both the courtroom and the negotiation room. Prosecutors know he is fully prepared to try a case to verdict, and cases he has tried have been covered by the Daily Report, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Fox News, CNN, Court TV, and multiple legal publications. That readiness often becomes a client’s most powerful leverage when the risk of trial is life-changing.
His practice rests on exhaustive case preparation, rigorous analysis of the government’s evidence, and unwavering protection of his clients’ constitutional rights.
If you are looking for a high-volume lawyer who manages hundreds of files at once, there are many other attorneys who will meet that need. Wrix instead offers select, intensive representation and is frequently retained by other defense lawyers for jury consulting, strategic case planning, co-counsel roles, and independent second opinions in serious criminal matters across Georgia.
Wrix McIlvaine defends clients in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Georgia and in state courts across Georgia. See where we practice.
Please note: McIlvaine Law Group does not accept criminal cases in the Superior Court of Glynn County, the State Court of Glynn County, or the Brunswick Municipal Court, and does not accept any case, civil or criminal, in the Magistrate Court of Glynn County or the Juvenile Court of Glynn County. The firm does handle post-conviction work in criminal cases from the Superior Court and State Court of Glynn County, including motions for new trial and appeals. If your case is pending in one of those courts, the firm can refer you to other experienced defense counsel.
