In the past week or so, the story of the woman who was held in jail for three months after Monroe County deputies mistook cotton candy in her vehicle for methamphetamines has been all over the news. This story provides valuable insight into the Georgia criminal justice system and the importance of retaining counsel in […]
Guilty Until Proven Innocent? Continue Reading »
This week I had the great pleasure of speaking to a group of Grady High School parents and teachers about Georgia Juvenile Court procedures, traffic cases, DUI, and some of the other most common legal issues facing teenagers today. We discussed the procedural differences between Georgia Juvenile Courts and Georgia adult courts — this is
Youth Justice at Grady High School Continue Reading »
The law can be confusing, especially since there are so many overlapping laws. This is especially true when these overlapping laws conflict with each other. For example, when you are located in, for example, the City of Newnan, you are subject to the laws of Newnan, the laws of the State of Georgia, and the laws
Georgia’s Marijuana Laws: “Decriminalization” and what it means Continue Reading »
On July 1, 2018, a new Georgia law goes into effect that may require some changes to your commute. The “Hands-Free Law,” signed by Governor Deal earlier this year, essentially states that a driver operating a motor vehicle may not hold a phone in his or her hand or allow the phone to rest on
Georgia’s New Hands-Free Driving Law: What You Need to Know Continue Reading »
Ransomware Attack Cripples Atlanta Municipal Court and Causes Confusion, Missed Court Dates You may have heard of the ransomware attack that struck the City of Atlanta in March of this year. This attack, in which hackers demanded that the City pay $51,000 in bitcoin, crippled many of the city’s government offices, and it continues to affect
FTAs and Atlanta Municipal Court Continue Reading »
10 Things To Know During Memorial Day Traffic Crackdowns All attorneys who practice DUI law in Georgia know that holiday weekends mean traffic enforcement crackdowns, and Memorial Day weekend is no exception. On Monday, law enforcement officials in Georgia and its neighboring states began what they call the “Hands Across the Border” traffic enforcement campaign.
Things To Know During Memorial Day Traffic Crackdowns Continue Reading »
Last week, Governor Deal signed into law a new bill that expands the number of Georgians who are able to legally use cannabis oil to treat certain medical conditions. Click here to read to full text of the bill as it was signed into law. Cannabis oil has been legal for a very small number
Medical Marijuana: What It Means for Georgia Drivers Continue Reading »
My take on accountability courts In 2012, Governor Deal appointed a former drug court judge to the Criminal Justice Reform Council, and charged him with finding ways to improve Georgia’s criminal justice system. The Council ultimately recommended increased funding for various accountability court programs throughout the state. Recently, I came across an article about accountability
Accountability Courts Continue Reading »
In Georgia, approximately 3.8 million people (or a third of Georgia’s population) have a criminal record. This includes not just convictions, but charges and arrests (both felony and misdemeanor) and may include arrests for cases that have been dismissed. These criminal records, which appear when a potential employer runs a background check, can stand in
Restorative Justice Freedom Summit Continue Reading »
Stress can cause people to act in unusual ways, and for many people, the holidays can be a stressful and difficult time. This may be one of the reasons that arrest rates tend to spike over the holidays. Family violence is one criminal offense that spikes notably around the holidays, as reported by The Atlantic.[1]
FAMILY VIOLENCE AND THE HOLIDAYS Continue Reading »