Clayton County Cases and How to Fight for No Jail Time Getting caught with marijuana at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) is a fast track to serious trouble. Airport security, TSA, DEA, and local officers, usually Atlanta Police Department, are aggressive, and most of these cases land in Clayton County Courthouse. The goal for many […]
Family Violence Battery is defined in O.C.G.A. 16-5-23.1 as intentionally causing substantial physical harm or visible bodily harm to another person who are: Spouses or former spouses; Individuals who have a child together; Parents and children; Step-parents and step-children; Foster-parents and foster-children; and Individuals living or formerly living in the same household. The State of […]
In Georgia, the offense of forgery is broken down into four different degrees, depending on the type of document forged and whether that document was delivered, presented, or used. Third and fourth degree forgery deal solely with checks, while first and second degree forgery are associated with all other documents. According to O.C.G.A. § 16-9-1, […]
O.C.G.A. § 16-11-39 classifies disorderly conduct as a misdemeanor offense. The law prohibits various behaviors that disturb the peace or endanger others’ safety. What Counts as Disorderly Conduct? A person commits disorderly conduct when they: Act violently or loudly in a way that makes someone fear for their safety. Behave violently in a manner that […]
If you’re staring at a drug possession charge in Atlanta, Fulton County, or anywhere in Georgia, you’re probably thinking one thing: “How screwed am I?” The short answer: It depends. But the system is harsher than most people realize — and the DA isn’t volunteering the escape hatches. I’m Scott Smith, a criminal defense lawyer […]
Under Official Code of Georgia Annotated § 16-8-14, theft by shoplifting occurs when someone takes merchandise without paying. The person must intend to keep it or deprive the owner of its value. This includes actions like: Concealing or taking items Switching price tags or labels Putting items in different packaging Paying […]
If you drive 85 mph or faster on any road or 75 mph or faster on a two-lane highway in Marietta, Georgia, you become a super speeder. In addition to the local fines, you must also pay a $200 super speeder fee to the Georgia Department of Driver Services (DDS). You have 90 days from […]
In Georgia, the law on turn signals during a lane change is more nuanced than many drivers know. Under O.C.G.A. § 40-6-123, signaling is not automatically required every time a driver changes lane. Instead, the duty to signal arises only when another vehicle “may be affected by such movement.” The statute itself reflects a practical, […]
In Georgia, if a person is driving on a suspended license, he/she may face jail time, probation, as well as monetary fines. If the accused is found guilty of driving while his/her license is suspended, the accused will be charged with a misdemeanor, as long as it is his/her first offense within the last 5 […]
Under Official Code of Georgia Annotated § 16-8-14, theft by shoplifting occurs when someone takes merchandise without paying. The person must intend to keep it or deprive the owner of its value. This includes actions like: Concealing or taking items Switching price tags or labels Putting items in different packaging Paying […]
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