Shoplifting Charges in Clayton County

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 […]

Prior Difficulties under 404(b)

Rule 24-4-404 generally prohibits the admission of evidence of a person’s character or character traits to prove that they acted in conformity with that character on a particular occasion. In simple terms, the State cannot argue: “he did it before, so he must have done it again.” This is the fundamental bar against propensity evidence. […]

Search Incident to Arrest

Under existing federal and state law, police can conduct a warrantless search of a vehicle under specific circumstances and still comply with the provisions of the 4th amendment against unreasonable searches and seizures. This exception is known as a search incident to arrest established in Arizona v. Gant, 556. U.S. 332 (2009). Gant outlines two […]

I Was Arrested and the Police Took My Car. What Now?

In Georgia, asset forfeiture is the government’s way of taking property it claims is connected to a crime. Most often, you see it in drug cases. The State isn’t just prosecuting the person, it’s going after the property itself like cash, cars, or even a house. Under Georgia Controlled Substances Act, law enforcement can seize […]

Disorderly Conduct in Forest Park Municipal

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 […]