VIDEO – Atlanta, Georgia Theft by Shoplifting Charges – Dunwoody, Alpharetta, Kennesaw

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I’ve received theft by shoplifting charges in Georgia, but my court notice says Dunwoody Municipal Court, what’s happening here?

Hello, I’m attorney Scott Smith and I’m here today to talk with you about shoplifting charges. We see a lot of theft by shoplifting arrests in metro Atlanta due to the number of shopping malls in the area. Lenox Mall, Phipps, Atlantic Station, Perimeter Mall, North Point Mall, Town Center, and all the other malls in the Atlanta area.

We also see a lot of shoplifting charges coming from stores like Walmart, Marshall’s, and TJ Maxx.

Many of these cases will originate in municipal courts like Atlanta, Dunwoody, Alpharetta, and Kennesaw.

A theft by shoplifting charge in Georgia can be accused as a misdemeanor or a felony depending on: the amount alleged to have been taken, the number of shoplifting convictions showing on your criminal history, and whether there was a pattern of recent shoplifting activity.

Shoplifting cases generally have two components. The first part is the criminal case. But often folks arrested for theft by shoplifting will receive a letter in the mail from law firms or collection agencies on behalf of the store asking for a payment for a civil penalty. We urge anyone watching this to consult with a Georgia attorney before making any payment to a law firm or collection agency due to this shoplifting charge. It could have an impact on your case.

It is important to state people who shoplift are not bad people. Generally the case comes down to one of three things. The person charged is sometimes depressed. It was an honest mistake such as an accidental concealment or not actually taking the item. Or finally the person thought they needed the item to survive or they were taking it for thrills. Ninety percent of the people we represent fall within the first two categories, depression or an honest mistake.

There are many was to resolve your theft by shoplifting charges in Georgia. Our office of experienced Georgia shoplifting attorneys can evaluate your case and tell you about potential defenses and outcomes. Let us help you today. Call our office at 404-581-0999. Thank you.

Georgia Analysis of Utah vs. Strieff Decision

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by Ryan Walsh

The Fourth amendment of the United States Constitution protects citizens from unreasonable searches and seizures. Traditionally, evidence found after a 4th amendment violation is excluded under what is known as the “fruit of the poisonous tree” doctrine. That is, any evidence recovered after a fourth amendment violation occurs is suppressed by the court and cannot be used against the defendant in his case. However, in the last ten years the United States Supreme Court has limited this exclusionary “fruit of the poisonous tree” doctrine to situations where exclusion is the last resort by highlighting a number of exceptions. ryan-walsh

Exceptions to the exclusionary rule under federal law include when an officer acts in good faith in what he believes is a legal search, when evidence is acquired through an independent source, when evidence would inevitably been discovered without the unconstitutional source, and the attenuation doctrine. The attenuation doctrine states that evidence is admissible when the connection between the 4th amendment violation and the evidence found is distant or the connection between the 4th amendment violation has been interrupted by a change in circumstances. The recent United States Supreme Court opinion, Utah vs. Strieff directly addresses the attenuation doctrine, creating situations where intervening circumstances cause Georgia citizens to be subject to searches and seizures that would otherwise be unreasonable under the Fourth amendment of the United States Constitution. Utah vs. Strieff, 579 U.S. ___ (2016).

In Utah, Edward Strieff left a home on foot that had been tied to drug activity and walked to a gas station. Officer Fackrell, who had been surveilling the home, approached Strieff, identified himself, asked Strieff for identification, detained him, and then questioned him regarding what he was doing at the residence. Officer Fackrell gave Strieff’s information to a police dispatcher, who told Fackrell that Strieff had an outstanding arrest warrant for a traffic violation. Strieff was arrested and a search of his person was performed incident to the arrest, where Officer Fackrell found methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia on Strieff. Strieff then moved to suppress the evidence of methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia. The State of Utah conceded that Officer Fackrell did not have reasonable suspicion for the stop, but argued that because of the arrest warrant, the connection between the unlawful stop and the search had been attenuated and the search incident to arrest and seizure were valid under the Fourth Amendment.

The United States Supreme Court agreed with the State of Utah. Despite the fact that the stop of Strieff was unlawful, the Court held that the valid arrest warrant created a change in circumstances that “attenuated” the illegal stop from the valid search and seizure. In looking towards whether there was a sufficient change in circumstances between the conduct that violated the fourth amendment and the discovery of methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia on Strieff, the Court looked to three factors. The three factors are (1) “the temporal proximity between the unconstitutional conduct and the discovery of the evidence, (2) the presence of intervening circumstances, and (3) the purpose and flagrancy of the official misconduct.” Brown v. Illinois, 422 U.S. 590, 603-604 (1975). The Court found that factor one favored Strieff in that the time between the unconstitutional conduct and the discovery of evidence was very brief. But the Court found that factors two and three favored the State. The existence of a valid arrest warrant was a significant intervening circumstance, and that Officer Fackrell was at most negligent in his stopping of Strieff outside the gas station. In discussing Officer Fackrell’s negligence, the Court addresses what they call his “good-faith mistakes.” Therefore, the evidence seized by Officer Fackrell was admissible at trial against Strieff. Now that we’ve analyzed the law applied by the United States Supreme Court, is the holding in Utah v. Strieff applicable to Georgia citizens?

Georgia’s restrictions on searches and seizures are greater than the protections provided by the United States Government. Georgia codified their exclusionary rule in O.C.G.A. §17-5-30. The language in that statute provides no good-faith exception to the exclusionary rule. Further, Georgia courts don’t officially recognize any specific exceptions to the exclusionary rule, but they do offer their rationale in determining whether evidence that could be excluded as “fruit of the poisonous tree” will be excluded. That rationale is most clearly articulated in Vergara v. State. Vergara v. State, 283 Ga 175 (2008). In Vergara, the Supreme Court of Georgia says, “Under the fruits doctrine as

explicated by the (United States) Supreme Court and adopted by this Court, we need not hold that all evidence is ‘fruit of the poisonous tree’ simply because it would not have come to light but for the illegal actions of the police. … The more apt question … is ‘whether… the evidence … has been come at by exploitation of that illegality or instead by means sufficiently distinguishable to be purged by the primary taint.’” Vergara, at 182-183.

Applying the absence of a good-faith exception along with the guidance provided in Vergara, it’s unclear what Georgia courts would do if presented with the facts of Strieff. Edward Strieff was approached by Officer Fackrell and asked for his identification, which he provided. Fackrell ran his identification and saw the outstanding warrant, arrested, Strieff, and found the contraband. Because there is no good-faith exception to unreasonable searches and seizures under Georgia law, Officer Fackrell cannot be said to be merely negligent in his stop of Strieff. The evidence was clearly found as a direct result of the bad stop. And the evidence is of the sort that may not have been found independently or inevitably. There are strong arguments that this sort of evidence is still fruit of the poisonous tree under Georgia’s application of the Fourth Amendment.

However, until Georgia addresses this issue, it is unclear whether a valid arrest warrant can trigger a search incident to arrest for an otherwise unlawful stop. If you’ve been arrested and feel your Georgia rights have been violated, call the Peach State Lawyer today for a free consultation at 404-581-0999.

Drug Possession in Georgia

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Drug Possession in Georgia
By: Mary Agramonte
Read more about the attorney here.

The legal system in Georgia treats drug crimes very seriously. If you have been arrested for the possession of drugs in the State of Georgia, you are likely facing serious prison time. Due to the severity of the charges, you need a lawyer who is skilled in the state’s drug laws and any possible defenses.

Mary Agramonte is an attorney with W. Scott Smith P.C. and represents those charged with drug possession in Georgia.

Mary Agramonte is an attorney with W. Scott Smith P.C.

Under the Georgia Controlled Substance Act, drugs are classified into 5 Schedules based on their potential for abuse, tendency for addiction, and their recognized medical uses. Schedule I is considered to have the highest risk of physical and psychological dependency and are considered to have no medical use, while Schedule V is recognized to have lower risk of dependency and legitimate medical use. The following are examples of common drugs in each schedule.

Schedule I

Heroin, THC, LSD, and MDMA (ecstasy).

Schedule II

Cocaine, Codein, Hydrocodone, Morphine, Methadone, Amphetamine, Methamphetamine, Oxycontin, Percocet

Schedule III

Suboxone, Ketamine, Anabolic steroids

Schedule IV

Xanax, Ambien, Valium

Drug Possession Penalties in Georgia

The penalties for drug possession in Georgia are harsh. It is a felony if you are arrested for drug possession in Georgia, except for marijuana if it less than an ounce. If it is your first offense and you are found guilty of a Schedule I or II drug, you are looking at 2-15 years in prison, intense probation, and high fines.

On second or subsequent offenses of Schedule I or II drugs, you are looking at at least 5 years in prison, and up to 30, with the possibility of similar probation and high fines as the first.

If you are found with Schedule III, IV, or V drugs, the penalty will be 1 to 5 years in prison. If it is your second or subsequent offense, you are facing 1 to 10 years prison time.

Additionally, if the offense date was prior to July 1, 2015 and a car was used during the felony, your driver’s license will be suspended if you are found guilty of drug possession.

How the State Proves Possession

The drugs do not have to be found on your person for you to be guilty of drug possession. Driving a car in which drugs are found is enough for the law to determine that you are in violation of the Controlled Substance Act. Even if the drugs are found thrown out or hidden, the State will still try to prove you were in possession. Depending on where the drugs were found, two people or more can be considered to have possession of the same drugs. Important facts for for your case will be whether paraphernalia or residue was found, and also whether you attempted to flee.

Talk to an Attorney

Because a conviction of drug possession carries serious prison time, it is important you speak with an attorney who is knowledgeable about drug possession laws in Georgia. Pleading guilty to any drug possession offense will have lifelong consequences that we want you to avoid. We would like for you to understand what you are facing and all of your legal options so that you can move on from this arrest in the best way possible. Call us for a FREE CONSULTATION today at 404-581-0999 and mention this blog.

 

 

Georgia Super Speeder Law

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Mary pic

Mary Agramonte, Attorney at Law, handles criminal cases, including traffic tickets, all over Georgia.

What is the Super Speeder Law?
By: Mary Agramonte, Esq.

In 2010, Georgia enacted a law which imposes greater penalties on drivers convicted as “super speeders.” If you have been pulled over driving 85 miles per hour or more on any road, or 75 miles per hour or more on a two-lane road, then Georgia law at O.C.G.A. § 40-6-189 requires a separate $200 Super Speeder fine to be added onto your speeding ticket. The $200 fine is in addition to all fines you will owe to the local city or county for the same ticket. While the underlying fine varies across the state depending on the city or county you were ticketed, the initial total fine can be as high as $1,000. If you are pulled over and are considered a super speeder and choose to pay the fine for the citation, thereby accepting guilt, you will receive another fine within 30 days, this time in a letter from the Department of Driver Services.

Upon receipt of the super speeder letter from DDS, you only have 90 days to pay the new fine. Ignoring this letter will suspend your license, and you will incur another $50.00 when you attempt to reinstate your license.

There are several consequences of paying the fine on your speeding ticket if the actual speed puts you within the parameters of the super speeder law. First, the underlying speeding offense is considered a criminal misdemeanor. Furthermore, the speeding ticket itself will carry points that are reported on your driving history report. Paying the fine on your ticket is the equivalent of pleading guilty. If you choose to simply pay the initial fine, as opposed to hiring a lawyer to fight the case, 2 to 6 points will be added to your driving record. Points on your record may increase your insurance, and even will suspend your license once you reach a certain amount of points in a two year period. After you pay the fine on your speeding ticket, you will then be wholly responsible to pay the $200 fine that you will receive in the mail from DDS.

Avoid the super speeder fine and the separate fines and points that go along with your speeding ticket. Remember that paying your ticket is an admission of guilt and you will then be responsible for all the speeding ticket fees as well as the extra $200 super speeder fine. Hire a lawyer that is familiar with the courts in Georgia. Avoid the hassle of going to court, and have experienced lawyers fight your case to avoid the harsh consequences of being classified as a Super Speeder. Call us 24/7 at 404-581-0999 for a FREE CONSULTATION.

What to Do at the Jail After a DUI Arrest

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By: W. Scott Smith

The scenario every wife, husband, father, mother or friend fears receiving:  A call from a Georgia jail, and someone has been arrested for DUI:

“Its me.  I need your help.  I got arrested last night.  I am at the Fulton county jail/ Cobb county jail/ DeKalb county jail/ Gwinnett County jail.  I am being charged with DUI.  Can you please come bail me out?”

Scott Smith - Atlanta's Top DUI Attorney

W. Scott Smith is the founding partner of the Law Offices of W. Scott Smith.

This phone call can be one of the most important moments in your loved one’s DUI defense down the road.  Although not a secret, this information may assist your friend or family member in winning their DUI case at trial or negotiating a reduction to Reckless Driving.  If you are on Google and Googling this while you are on the phone with a friend charged with DUI in Georgia, it is extremely important to relay this information to the DUI friend or family member while in jail:

If the person in jail refused to take the DUI breath test at the jail.  Tell them to find the nearest jailer and rescind their refusal.  Meaning tell the jailer nearest them they now have changed their mind and want to take the Georgia breath test: “I am charged tonight with DUI.  The officer asked me to perform the breath test.  I initially declined.  I want to take it now.  Can you please help me in taking it?”  Make sure to remember the name of the person who they ask.

If the person in jail took the DUI breath test at the jail.  Tell them to find the nearest jailer and ask for an independent blood and breath test: “I am charged tonight with DUI.  The officer asked me to perform the breath test on the Intoxilyzer.  I took it.  I now want to take a an independent test of blood at the nearest hospital, a breath on a different machine than the one I breathed into, a urine at a hospital, or another bodily substance test.  Can you please help me in taking it?”  Make sure to remember the name of the person who they ask.

Here is the reason you want to advise your loved one charged with DUI in Fulton, Cobb, DeKalb, Atlanta or Gwinnett to request the test from the jailer.  Georgia courts have repeatedly rejected the argument that once a DUI suspect indicates to an officer that he refuses to submit to a blood-alcohol test, the matter is closed.  Georgia law recognizes the possibility that an individual may rescind his or her refusal to submit to an Intoxilyzer test, the police administered breath test down at the jail or the police department.  The machine is always on and almost always available to use.  Similarly, Georgia law allows a person in Georgia suspected of being DUI to request an independent test of their own choice.

In order for the consent to be proper after first refusing the police administered test, it must be made:

(1) within a very short and reasonable time after the first refusal;

(2) at a time when the test administered would still be accurate;

(3) when testing equipment is still readily available;

(4) when honoring the request would result in no substantial inconvenience or expense to the police; and

(5) when the individual requesting the test has been in the custody of the arresting officer and under observation for the whole time since arrest.

If the jailer does not allow you to take the test, then the initial refusal to take the state DUI breath test OR the results from taking the test will be suppressed as long as you can meet the five requirements outlined above.  This nuance in Georgia DUI law even applies to all Georgia Administrative license suspension hearings where the State attempts to suspend your license after being charged with DUI.

In essence, it comes down to timing and knowing your rights while still in custody.  The fifth factor is so important when you are on the phone with someone in jail or adult detention centers (all county jails in the state of Georgia including Gwinnett, DeKalb, Cobb, Fulton and Atlanta). Remember to tell them to ask a jailer near them to please allow them to take the test; or, if they already took the test, to ask the jailer to supply them with an independent blood test at the nearest hospital.

As we have always stressed to clients, the first thing one should do when booking out of jail after being bonded out for a DUI arrest in Georgia is write everything down. This includes a detailed description of the events leading up to the DUI.  The DUI arrest itself.  And if you followed my suggestion outlined above, the name of the jailer he or she requested to take the test (either initial breath or independent blood test). The name of the jailer is incredibly important because if you selected us as your lawyer we would want to send them a friendly reminder to memorialize the occurrence and we would want to subpoena them to court.

I hope this information is useful if you are now on the phone with someone charged.  Remember, our phone lines are on 24/7 to assist with DUI defense as it is happening.  Please call us at 404-581-0999.

 

Miranda Rights

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MIRANDA RIGHTS

By Andrew Powell Esq.

Almost everyone has seen a crime television show and heard the infamous phrase “you have the right to remain silent, anything you say can and will be used against you in the court of law, you have the right to an attorney, and if you cannot afford one an attorney would be appointed to you.” However, most people do not know when or why this phrase is so commonly used by police. In 1966, the United States Supreme Court decided to require law enforcement officials to read this list of rights to someone who has been taken into custody. These rights are known commonly as your “Miranda Rights.”

Purpose Of Reading The Miranda Rights

The United States Constitution and specifically the Fifth Amendment guarantees anyone who has been arrested the right not to incriminate themselves. Plainly put, an individual does not have to talk to police when they have been arrested. The Constitution and our form of justice requires that the government carry their burden and prove to a judge or jury that someone charged with a crime is guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.georgia-juvenile-defense

Too often law enforcement officials become overzealous with their search for the truth and overstep the Constitutional bounds in their pursuit. It may not surprise you that police use coercive tactics or even lie to someone to get them to confess to a crime. Miranda warnings are a safeguard to protect against those who may cross that Constitutional boundary. The government must show the court that you were read your Miranda rights and that you waived your rights guaranteed by the Constitution.

When Does Miranda Apply To Me?

Confessions are the leading source of Miranda violations. When someone has been accused of a crime, big or small, they are often questioned in connection with that crime. Miranda rights must be read to someone after they are under arrest and before any law enforcement official asks any questions to the suspect.  Law enforcement officials have a tough job and they investigate crimes every day. Many officers are trying to make quick decisions based on little information. However, this does not allow them to just simply force people to talk to them and answer their questions.

Many times law enforcement officials will arrest someone and take them back to the police station for an interview. Generally, they will quickly go over your rights with you and ask you if you want to talk to them. If you have been charged with a crime this is where you want to stop and tell the law enforcement official that you would like to speak to your attorney.

When Does Miranda Not Apply To Me?

People sometimes think that any encounter with law enforcement requires them to read you your Miranda rights. This is untrue. Most encounters between people and law enforcement do not require the reading of your Miranda rights. As discussed above, the Miranda warnings are only required when you have been placed under arrest and the police are asking you questions regarding the crime.

Traffic stops are a common place to have an encounter with law enforcement where Miranda warnings are not required to be read to someone. In this circumstance, generally you are not under arrest and law enforcement is just going to ask you some general questions and write you a ticket.

In terms of a DUI, the police officer is not required to read the Miranda warnings. The officer may ask you to take a series of tests, known as Field Sobriety Tests or request you to blow into a machine that registers your blood alcohol content. Even though the officer does not have to read your Miranda rights to you, you have the ability to refuse these tests and refuse giving a breath sample.

Another common scenario is when law enforcement asks you to come to the station and make a statement. In this circumstance, Miranda warnings are not necessary because you have voluntarily come to the police station and are not under arrest. Remember, law enforcement is only required to give you the Miranda warnings once you have been arrested and before they initiate any questioning of you.

What Does A Miranda Violation Mean For Me?

Confessions or statements made to law enforcement will not be allowed at trial if law enforcement has not, first, read you the warnings required in Miranda. If you were forced into making a statement or the police did not read your rights to you and you then confess to a crime, whether it is a DUI or murder, that confession cannot be used against you at your trial. With your statement or confession tossed out it can help strengthen your case and possibly force the prosecutor’s office to drop the charges because they do not have enough evidence to prosecute you.

If you have been charged with crime and feel your rights were violated during the process, call our office and we can help you navigate the system. Our office has extensive experience in misdemeanors and felonies. Fighting charges with an attorney’s help is important because any conviction on your record will greatly reduce the possibility of having future charges lowered or dismissed. At the W. Scott Smith law firm we can identify where the police have violated your rights and ensure evidence will be kept out. Our firm can handle your misdemeanor or felony case with the expertise you need to save your record. Give us a call for a free consultation at 404-581-0999.

Labor Day: Traffic Stop Tips

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LABOR DAY WEEKEND EDITION: What Do You Need To Know During A Police Traffic Stop?

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Most people share a general sense of anxiety when they see blue lights flashing in their rear-view mirror.  If you’re like me, when the blue lights come on your heart starts beating 100 mph, you start sweating, and your mind is racing.   Here are some helpful pointers on how to interact with a police officer during a traffic stop.

WHEN YOU SEE THE “BLUE LIGHTS”

1)   Slow down and pull over as quickly as possible.  You never want to give the officer the impression that you’re attempting to get away.  Also, you don’t want to slam on the brakes immediately.  Find a safe location (parking lot, driveway, open area on the side of the road, etc..) and pull over.

2)  Roll down your window, turn off your car, place the keys on the dashboard, and have your driver’s license ready to hand to the Officer.   Obviously, if a police officer pulls you over he/she is going to want to speak with you.  It’s always a good idea to go ahead and roll your window down as soon as possible.  You wouldn’t want the officer to think that you’re having difficulty with the simple task of rolling your window down.  So go ahead and do that first.

Placing your keys on the dashboard will put the officer at ease that you’re not going to take off.  A calm Officer can sometimes be the difference in going to jail and going home.

In addition, the Officers are trained to see if you have difficulty locating your driver’s license.  To many officers, the fact that you are nervous and may not be able to find your license right away is not normal and instead is an indication you’re drunk.  So go ahead and eliminate that assumption immediately.

3)   Let the Officer speak first.   The Officer is trained to get you to admit to the crime he/she thinks you’ve committed.  So a common question an Officer will ask is: “do you know why I pulled you over?”   A lot of people will say: “Yes, I was (insert traffic offense).”   If the Officer is recording your conversation, then there is a strong possibility that statement will be used against in court.  So go ahead and answer the question with an affirmative “no.”   It’s the Officers burden to prove you guilty of the alleged offense and not your burden to proof yourself innocent.

4)  BE POLITE!  This is the key to any interaction with a police officer.  If you are a jerk to the Officer the chances of you getting a ticket and/or getting arrested go up significantly.   Sometimes a police officer can say things that are rude or inconsiderate.   Take the high road.   Remember, on the road he feels like he is in charge and has the ability to really mess up your day.  You’ll have the final say if the case goes to court.  So don’t make it easier for the Officer.  Just be polite and your behavior won’t be used against you at a later date.

If you end up with blue lights in your rear view mirror, try some of the tips listed above.       We hope that no one ends up getting ticketed or, even worse, arrested.

Labor Day weekend is a great chance to relax and enjoy time with friends and family.  With so many people on the road, you can almost guarantee that the police will be out in force.  So be careful and have a great weekend.

GEORGIA LEGISLATURE CHANGES MUGSHOT LAWS

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A few months ago  we talked about the legality of having your mugshot posted all over the internet (see: Georgia Mugshot Websites). Recently, the Georgia General Assembly took another hard stance against companies who prey on those who are booked through Georgia jails.  Our legislature made some drastic changes to the Georgia mugshot laws.

Georgia law now requires that law enforcement agencies refrain from posting booking photographs on their jail inmate website.  The General Assembly went on to limit access to any booking photographs by restricting access to those who are (1) not using the photo for purposes for written publication or website publication; and (2) the person trying to obtain the photograph is not asking for removal or deletion of the booking photograph in exchange for money.  Law Enforcement agencies now can only release photographs to individuals who sign a statement affirming that the use of the photograph will NOT be for purposes of mugshot websites.

The General Assembly obviously recognized there was a serious problem with websites extorting those who have been booked through the criminal process.  Already, the Cobb County Sheriff’s Department has taken steps to remove all photographs from their jail website in accordance with the new law. Hopefully, these steps will put an end to for profit mugshot websites.

Please contact our office today at 404-581-0999 if you have been arrested in Georgia and you need help getting your mugshot removed.

Police Roadblocks in Georgia

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WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT ROADBLOCKS IN GEORGIA

by W. Scott Smith Esq. 

Roadblocks have become more and more popular among Georgia law enforcement agencies.  In North Georgia, we are seeing Georgia State Patrol roadblocks and Georgia Public Safety roadblocks for DUI more than ever before.

Here is what you need to know: The Fourth Amendment to the United States Constitution imposes limits on search-and-seizure powers in order to prevent arbitrary and oppressive interference by Georgia police officials with the privacy and personal security of individuals. The Fourth Amendment to the United States Constitution guarantees “[t]he right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures.” U.S. Const. amend. IV. As its text indicates, the ultimate touchstone of the Fourth Amendment is ‘reasonableness.’ When a driver brings his vehicle to a stop as a result of a request or show of authority by a law enforcement officer, the officer effectively seizes the vehicle and everyone in the vehicle, the driver and all passengers. Such a seizure ordinarily is unreasonable, and hence unconstitutional – absent individualized suspicion. The United States Supreme Court has recognized, however, a narrow exception to the individualized suspicion requirement for vehicle stops made pursuant to a plan embodying explicit, neutral limitations on the conduct of individual officers. Under this checkpoint exception, the reasonableness of the initial stop depends not on individualized suspicion that the driver has committed a traffic violation or other wrongdoing, but instead on the balance between the public interest served by the checkpoint program and the right of individuals to personal security free from arbitrary and oppressive interference by Georgia officials.

Aside from general reasonableness, the Fourth Amendment applied to roadblocks also requires that the government follow with two other main requirements:

The first is that a roadblock is only satisfactory where [1] the decision to implement the roadblock was made by supervisory personnel rather than the officers in the field; [2] all vehicles are stopped as opposed to random vehicle stops; [3] the delay to motorists is minimal; [4] the roadblock operation is well identified as a police checkpoint; and [5] the screening officer’s training and experience is sufficient to qualify him to make an initial determination as to which motorists should be given field tests for intoxication.

The second requirement is that a roadblock program must a have a principle purpose other than the general interest in crime control. The Georgia Supreme Court stated late last year in its landmark roadblock decision Brown v. State that this requirement poses the question as to why an agency utilizes a roadblock.  If the primary purpose of the checkpoint program is crime-fighting in general then the checkpoints implemented under that program are unconstitutional, even if the decision to implement them was made well in advance by the official with the most policymaking authority in the agency.  The Court stated it is at the “programmatic level” that the “primary purpose” inquiry must focus, with the goal of ensuring that the agency has not authorized roadblocks primarily for the general crime control but rather for an “appropriate limited purpose” like traffic safety. Thus, the question is whether the police checkpoint at issue implement pursuant to a checkpoint program that had when viewed at the programmatic level, an appropriate primary purpose other than general crime control.

Based on this recent case law, when we challenge your initial stop at a roadblock by way of a motion to suppress, the State bears the burden of proving that the seizure was constitutional. This requires the State to prove that the stop was reasonable under the totality of the circumstances. At a minimum, the State must show that the law enforcement agency’s checkpoint program had an appropriate primary purpose other than ordinary crime control-a purpose examined at the programmatic level, rather than by trying to determine the motives of the supervisor who implemented and the officers who coordinated the particular roadblock at issue. Further, the State bears the burden of proving that the five (5) requirements in step one were met.  The written policy in Brown stated that the primary purpose of a roadblock was namely “to monitor and check driver’s licenses, driver condition, vehicle registrations, vehicle equipment, and various other requirements of the Georgia State Motor Vehicle and Traffic Code.” Further, the policy also expressly forbids the use of roadblocks as a pretext for general crime detection.  The Court upheld the policy as satisfying the second requirement.

It is our opinion at our criminal defense law firm that every roadblock needs to be closely scrutinized for illegal seizure.  Proper scrutiny requires an examination of a policy purpose of the checkpoint at the programmatic level. The Georgia law enforcement policy must sufficiently limit the agency performing the roadblock, whether it be Georgia State Patrol or others, so that the primary purpose of a roadblock could not be for general crime detection.

They found my gun at the airport! What happens now?

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Bringing Your Gun to the Hartsfield-Jackson Airport in Atlanta, GA

In addition to being the nation’s busiest airport, Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport is also known for confiscating more firearms during security screening than any other airport in the country.

Historically, at Hartsfield-Jackson, when a TSA officer would find a traveler’s firearm during security screening, they would detain the traveler, confiscate the firearm, and immediately notify local law enforcement.  This would happen regardless of whether the traveler had a permit to carry the firearm because Georgia law strictly prohibited the possession of all firearms in its airports.

So, before July 1, 2014, the traveler would be arrested by the Clayton County Police Department and taken to jail. Travel plans would obviously be ruined and a criminal charges would be brought against the traveler. Then, if the prosecuting authority determined that the traveler had no criminal history and there were no aggravating circumstances surrounding the firearm confiscation, they would invite the traveler to participate in their pre-trial diversion program. By successfully completing the program, which involves community service, a gun safety class, and often, drug testing, the traveler would avoid a conviction on their criminal history.

While Clayton County would go forward with their criminal case, TSA would be assessing a federal civil penalty for the firearm violation. Upon determining the fine amount, the traveler would receive a letter via U.S. mail notifying them as to the amount they owe TSA. The penalty would range anywhere from $500 to $10,000 and depend on a variety of circumstances including the traveler’s intentions, level of cooperation, prior history,  risk to the community, and negotiation skills.

That was before July 1…

Now, as of July 1, 2014, Georgia residents with licenses to carry firearms are permitted to carry their firearm in many public places, including the entrance and waiting area in the Hartsfield-Jackson airport. Obviously, this permission does NOT extend to the airport’s terminals due to federal law but TSA officers at security screening will no longer call Clayton County Police Department if the traveler can show proof of their permit to carry.

Instead of calling the police, TSA will give the traveler the following options: 1) check the firearm as luggage (if properly secured in a hard case), 2) return the firearm to their vehicle (if they parked it at the airport), 3) hand the firearm to an individual who is licensed to carry in Georgia and not traveling via the airport, or, in the event that no other option works out, 4) forfeit the firearm permanently to TSA.

Whether the traveler has a license to carry a firearm or not, TSA will still pursue a civil case against them. Like before, TSA will investigate the circumstances of the case and assess a civil penalty ranging from $500 to $10,000. TSA may also temporarily suspend a traveler’s “TSA Pre-Check.”

It is important to remember that Georgia’s new gun laws only affect Georgia residents with valid licenses to carry their firearm(s). All other travelers carrying guns in the Hartsfield-Jackson airport remain out of luck when it comes to TSA calling Clayton County Police Department. Those individuals will be arrested and charged like all gun-carrying travelers were charged prior to July 1, 2014.

If you were charged with bringing a firearm to the Hartsfield-Jackson airport or have any questions about the subject, do not hesitate to contact our firm for a free consultation. You can trust that our firm will work hard to protect your rights and secure the best possible outcome.