Georgia Criminal Defense Lawyer Blog

An Overview of The Criminal Defense Process in Georgia

Published on: October 9, 2024 | Kohn & Yager LLC

If you are fighting criminal charges, it is vital to comprehend the intricacies of the many criminal defense procedures and tactics. Within Georgia’s legal framework, offenses are differentiated into felonies and misdemeanors, and each statutory enactment will provide the range of the potential penalties if convicted.

Georgia criminal lawyer Larry Kohn has over 25 years of courtroom experience where he defends clients accused of DUI, sex crimes, assault and battery, and theft.
The commencement of this process is marked by charging the accused party, which then leads to their arraignment and initial hearings in court. Retaining a competent Atlanta criminal defense attorney is instrumental in guiding defendants through these proceedings while meticulously managing all necessary documentation and minimizing errors.

Enlisting an Atlanta criminal attorney can facilitate swifter case settlements and more favorable results due to their proficiency in maneuvering through the legal labyrinth, and adapting strategies that align with that individual client’s “best case” scenarios. These legal professionals play a key role in ensuring that clients exercise their right to remain silent and learn what judicial expectations will be (if a client testifies, which is rare) and to know which experts may be needed to cast doubt on the reliability of the State’s evidence against our client.

Georgia First Offender Act: How to Qualify

Published on: October 7, 2024 | Kohn & Yager LLC

The Georgia First Offender Act is a sentencing option that allows certain first-time offenders to avoid a permanent criminal record (record restriction). Under this act, eligible individuals can plead guilty or nolo contendere (nolo) to a charge without facing misdemeanor convictions.

After you complete your sentence, the court drops the charge. There is no guilty verdict, so your criminal record stays private.

Atlanta first offender act Georgia lawyer Larry Kohn has defended first offense clients in all local courtrooms for over 25 years. Meet with Larry during a free lawyer consultation and see if you qualify for this potentially beneficial program.
Larry Kohn is a leading criminal defense lawyer in Atlanta, Georgia. He has over 500 AVVO 5-star reviews. Larry has a lot of experience helping clients understand the First Offender Act Georgia. This powerful legal tool offers a second chance to eligible individuals facing their first criminal charge.

Types of Forgery in Georgia Charges – Best Defenses

Published on: September 11, 2024 | Kohn & Yager LLC

Georgia law recognizes four degrees of forgery, each carrying different penalties:

First Degree Forgery: Involves making, altering, or possessing any forged writing (except checks) and uttering or delivering it.

Second Degree Forgery: Similar to first degree, but without uttering or delivering the forged document.

What Is Illegal Gambling in Georgia?

Published on: September 10, 2024 | Kohn & Yager LLC

Many people contact our law office to ask, “What is illegal gambling in Georgia?” Most gambling is illegal in Georgia, with only a few exceptions allowed. The only forms of gambling allowed in Georgia are the Georgia State Lottery, charitable raffles, and bingo games.

The minimum gambling age in Georgia is 18 years for the lottery and bingo. Georgia defines gambling as betting on games or contests or playing cards, dice, or ball games to win money or valuable items. Below are the key points about gambling laws in Georgia.

Is gambling legal in Georgia? For the most part, no it is not. Illegal gambling is a crime in Georgia. It can lead to misdemeanor charges with harsh penalties upon conviction. Penalties may include up to 1 year in jail. Fines can exceed $1,000, or both jail time and fines. Other sentencing penalties include extended probation, and asset seizure in some cases.

Georgia Boating Laws 2024 – Latest Changes

Published on: September 10, 2024 | Kohn & Yager LLC

The metro Atlanta area offers many waterways where Georgians and residents of other states can enjoy boating, skiing, fishing, and just riding around Lake Lanier on a clear day. The Georgia Department of Natural Resources (GA DNR) oversees all boating activities. They enforce laws to keep everyone safe. Sometimes those regulations are broken and arrests are made on the Chattahoochee River and other recreational areas.

This comprehensive guide covers key regulations to help boaters stay safe and compliant on Georgia’s waterways. Larry Kohn is a top criminal defense lawyer in Atlanta, Georgia. He has more than 500 five-star AVVO reviews and is knowledgeable about boating laws in Georgia.

Georgia Law on Boating License and Education Requirements

First DUI Penalties in Georgia: What You Must Know

Published on: August 4, 2024 | Kohn & Yager LLC

If you’ve been arrested for DUI in Georgia, you are likely feeling overwhelmed and uncertain about your immediate future. Larry Kohn, an Atlanta DUI lawyer with many positive client reviews, understands the overbearing worry and fear of facing first-time DUI charges. Larry’s clients want to know, “What is the penalty for first offense DUI in Georgia?”

Atlanta DUI attorney Larry Kohn has over 25 years of courtroom experience representing first DUI cases in Cobb, Fulton, DeKalb, Forsyth, and Cherokee counties. He is very highly rated by clients and his fellow lawyers.
This guide will explain all possible penalties if convicted. The most common penalty for a first-time DWI or DUI conviction is a sizable court fine. But an arrest is not always a conviction! We will fight your charges together.

Understanding First-Time DUI Penalties in Georgia

Bigamy in Georgia: Understanding the Law and Consequences

Published on: August 1, 2024 | Kohn & Yager LLC

Are you facing bigamy charges in Georgia? As a criminal defense attorney with over 500 AVVO 5-star reviews, Larry Kohn has extensive experience defending clients against complex legal accusations, including bigamy. This comprehensive guide will help you understand the intricacies of bigamy laws in Georgia and the potential consequences of such charges.

What Is Bigamy in Georgia?

Under Georgia law, bigamy is defined as the act of marrying another person or carrying on a bigamous cohabitation while knowingly being married to a living spouse. This offense is taken seriously in the state and can result in severe legal consequences.

What Is the Crime of Feticide in Georgia?

Published on: August 1, 2024 | Kohn & Yager LLC

Feticide in GA is when someone intentionally causes the death of an unborn child by harming the mother. This would be considered murder if it resulted in the mother’s death. Feticide can also occur by causing the death of the fetus while committing a felony. This feticide definition is outlined in Georgia Code § 16-5-80.

The law applies to “unborn children” at any stage of development in the womb. New laws, such as the six-week abortion ban in 2022, aim to protect the rights of unborn babies. These laws may also bring more focus on actions that could harm a fetus.

Georgia’s feticide law has changed recently, along with laws in other states. This happened after the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade. The state Supreme Court has upheld Georgia’s six-week abortion ban.

Failure to Stop at Stop Sign in Georgia

Published on: July 31, 2024 | Kohn & Yager LLC

Failure to come to a complete stop at a stop sign in Georgia can result in serious legal consequences, including fines, points on your license, and increased insurance rates. Understanding the law and how to handle a stop sign violation can prevent you from getting tickets. It can also help you contest tickets successfully.

This guide explains the rules for stopping at stop signs in Georgia. It also provides tips for avoiding tickets – and ways to show you followed the law if you get a ticket. Traffic ticket lawyer Larry Kohn is ready to meet with you at a free consultation in his Sandy Springs office, or he can meet you at another of our law firm offices around Atlanta,

Does failure to stop at a stop sign go on your insurance? Yes, failing to stop at a stop sign in Georgia can have significant impacts on a driver’s record and insurance rates. A conviction for this violation adds three points to the driver’s license. This point addition is particularly concerning because getting 15 points within a 24-month period can mean license suspension.

What Is Failure to Obey Traffic Control Device in Georgia?

Published on: July 30, 2024 | Kohn & Yager LLC

Not following traffic signs is a common problem in Georgia. It can lead to fines, points on your license, and higher insurance rates. This offense covers disobeying traffic lights, stop signs, and other official road signs or signals.

If you receive a traffic ticket, hiring a lawyer such as ex-cop Cory Yager or top-rated Larry Kohn will work to reduce the penalties. This is especially true if you have a clean driving record in Georgia.

In Georgia, not following traffic signals, signs, or markings on roads is against the law. A police officer typically classifies this offense as a misdemeanor traffic violation when they observe and cite it. If caught by a red light camera, it may be a civil offense instead of a criminal one. Common examples include running red lights, not stopping at stop signs, ignoring turn restriction signs, and not yielding at flashing signals.