Articles Posted in Criminal Defense

How Long a Speeding Ticket Stays on Your Georgia Driving Record In Georgia, the points from a speeding ticket count against your license for 24 months. The conviction itself stays on your driving record much longer. Understanding how long a speeding ticket stays on your license means keeping three separate clocks apart. First, Georgia's Department…

What Is a Misdemeanor? A misdemeanor is a criminal offense. It ranks below a felony but above a civil infraction. Most courts punish a misdemeanor with up to one year in county jail. They can also add fines, probation, or community service. Even a minor criminal charge can follow you for years. A felony conviction…

Is Attempted Theft a Crime in Georgia? Yes, attempted theft is a crime in Georgia. Many people wonder if attempted theft qualifies as a crime when no property was actually taken. The answer is clear: Georgia law makes it a crime to take a substantial step in an attempt to commit theft, even if you…

Do Warrants Expire in Georgia? Warrants in Georgia generally do not expire. An active warrant is entered in the databases police query, including the federal system behind an NCIC warrant search, and remains in effect until law enforcement serves it, the issuing judge recalls it, or the subject dies. There is no built-in clock that…

Bail vs. Bond: What They Mean in Georgia Bail is the amount of money a judge sets to secure a defendant's release from jail before trial. A bond is the method used to post that bail. Many people use these terms interchangeably, but they describe different parts of the same process. People often search for…

What Is Theft of Lost or Mislaid Property Under Georgia Law? Under Georgia law, theft of lost or mislaid property occurs when a person gains control of property they know or learn to be lost or mislaid and then keeps it without first taking reasonable measures to return it to the owner. The offense is…

What Is Legal Restitution in Georgia? A sentencing court may order a defendant to pay a victim restitution. This money compensates the victim for a loss caused by the offense. Restitution is part of the criminal sentence itself, not a separate lawsuit filed by the victim. Three ideas get confused here, and the difference matters.…

What Counts as a Felony in Georgia? In Georgia, a felony is an offense. It is punishable by imprisonment for more than 12 months. It can include life imprisonment. A misdemeanor is capped at 12 months. Most readers want to know which charges cross that line. The possible sentence decides it. Georgia uses three tiers.…

What Georgia's Implied Consent Law Actually Requires No officer can physically force you to blow into a breath machine. By driving on Georgia roads, you give implied consent under OCGA § 40-5-55. This means consent to a state-administered chemical test. The test covers blood, breath, urine, or other bodily substances. Refusing that test is a…

What Counts as an Illegal U Turn in Georgia? Georgia has no blanket ban on turning around. On most roads the maneuver stays legal until a sign, a sightline problem, or a safety problem makes it unlawful. That is why an illegal U turn ticket always turns on where the turn happened and how it…