Articles Posted in Criminal Defense

What Is a Motion in Limine? A motion in limine is a pretrial request asking a judge to rule on whether specific evidence may be presented at trial. If the judge grants the motion, the jury never hears the excluded evidence. The term comes from Latin. "In limine" means "at the threshold" or "at the…

What Is Terroristic Threatening? Georgia's Definition Terroristic threatening is the everyday name for a Georgia charge that punishes threats of violence, not acts of terrorism. A terroristic threat happens when a person threatens to commit a crime of violence, to release a hazardous substance, or to burn or damage property. The state must also prove…

What Is a Motion to Vacate or Modify an Order of Protection? A motion to vacate or modify an order of protection is a formal written request to a Georgia court. The request asks the court to either cancel a protective order entirely or change its specific terms. If you were just served and the…

What Counts as a First-Time Drug Offense in Georgia? A first-time drug offense is any drug-related charge, most commonly possession of a controlled substance. Drug crimes in Georgia range from misdemeanor marijuana possession to felony trafficking. It applies to people with no prior drug convictions. Georgia treats drug charges under the Georgia Controlled Substances Act.…

Most forms of gambling are illegal in Georgia in 2026. The only legal exceptions are the Georgia State Lottery, licensed charitable bingo, and charitable raffles. Casino games and sports betting are both banned, and that ban covers online sportsbooks such as DraftKings, FanDuel, Bovada, and Novig. Horse and dog racing bets are illegal too, as…

Is forging a signature a felony in Georgia? Usually yes: signing another person's name with intent to defraud is charged as forgery, and most of those charges are felonies. Forgery in Georgia is both a misdemeanor and a felony, depending on the degree. Clients often ask our criminal defense attorneys: is forgery a misdemeanor or…

By Atlanta Criminal Defense Lawyer Larry Kohn – Super Lawyer 9 Years In a Row With Over 28 Years As a Top Atlanta Attorney The Georgia First Offender Act is a sentencing option that allows certain first-time misdemeanor and felony offenders to avoid a permanent mark on their criminal record. Under this act, eligible individuals…

Georgia sets no single statewide price for a stop sign ticket. The court handling your citation sets the fine, which commonly runs from about $150 up to the $1,000 ceiling that applies to misdemeanors, and a conviction adds 3 points to your driver's license. The exact cost depends on the county where you were cited,…

Georgia has both a castle doctrine and a stand your ground law that together give residents broad self-defense rights. The castle doctrine under defense of habitation protects people who defend their home, occupied vehicle, or place of business. The Stand Your Ground law removes the duty to retreat in any location where a person has…

Georgia’s cruelty to children laws cover far more than obvious physical abuse and can lead to harsh felony or misdemeanor consequences even when no one is seriously hurt. If you are under investigation or already charged with GA cruelty to children, you need to understand the different degrees of this offense and how fast things…