Articles Posted in Criminal Defense

Is Gambling Legal in Georgia in 2026?

Published on: April 23, 2026 | Kohn & Yager LLC

By Larry Kohn, Georgia Gambling Lawyer Since 1998 – Over 600 AVVO 5-Star Client Reviews

Despite many attempts by lawmakers over the years to legalize gambling in Georgia most gambling is still illegal, with only a few exceptions. Georgia defines gambling as betting on sports games or contests. or playing cards, dice, or other casino-style games to win money or valuable items.

The only forms of legal gambling allowed in Georgia are the official Georgia State Lottery, charitable raffles, and bingo games.

Types of Forgery in Georgia Charges – Updated 2026

Published on: March 11, 2026 | Kohn & Yager LLC

By Atlanta Criminal Defense Attorney Larry Kohn, With Over 28 Years of Courtroom Experience and Over 600 5-Star AVVO Reviews

Georgia criminal law in 2026 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.

Georgia First Offender Act 2026: How to Qualify

Published on: March 7, 2026 | Kohn & Yager LLC

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 can plead guilty or nolo contendere (nolo) to a charge without facing a permanent conviction. That means the whole incident will not appear on background checks for employment, college admissions, and professional license renewals.

Atlanta traffic ticket lawyer Larry Kohn has over 510 AVVO 5-star reviews, and has been named a Super Lawyer 9 years in a row.
The only requirement is that you must be 100% done and compliant with all of your sentencing penalties meaning you paid all your fines, you met regularly with your probation officer, and you finished sereving your jail term. After you complete your sentence, the State drops the charge. There is no guilty verdict, so your criminal record stays private.

Failure to Stop at a Stop Sign in Georgia: 2026 Law Changes

Published on: February 27, 2026 | Kohn & Yager LLC

By Atlanta Traffic Ticket Lawyer Larry Kohn With Over 28 Years of Criminal Law Experience

Failure to come to a complete stop at a stop sign in Georgia is a serious traffic offense mainly because of the points that get added to your license or driving record. A conviction for this violation adds 3 points to your driver’s license. This point addition is particularly concerning because getting 15 points within a 24-month period can mean license suspension. Other conviction penalties include fines and increased car insurance rates.

Atlanta criminal lawyer Larry Kohn has over 500 Google 5-star reviews, and has handled thousands of traffic tickets for his clients for over 25 years.
Paying the ticket without talking to a lawyer first at a free consultation (over the phone or in person) means you are pleading guilty to the traffic offense. Please talk to Larry first! Call his office at (404) 567-5515 and his paralegal will answer and take down your name and number, and a few details of your case. Then Larry will call you back the same day unless court runs long. Larry has been doing this defense work for almost 30 years and he is the best at diosmantling the prosecutor’s case against you.

Georgia Stand Your Ground Law: Atlanta Criminal Defense Lawyers

Published on: February 19, 2026 | Kohn & Yager LLC

By: William Head, one of America’s best-known criminal defense attorneys, and a Double Dawg from UGA for undergraduate and law school

Georgia stand your ground lawyer Bubba Head represents people accused of criminal charges while protecting their domain or castle. Free consultation.
If you are facing criminal charges after defending yourself in Atlanta or anywhere in the metro Atlanta area, Georgia’s Stand Your Ground law may protect you from prosecution. If you dripped a pin on the map of the Peach State, Atlanta Georgia will be “ground zero” for such crimes. That is why our law firm is based here.

Georgia DUI Law Firm Kohn & Yager travels the entire state of GA to defend clients arrested for stand your ground allegations. Free consultation. (404) 567-5515.
You know that you need a top-rated criminal defense lawyer near me, but most do not know when to start. Whether facing a DUI arrest case or other serious criminal law accusation, you want an Atlanta criminal attorney with “clout” and extensive know-how at you side.

What Is Cruelty To Children In GA? Definition, Defenses, Penalties

Published on: February 13, 2026 | Kohn & Yager LLC

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 can spiral down without an experienced domestic violence lawyer GA on your side.

Georgia domestic violence lawyer Larry Kohn knows how damaging a cruelty to children conviction is, so he goes to work right away looking for errors made by the arresting officer.
Criminal defense attorney Larry Kohn has represented thousands of clients since 1998, and has over 600 5-star reviews.

Mr. Kohn is just amazing. He is truthful and realistic when explaining potential outcomes of your case and doesn’t force you to hire him or anything. When I met him, he went through everything about the case and ways to fight it off first before even telling me about his services. He got my case dismissed and kept me out of a lot of potential problems with school applications and future job opportunities. I highly recommend him to anyone.

2026 Georgia Simple Battery Law | OCGA 16‑5‑23 Charges & Penalties

Published on: December 27, 2025 | Kohn & Yager LLC

By: Larry Kohn, a 28-Year Veteran of Courtrooms Across GA – Named a Super Lawyer 9 Years in a Row

Under OCGA 16‑5‑23, a simple battery in Georgia means making physical contact that is insulting, provoking, or causes visible bodily harm. This guide explains Georgia simple battery penalties, what happens on a first offense, and ways an experienced criminal defense attorney can fight a simple battery charge in GA.

GA Simple Battery Pre-Trial Diversion Program - Kohn & Yager
Often, a phone call to our office is for a family member of our client, seeking to obtain a bond for a simple battery (or similar) family violence case. In rare occasions, one of our attorneys must make a jail visit, but typically, the potential client has bonded out of jail.

Georgia DUI Laws & Regulations: Statutes & Regulatory Info

Published on: August 14, 2025 | Kohn & Yager LLC

These materials cover various Georgia DUI laws, and roughly two dozen could apply to your pending case. Seeing this maze of legal rules and statutes is proof positive that a person should never try to self-represent.

Atlanta DUI attorneys Cory Yager, Bubba Head, and Larry Kohn are all Super Lawyers with a combined 93 years of courtroom litigation experience. Each lawyer has stood by their client at thousands of arraignments, mostly DUI.
If money is an issue, then seek to qualify for a public defender, at the State’s cost. The United States Constitution guarantees that those who prove indigency can get legal counsel to help them with their case.

Because every DUI conviction in Georgia cannot EVER be removed from your criminal record, fighting these cases is imperative. Because our award-winning law firm knows how important it is for citizens charged with this crime to get IMMEDIATE information on how to protect their right to keep driving, we offer an initial FREE lawyer consultation on all Georgia DUI cases. Dial 404-567-5515 and do it NOW, 24 hours a day.

Georgia Criminal Defense – Find the Right Lawyer

Published on: July 7, 2025 | Kohn & Yager LLC

Working with the criminal justice system in Georgia is a daunting experience, whether you’re facing a minor misdemeanor or a serious felony. The stakes are high: your freedom, reputation, and future are all at risk. But you are not alone. With the right information and a skilled criminal defense attorney, you can protect your rights and fight for the best possible outcome.

This comprehensive guide to Georgia criminal defense will help you understand your options, answer your most pressing questions, and connect you with the resources you need.

Georgia criminal defense lawyers Cory Yager, Bubba Head, and Larry Kohn have over 93 years of combined legal experience representing thousands of clients in municipal courts and state courts in the metro Atlanta area. Free consultation. Kohn & Yager Law Firm.

Why Do People Hire a Georgia Criminal Defense Lawyer?

City Ordinance Violations in Georgia – Updated 2026

Published on: July 4, 2025 | Kohn & Yager LLC

In Georgia, cities and municipalities can make their own laws called local ordinances, or city ordinances.

A city ordinance violation is not considered a misdemeanor or felony, but it is a punishable offense under 2026 Georgia criminal law.

Atlanta city ordinance attorneys Larry Kohn, Bubba Head, and Cory Yager have over 95 years of experience representing good people arrested for various city ordinance violations around Georgia. Free lawyer consultation and payment plans.
During your arraignment, you and your Atlanta criminal defense lawyer will enter a plea of not guilty at your first court date. The Georgia municipal court system handles cases that occur in the town where the infraction occurred. You do not have an automatic right to a jury trial for local ordinance violations.