Georgia Criminal Defense Lawyer Blog

Sexual battery in Georgia means touching another person's intimate parts without consent. A first conviction is a high and aggravated misdemeanor, not a felony. Still, the charge brings jail time, heavy fines, and consequences that can follow a person for years. What Is Sexual Battery Under Georgia Law? Georgia's law defines sexual battery as touching…

What Is a Failure to Appear on a Traffic Ticket? When you sign a Georgia traffic citation, you make a legal promise to appear in court on a specific date. If you do not show up, the court treats it as a failure to appear (FTA). A failure to appear traffic ticket triggers a separate…

What Is a Breath Lock Device? A breath lock device – formally called an ignition interlock device (IID) – is a small breathalyzer wired into a vehicle's ignition system. It stops the engine from starting if it detects alcohol on the driver's breath. Courts and the Georgia Department of Driver Services (DDS) order these devices…

Is it illegal to drive uninsured in Georgia? Yes, the state bars it. Is driving without insurance a crime? Yes, and the offense is a misdemeanor rather than a civil ticket. A conviction can bring a fine of $200 to $1,000. A license suspension is mandatory. Jail exposure runs up to 12 months. Whether an…

Few civil filings move as fast – or carry as much criminal exposure – as a Georgia temporary protective order. One sworn petition, signed by a Superior Court judge after an ex parte hearing, can force a respondent out of the family residence, suspend firearm rights, dictate child custody and visitation, and create a paper…

What Is an Insanity Defense? An insanity defense is an affirmative defense. The defendant admits to committing the act but argues they lacked mental capacity. They claim they could not understand what they did or tell right from wrong. Because of this mental incapacity, the defendant argues they should not face criminal responsibility. This defense…

Is Impaired Driving a Criminal Offense in Georgia? Yes, impaired driving is a criminal offense in Georgia. The state charges impaired driving as Driving Under the Influence. A conviction creates a permanent criminal record. This distinction matters. A speeding ticket or expired tag is a traffic infraction. You pay a fine, and the matter ends.…

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 a Terroristic Threat in Georgia? A terroristic threat is a felony offense. It occurs when a person threatens to commit a violent crime, release a hazardous substance, or burn or damage property. The threat must be made to terrorize another person, cause a building evacuation, or create serious public inconvenience. Georgia law treats…

What Is Public Drunkenness Under Georgia Law? Public drunkenness is a criminal offense in Georgia. It occurs when a person appears intoxicated in a public place and displays observable behavior. This is not simply about drinking too much. The statute requires visible, disruptive conduct. Specifically, public drunkenness occurs when a person appears intoxicated in any…