Georgia Criminal Defense Lawyer Blog

What Is an Abandonment Warrant in Georgia? An abandonment warrant is an arrest warrant issued when a parent is accused of willfully abandoning a dependent child without necessary support. This support includes food, clothing, and shelter. In Georgia, this criminal charge is separate from civil child support enforcement and carries potential jail time. Understanding the…

What Is Involuntary Intoxication? Involuntary intoxication means a person became impaired without knowing it, or without any say in it. Voluntary intoxication is a choice. The person picks up the drink or takes the drug. Involuntary intoxication is not a choice at all. It happens through no fault of the impaired person. Georgia law treats…

Is Speeding a Criminal Offense in Georgia? Most traffic offenses in Georgia are misdemeanors. Our list of misdemeanors covers the charges most commonly filed and what each one carries. Most speeding tickets in Georgia are charged as misdemeanors and end in a fine. Georgia law makes any violation of its traffic chapter a misdemeanor unless…

What Is a Following Too Closely Ticket in Georgia? A following too closely ticket is a moving violation under Georgia law. It charges a driver with failing to keep a safe distance behind the vehicle ahead. Under Georgia law, a driver must not follow another vehicle more closely than is reasonable and prudent. The statute…

How Long Is a Georgia Weapons Carry License Valid? A Georgia Weapons Carry License (WCL) is valid for five years from the date of issuance. Georgia law sets a five-year term for Weapons Carry Licenses. It applies to both original licenses and renewals. The expiration date is printed on the physical license card. Georgia does…

The National Crime Information Center (NCIC) is an FBI database built for police work. It contains records on wanted persons, missing persons, and stolen property. It also links each officer to the FBI's national index of criminal history records. Law enforcement and authorized criminal justice agencies across the country share that information in real time.…

Are DUI Records Public in Georgia? Yes, most Georgia DUI records are public. You need to understand which records are available and where to find them. Georgia's Open Records Act creates a strong presumption that public records should be available for inspection. The law defines "public record" broadly. It includes documents, computer files, and similar…

Does Georgia Have a Driving Curfew for 16- and 17-Year-Olds? Yes. Georgia's Teenage and Adult Driver Responsibility Act (TADRA) placed nighttime driving restrictions for provisional license holders in the licensing code. Class D provisional license holders may not drive between midnight and 5:00 a.m. The restriction rides on the license class, so this curfew for…

How Much Do Breathalyzers Cost? a Quick Answer A personal breathalyzer costs $20 to $150 or more. Basic keychain semiconductor units sit at the low end, and fuel-cell devices sit at the top. Professional-grade evidential instruments, like the Intoxilyzer 9000 used by Georgia law enforcement, are a different story. Those cost thousands of dollars and…

What Is Georgia's First Offender Act? Georgia's First Offender Act is codified under the First Offender Act. It is a sentencing option that allows eligible defendants to plead guilty or nolo contendere without a formal conviction on their record. This is not a diversion program. Under this structure, the court imposes a sentence. The sentence…