Internal Affairs Misdirection: DeKalb County Police Commissioner Evades DUI Charge
As reported by 11 Alive News, DeKalb County Police commissioner Stan Watson was visibly drunk and allowed to leave the Tanqueray Lounge on Glenwood Road before returning and requesting that someone drive him home. The commissioner became unruly after accusing a woman of stealing his wallet. An off duty cop working at the lounge attempted […]
Read MoreHB 1176 – Criminal Record / Expungement Reform / Fee Increase
This is our first post in a series discussing the criminal justice reforms enacted in House Bill 1176 and SB 236 and how those reforms will affect DUI prosecution and defense in Georgia. First, HB 1176, deals with a criminal record, expungement, and court fines and costs. Before HB 1176, which will take effect July 1, […]
Read MoreMoney For Your Mugshot: The Imprint of the Internet
The proliferation of the Internet markedly changed and continues to influence how our society uses and consumes information. As with most seminal shifts, there are pros and cons. As a populist tool Internet allows for a completely free and if desired, anonymous exchange of ideas as well as pornography, smut, and piracy. Social media allows […]
Read MoreA DUI Can Happen to Anyone, Even an Expert Witness
On our DUI Hall of Fame page, we chronicle the DUI arrests of celebrities and other notable people in order to show that a DUI can happen to anyone and that you can still be successful with a DUI arrest or conviction on your record. Following this story, we may have to create a page chronicling […]
Read MoreArrest v. Conviction: The Police Only Have So Much Power
It’s always good to remember that when you’re pulled over or questioned by police, an arrest does not mean guilt and an arrest or conviction is not the end of the world. In our practice, we’ve seen officers arrest clients on scanty evidence and simply hope for the best regarding a conviction. But sometimes, as […]
Read MoreDuly Noted: Man in Connecticut Cruises Through DUI Roadblock with Beer in Hand
As we’ve mentioned in our blog Cases of Note, the one thing you want to make sure to do if you’re trying to avoid a roadblock is to stay calm and take a detour. Don’t slow down, turn suddenly, or pull any “abnormal” driving maneuvers. Just be casual, but not too casual like this motorist in […]
Read MoreBlakely v. State – A12A0625: Avoiding a Roadblock Appeal: Buzz words – “Immediate” and “Sudden”
In Blakely v. State – A12A0625, decided June 14, 2012, Blakely appealed the denial of a motion to suppress evidence from the Superior Court of Elbert County, Elberton, Georgia. The defendant was approaching a roadblock when he “immediately” made a “kind of sudden turn” according to the arrest report. Initially, the arresting officer testified that Defendant was […]
Read MoreArmour v. State – A12A0274 – Johnson County Drug DUI Appeal: When do you have DUI Drug Probable Cause?
Armor v. State – A12A0274 is an appeal of a Johnson County, Wrightsville, Georgia Jury Trial verdict heard on May 2nd, 2012. After a fatal collision, Defendant was arrested at the hospital. The Officer investigating the accident smelled burnt marijuana in the car, found small pieces of marijuana in the carpet of the car, and a […]
Read MoreArizona v. United States – Arizona Immigration Reform: What does the SCOTUS decision mean for Georgia DUI Arrests? Nothing after the first 72 hours.
In Arizona v. the United States, decided June 25, 2012, the United States Supreme Court held that Federal power preempts States’ rights regarding the enforcement of immigration laws. The U.S. Supreme Court decision struck down the provisions of the Arizona law that made it a state crime to hire illegal aliens and be in violation of […]
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