Articles Posted in Criminal Defense

What Criminal Damage to Property Means in Georgia Criminal damage to property is Georgia's offense for knowingly damaging or interfering with property that belongs to someone else. Georgia grades the offense in two degrees. Both degrees are felonies, which makes this charge more serious than most people expect. People often arrive at this topic using…

What Counts as Stalking Under Georgia Law Georgia stalking laws make it a crime to follow another person, place them under surveillance, or contact them without consent. The conduct must be done for the purpose of harassing and intimidating that person. The offense of stalking is set out at O.C.G.A. § 16-5-90. A charge generally…

How Georgia Probation Tests for Alcohol What kind of drug test does probation use for alcohol? Not the standard five-panel or ten-panel drug screen, which usually will not catch drinking. Those panels look for drugs, and ethanol clears the body within hours. Georgia supervision officers use alcohol-specific methods instead. So what alcohol test does probation…

Typical Fine Amounts for a Disorderly Conduct Ticket in Georgia If you are asking how much is a disorderly conduct ticket in Georgia, the honest answer is that there is no fixed price. Georgia treats disorderly conduct as a misdemeanor criminal charge, not a payable traffic-style citation like a window tint ticket that you settle…

What Is Aggravated Battery in Georgia? Aggravated battery in Georgia is a felony. The crime happens when a person maliciously causes bodily harm. The harm must fit one of three types. In the first, the victim loses a body member. In the second, a body member no longer works. In the third, the victim suffers…

Georgia's Ban on Firearm Possession by Convicted Felons Can a convicted felon have a gun in Georgia? Generally, no. The controlling statute is OCGA § 16-11-131, Georgia's felon in possession of a firearm law. It makes it a felony for a person convicted of a felony to receive, possess, or transport any firearm. Each of…

What Georgia Law Requires After You Hit a Parked Car In Georgia, the penalty for hit and run parked car cases is usually a misdemeanor. That means up to 12 months in jail, a fine of up to $1,000, and points on your license. Most first offenses with no injury resolve through probation and restitution…

What Is a Revocation Hearing? A revocation hearing is a court proceeding. A judge decides whether a person on probation or parole broke the terms of supervision. If the judge finds a violation, that same judge sets the consequence from the bench that day. Clients often ask what a revocation hearing is and how it…

What Counts as Obstruction of an Officer in Georgia? Obstruction of an officer charges arise under Georgia law. The statute punishes anyone who knowingly and willfully obstructs or hinders any law enforcement officer. The ban applies to the lawful discharge of official duties. The State must prove three elements. First, the person acted knowingly and…

How Bail Works After an Arrest in Georgia Bail in Georgia is money or property pledged to guarantee that a defendant returns to court. Georgia bond amounts are set by a magistrate, state court, or superior court judge, depending on the charge. Bail is security for an appearance, not a fine. Officers book the person…