General Blog

Leaving the scene of an accident—commonly called hit and run—is a serious offense under Georgia law. Whether the collision involves an attended vehicle, an unattended (parked) vehicle, injury, or only property damage, drivers have specific statutory duties. Failing to comply can result in misdemeanor or felony charges, fines, possible jail time, points on your driving record, and mandatory driver’s license…Read More

Insights from Landmark Supreme Court Cases for Georgia Criminal Defense Clients In high-stakes congressional hearings and criminal investigations, the Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination remains one of the most powerful protections available to witnesses and defendants. A timely question has arisen in national news: Can a person who received a preemptive presidential pardon still invoke the Fifth Amendment when questioned…Read More

A Summary Of Professor James Duane’s Viral Lecture “Don’t Talk To The Cops” And His Book You Have The Right To Remain Innocent If you’ve ever been pulled over, questioned by police, or arrested in Georgia, you’ve probably heard the familiar words: “You have the right to remain silent.” This wisdom is ancient: The Bible teaches, “Whoever keeps his mouth…Read More

On June 16, 2026, the Supreme Court of Georgia issued a major decision in Clark v. Leigh (2026 WL 1728636) that strengthens one of the most fundamental protections in our justice system: the right to a jury trial. In a unanimous opinion authored by Chief Justice Peterson, the Court reaffirmed its 2010 ruling in Atlanta Oculoplastic Surgery, P.C. v. Nestlehutt…Read More

In a major decision released June 29, 2026, the Georgia Court of Appeals affirmed a jury’s enormous verdict in a wrongful death lawsuit stemming from a tragic 2018 auto accident. The case, Simmons v. Watson et al. (A26A0426), involved the family and estate of Deborah Bates, who suffered catastrophic injuries and died after being struck by a driver who ran…Read More

On June 29, 2026, the U.S. Supreme Court issued a significant decision in Chatrie v. United States, 609 U.S. ___ (2026), that strengthens Fourth Amendment protections against government access to precise digital location data. The Court held that law enforcement’s use of a “geofence warrant” to obtain Google Location History data constituted a Fourth Amendment search, extending the privacy principles…Read More

On May 12, 2026, Governor Brian Kemp signed Senate Bill 220, officially known as the “Putting Georgia’s Patients First Act” which went into effect on July 1st, 2026. This bipartisan legislation significantly expands and modernizes Georgia’s medical cannabis program, moving away from one of the most restrictive frameworks in the country. As a Georgia attorney helping clients navigate medical cannabis…Read More

In June 2026, former Colorado Bureau of Investigation forensic scientist Yvonne “Missy” Woods accepted a plea deal after facing 102 felony charges. She pleaded guilty to cybercrime, perjury, forgery, and attempting to influence a public servant. While she avoided a lengthy trial, the damage she caused may never be fully known. Woods, a veteran analyst with nearly 30 years at…Read More

A major change to Georgia’s First Offender Act is coming on July 1, 2026. Under HB 162, most First Offender records will now be restricted and sealed from public view — giving people who successfully complete (or are completing) a First Offender sentence a much better chance at a true second opportunity. This new law addresses a long-standing problem: even…Read More

If you’ve been charged with Boating Under the Influence (BUI) in Georgia, you may be wondering how the penalties compare to a standard DUI. While the two offenses share many similarities, there are important differences in how they affect your privileges, the administrative consequences, and the potential punishments. Here’s a clear breakdown of DUI vs. BUI penalties in Georgia. What…Read More