When a situation becomes violent, it can be scary for everyone involved. However, after the situation passes, there are so many explanations as to why a violent reaction occurred. This is what we uncovered during a recent case. Our 32-year-old client agreed to watch his sister’s two young children while she and her mother flew …
Continue reading “A Client Success Story: Medical Care Instead of Battery Charges”
According to the National Association for Shoplifting Prevention, approximately 27 million people shoplift or have shoplifted in the U.S. That breaks down to about 1 out of every 11 Americans, and they estimate that 75% are adults. For many, shoplifting can seem like it’s no big deal, but the truth is that shoplifting is a …
Continue reading “Disproving the 3 Biggest Myths About Shoplifting in Georgia”
A DUI arrest is often a scary and stressful time for the person charged. You likely have many questions and several thoughts racing through your mind. We often find that our clients wonder what to do next, if they will lose their license or automobile insurance, and whom they should call for advice. Preparation is …
Continue reading “4 Things You Need to Do Immediately After a DUI Arrest”
Georgia law defines arson as the willful and malicious burning or charring of property. Because not all courts treat arson cases the same, your first step should be a consultation with an experienced criminal defense attorney who can help determine the best way to proceed with your case. For example, knowingly setting fire to a …
Continue reading “3 Ways an Arson Conviction Can Tarnish Your Record”
Like most other states, Georgia has laws against gambling. However, Georgia’s gambling laws (O.C.G.A. § 16-12-20) are relatively strict, and the prohibited activities may surprise you. Georgia defines gambling as betting on the final result of a game or contest or wagering on games played with cards, dice, or balls, in order to win money …
Continue reading “But It Was Just a Bet: Avoiding Gambling Charges in Georgia”
The school year is just beginning in districts across the state, which means school busses will be resuming their normal routes through all of Georgia’s neighborhoods. According to the 2012 Transportation Review by the National Conference of State Legislatures, there are an estimated 24 child fatalities each year involving school busses. Two-thirds of these fatalities …
Continue reading “Passing A School Bus: Tips for Avoiding a Big Traffic Ticket”
On June 18, 2014, Justin Ross Harris strapped his 22 month-old son, Cooper Harris, into his car seat and drove to work. On a normal day, Cooper would have been dropped off at daycare on the way to Justin’s work; but a tragedy occurred that day instead. After a stop at Chick Fil-A, Justin Harris …
What Are Miranda Rights? Many people associate the term “Miranda Rights” with a potential get-out-of-jail-free card. It’s a common misconception that if you are not read your Miranda Rights, which all evidence will be thrown out, and your criminal case will automatically be dismissed. In some cases, the suppression of the defendant’s statement may lead …
When it comes to arson charges, they vary from serious to much more serious. Though classified as first, second, or third degree, they are all prosecuted as felonies. Sentencing varies based upon the degree of the charge. If you are facing potential arson charges, you need to know how each degree is different, and what …
Continue reading “How to Pick the Right Georgia Attorneys When You Face Charges for Arson”
Animal cruelty charges frequently escalate into high-profile cases that are exploited and widely promulgated through media and news outlets, especially when celebrities and public figures are involved. The emotionally charged nature of this crime often results in a prejudiced backlash against the accused before they have had to chance to defend themselves. While animal cruelty …
Continue reading “What You Need to Know About Animal Cruelty Charges and Penalties in Georgia”
Divorce is painful and emotional for all parties involved, especially when children are affected by the ending of the marriage. Even if both parties have easily solved the custodial agreements, there can often be a much more difficult battle over child support. The Family Law Attorneys at Andersen, Tate & Carr specialize in generating results …
Continue reading “6 Things You Need To Know About Georgia Child Support”
Finding yourself pulled to the side of the road after stopping for a drink with a friend can be a terrifying moment. Even if you’ve only had one alcoholic beverage, you could be driving illegally, and in the moment, it can be impossible to know for sure. Many drivers don’t understand Georgia’s Driving Under the …
Continue reading “Be Prepared: Understanding Georgia’s DUI Laws”
Stalking is considered a serious crime that can carry significant sentencing. Stalking is no longer limited to traditional forms of contact, as it now encompasses new forms of electronic communication. In some cases, alleged victims of stalking will provide false information to authorities or mistakenly identify their stalker, so it is critical to understand what constitutes …
Continue reading “Understanding Stalking Charges in the State of Georgia”
Our client, a middle-aged male, was convicted on two counts of child molestation for inappropriate contact with his minor children in 1994. The charges were brought against our client during a time when he and his ex-wife were engaged in a dispute over custody and visitation. He was sentenced to five years in prison, and …
Continue reading “Removal From the Georgia Sex Offender Registry: an ATC Success Story”
White-collar crime encompasses a full range of financially motivated, nonviolent crimes committed by individuals, businesses, and government officials. There are many different types of white-collar crimes, and depending on the circumstances, charges can be brought as either a misdemeanor or a felony. In addition, an individual convicted of a white-collar crime may face civil lawsuits …
Continue reading “White-Collar Crime: Charges and Consequences in the State of Georgia”
In Georgia, criminal property damage is the most common form of property damage. Broken down into 1st and 2nd degree charges, both forms of criminal property damage are felonies and can lead to life-altering consequences. However, the severity of sentencing relies heavily on whether the defendant is charged with 1st degree or 2nd degree criminal …
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In a recent DUI case, Patrick McDonough of Andersen, Tate & Carr filed a Motion to Suppress on behalf of his client, resulting in a successful dismissal of the case being brought against the Defendant. Last April, a 19-year-old driver was pulled over for a suspected DUI in Athens, Georgia. An officer from the Athens-Clarke …
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A recent ruling by the Georgia Supreme Court may be challenging the constitutionality of some DUI chemical tests. In March of this year, the Georgia Supreme Court ruled that John Williams, who was pulled over for a suspected DUI in 2012, may not have “actually” consented to giving his blood. In Williams v. The State …
According to the United Way of Greater Atlanta, “approximately 10 percent of the population entering jail or prison is homeless,” which means that as these incarcerated individuals reenter society upon their release from jail or prison, they are likely to return to the streets. As attorneys, we see first-hand the challenges facing those who have …
Continue reading “Helping Reduce the Rate of Repeat Offenders through the GRIP Program”
Most people have experienced a moment in life when they had a lapse in judgment. Georgia’s First Offender Act (O.C.G.A. 42-8-60 et. seq.) is a law aimed at giving some first time offenders a second chance. For those who are eligible, the First Offender Act protects a person from a conviction and seals the charge from …
Continue reading “HB 310 Expands Access to Georgia’s First Offender Act”
