In my last column, I wrote about the trend towards misdemeanor bail reform in the American Criminal Justice System. Relatedly, there has been a lot of focus on misdemeanor probation. This is not so much […]
There is a movement across the country as well as in Georgia regarding misdemeanor bail reform. The Judicial Council of Georgia recently put out a report from its Ad Hoc committee on the subject. A […]
Where do you live? It seems like a simple question for most people, but it isn’t for everyone. And, when you are talking about the law, it matters. You sue someone where they live. You […]
I am always surprised how unprepared people seem when they come to court, especially when they don’t have a good lawyer to advise them. Then again, having had a quarter century’s worth of experience in […]
What is money? Seems like a simple question, right? Money is your bank balance. Money is the paper bills in your wallet. Money is the coins you find between your sofa cushions and under your […]
When one thinks of the Department of Drivers’ Services, as a general rule, one does not immediately then think the word “efficient” or “user friendly.” And yet, sometimes, that’s exactly what Georgia’s DDS is. Enter […]
Every once in a while, you can be driving along, minding your own business and following every traffic law, and still be legally stopped by the police. This type of stop can be called a […]
If you’ve ever been in a motor vehicle accident, you know that there is a lot to the aftermath. Hopefully, you’ve been able to walk away without any lasting injuries. There may be just a […]
Most people know the basic rules of traffic, and what the basic signs mean. However, I have been asked from time to time about the concept of “right of way.” This concept not only regulates […]
Note: the opinions and observations contained below are my own only, and do not necessarily reflect those of the individuals or agencies named below. I take full and sole responsibility for everything I’ve said. On […]
Most of us have had an experience on the road wherein we have seen someone driving erratically, weaving across lanes, or going crazy slow or fast, and then noticed that they were paying attention to […]
Those of us over 40 who fondly remember “Schoolhouse Rock” have some basic idea of how a bill becomes a law. “I’m just a bill, sitting here on Capital Hill….” Remember that guy? If you […]
Most of us have heard the phrase “garnish your wages” and have some vague idea about what that means. You probably know it has something to do with someone taking your paycheck from you, but […]
The world seems to be changing faster and faster as technology makes its leaps and bounds. The law, which is not designed for quick action (remember: the mascot of the United States Supreme Court is […]
If a tree falls in the yard, whose problem is it? More to the point, whose homeowner’s insurance has to cover the damage? The answer, as in most things legal, is, “Depends.” Generally speaking, the […]
When you think of Courtrooms, either in real life or on television, you always picture a court reporter in the room. The court reporter is the person whose job it is to accurately take down […]
When you think of the term “farm vehicle,” what do you think of? Tractors, maybe, or combines. But not your garden variety ATV or four-wheeler. Yet the Georgia Code has a different idea about what’s […]
The recent false alarm in Hawaii, in which everyone was told that a ballistic missile was on its way and people should take shelter, made me think of the phrase “Shouting ‘fire’ in a crowded […]
Often when we have to sign an important document, we have to have it signed in front of a Notary Public, or a “Notary.” What does this mean? Why do you have to do this? […]
The law is full of little Latin phrases, some of which are handy shorthand in every day life. Following is a list of some of the most common and/or some of my favorites. Per Stirpes/Per […]
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