On behalf of Raymond V. Giudice, P.C. posted in Drug Crimes on Friday, May 18, 2012
When we think of drug crimes in the Atlanta area, the recreational use of marijuana or cocaine generally come to mind. Of course, very serious criminal charges are also often levied for harder drugs like methamphetamine or heroine. On Saturday, police made a very unique and interesting major drug seizure in Winder, Georgia.
After what began as a minor hit-and-run accident in a parking lot, police reportedly seized 900 opium plants. A police officer who has been in the field for 13 years said that he had never been involved in a similar case and that police in the area rarely encounter this narcotic.
On behalf of Raymond V. Giudice, P.C. on Friday, May 11, 2012
In our Atlanta Criminal Law Blog, we have frequently made reference to the fact that a criminal conviction can affect a person long after any sentence has been served. In fact, in many cases criminal convictions live on a person's criminal record forever. While we certainly hope that the mistakes of our past do not haunt our future, this is sadly not always the case.
Just recently a 58-year-old Wisconsin woman was fired from her job at Wells Fargo Home Mortgage after her employer learned that she had been arrested for shoplifting twice when she was a teenager--40 years earlier.
On behalf of Raymond V. Giudice, P.C. posted in Drunk Driving on Tuesday, May 1, 2012
Blood alcohol tests are often used to determine whether drivers were over the legal limit while they were behind the wheel of a car. Although the evidence is presented as scientific fact by prosecutors in Atlanta courts, both the humans and the machines that determine the BAC are fallible.
A lab tech's inaccurate reporting of several blood test results has called into controversy approximately 1,700 blood samples that were used in Denver DUI cases. While the lab tech's error occurred in another state, don't even think for a minute that it does not happen in labs across the entire nation.
On behalf of Raymond V. Giudice, P.C. posted in Drug Crimes on Wednesday, April 25, 2012
Last week, a University of Georgia student was charged with possession of marijuana, drug paraphernalia and a fake ID. In an odd turn of events, later that same day the charges were dropped.
The charges were dismissed after it became known that police entered the student's dorm in Creswell Hall without a warrant. Often, charges are not dismissed for reasons like this without the assistance of a criminal defense attorney, which is one reason why it is wise to speak with an attorney as soon as possible after an arrest.
On behalf of Raymond V. Giudice, P.C. posted in Criminal Defense on Monday, April 16, 2012
Back in January in our Atlanta Criminal Law Blog, we wrote about Georgia state's tough criminal law penalties and the fact the lawmakers were considering alternatives to prison time for nonviolent offenders. A criminal justice bill that addresses this issue is currently sitting on the desk of Gov. Nathan Deal, awaiting his signature to make it official.
The bill revises criminal law statutes, reducing sentences for several nonviolent crimes including: small thefts, forgery, burglary and low-level drug convictions. However, the law does not change things for those who have already been sentenced. Those who have already been convicted of a crime will still serve sentences under the laws that were on the books at that time.
On behalf of Raymond V. Giudice, P.C. posted in Criminal Defense on Thursday, April 12, 2012
A complicated sex crimes case in DeKalb County centers around a baby born to a Decatur woman who has since been accused of raping and becoming pregnant by a 15-year-old boy. The age of consent in Georgia is 16.
The woman gave birth to a child in January, weeks before the alleged teenage father turned 16. The young man has undergone DNA testing to determine paternity, but these test results have not yet been released.
On behalf of Raymond V. Giudice, P.C. posted in Criminal Defense on Thursday, April 5, 2012
A Charlotte, Georgia, man was arrested today on accusations of hitting a good Samaritan last summer and driving away. The man's three brothers were arrested as well for allegedly helping to cover up the incident.
The hit-and-run took place last summer in Gwinnett County, Georgia, when a man was trying to push the vehicle of a stranded driver into a gas station parking lot. While pushing the vehicle, he was struck by another car, which then drove off. The good Samaritan lost half of his leg in the accident.
On behalf of Raymond V. Giudice, P.C. posted in Drug Crimes on Thursday, March 29, 2012
Synthetic marijuana, often called "spice" or "K2," is now officially illegal in the state of Georgia after Gov. Nathan Deal signed a bill outlawing the substance Tuesday.
Enforcement of the new drug crime was to begin right away Wednesday, with Atlanta police officers arresting anyone who may be in possession of or selling synthetic marijuana, according to a recent news report.
On behalf of Raymond V. Giudice, P.C. posted in Drunk Driving on Friday, March 23, 2012
Criminal charges of driving drunk in DeKalb County, Georgia, have been dropped against Steelers wide receiver Hines Ward. Ward was pulled over and arrested on suspicion of DUI in July. Under a plea agreement, the DUI charge was dropped and he pleaded guilty to reckless driving. He pleaded no contest to a charge of failure to maintain his lane.
Arresting officers said Ward failed to stay in his own lane and hit a curb before the traffic stop last summer. Their report noted that he failed a field sobriety test and declined to take an alcohol breath test. Although Ward was not prosecuted for DUI, his arrest reminds Atlanta residents that many people make mistakes, and sometimes these falls are damaging to one's reputation no matter the outcome.
On behalf of Raymond V. Giudice, P.C. posted in Drunk Driving on Friday, March 16, 2012
Whether Atlanta residents have ties to the Emerald Isle or not, many will revel this weekend in the illustrious Irish holiday--complete with a Kelly green-tinted beer in hand. St. Patrick's Day is notoriously celebrated in the U.S. as a drinking holiday, and as such it is important to remind Georgia residents to act responsibly this weekend and also to be aware that Atlanta DUI patrols will be ramped up through the weekend.
The consequences of drunk driving convictions are very real, and often include fines, jail time and a revoked driver's license. Often, Atlanta residents think they have no choice but to accept DUI charges and a conviction, but in fact these charges can often be fought successfully on evidentiary and constitutional grounds.
