Georgia Criminal Defense Lawyers Blog

Sex Crimes: Council member in Georgia accused of sex crimes

Published on: October 24, 2016 | By Conaway & Strickler, P.C.

Sex crimes: Serving one’s community in the capacity of a city council member is considered by many to be a worthwhile endeavor. Being accused of criminal wrongdoing while serving on a council, however, may not only ruin a person’s reputation but also cause immediate and long-lasting consequences, even before the court addresses the situation. A 53-year-old man in Georgia is facing such charges for alleged sex crimes he committed with a teenage girl.

The council member is suspected of having had a sexual relationship with a 17-year-old girl. Authorities claim the relationship has been ongoing since the girl was age 13. Her mother is said to have reported the relationship between her daughter and the man to police.

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Drug Charges: Key factors to consider in Georgia

Published on: October 12, 2016 | By Conaway & Strickler, P.C.

The need for skilled and experienced criminal defense assistance is widespread in Georgia and surrounding regions. There are many reasons a person might retain a criminal lawyer. The situation may have something to do with drug charges, weapons violations, suspected driving driving or other issues.

With regard to being accused of illegal drug activity in the state, there have been many situations where persons accused are later found innocent. Many people have dealt with circumstances where they were simply in the wrong place at the wrong time, thus leading to incidents whereby they were mistakenly incriminated. Others have enlisted the help of experienced investigators to determine that their personal rights were actually violated during searches and seizures or arrest processes.

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Drug Charges: DEA agents seeking cooperation

Published on: September 27, 2016 | By Conaway & Strickler, P.C.

Drug Charges: Whether one should answer questions asked by authorities regarding suspected criminal activity is a choice many people in Georgia have had to make. Especially with regard to federal criminal charges, it can be very scary to face investigators and answer questions concerning particular situations. Many defendants choose not to speak on their own behalves; rather, they enlist the assistance of criminal defense attorneys to do their talking for them.

Sometimes, after someone has been arrested and charged with a crime or drug charges, authorities might approach that person, asking for help to further their investigation. This appears to be the case in another state where a man and woman have been arrested and held in jail on suspicion of selling carfentanil, a drug 10,000 times stronger than morphine. Police say they are are hoping the couple will give them information that can lead them to others who may be involved in drug distribution in the area.

When drug-related charges are tried at the federal level, a defendant may face up to life in prison if convicted for certain crimes. Even under a lighter sentence, a person’s entire life may be turned upside down if a criminal trial does not end in his or her favor. This is one of many reasons it is often helpful to secure experienced legal guidance before facing charges in court.

Drug Charges: Police raid Georgia house, find heroin and a monkey

Published on: September 10, 2016 | By Conaway & Strickler, P.C.

Drug Charges: Georgia police often conduct extended investigations when they suspect one or more parties of illicit drug activities. A recent bust occurred after a long surveillance of a Georgia couple. Officers say that in addition to possible heroin, they found some other items as well, including one that came as a surprise.

Officers claim the 58-year-old woman and her 64-year-old husband were in possession of a stolen gun and prescription pills. They also said they found two dogs and a monkey inside the married couple’s home. The spouses were arrested for drug charges and their dogs were placed with a local animal control department.

As for the monkey, reports indicate it was released to the care of a family member. The couple now faces multiple felony drug charges, and they were also charged with receiving stolen goods. Police say they had been closely watching the couple for approximately five years before the recent raid and subsequent arrests took place.

Sex Crimes: Instructor accused of child molestation in Georgia

Published on: August 29, 2016 | By Conaway & Strickler, P.C.

A martial arts instructor in Georgia has been accused of sex crimes. The child molestation allegations have apparently pitted members of the community against one another. Some have rallied around him in defense of his good character and presumed innocence, while others have stated they believe the accusations are true.

The man has reportedly been teaching Taekwondo for at least 30 years. The recent allegations involve claims that he acted inappropriately with a 15-year-old boy at his apartment. The martial arts instructor stated he was merely practicing a particular self-defense move and that absolutely no crime took place.

After word of the recent accusations spread throughout the man’s community, another supposed allegation surfaced. This situation involved a woman who said the same instructor did something inappropriate to her when he was in his twenties and she was his martial arts student. The instructor is currently age 59.

Ryan Lochte and International Extradition 101

Published on: August 23, 2016 | By Conaway & Strickler, P.C.

Ryan Lochte has been front and center in the news this past week, and not for his achievements at the Rio Olympics. Unfortunately, he has learned that social media and statements made exaggerating what occurred has made things quite complicated for Mr. Lochte. Speedo has ended their almost decade long relationship and Mr. Lochte has lost other endorsement deals over what occurred, and its aftermath.

Mr. Lochte has hopefully learned that less is more when it comes to a multitude of things. First, it does appears that perhaps less celebrating that evening would have helped his woes. One witness has been quoted as saying he was “altered”. Second, stating what happened in simple terms with zero embellishing would have drastically improved the situation. Going on social media and talking it about it with Matt Lauer were not good choices. Social media can be very dangerous in cases where criminal charges are contemplated. Less is more should be a mantra that all of us should follow when it comes to public statements which is what social media basically is.

But the biggest question is whether Lochte will be extradited back to Brazil for any of the alleged crimes that may have occured there. If an indivdual is accused of committing a crime in another country, the country where the crime was committed may have a right to require the accused to return back for prosecution. There is an extradition treaty between the United States and Brazil. If there was no treaty in place, then the US would not need to address the issue at all.

Drug Charges: Officers say LSD in car during Georgia traffic stop

Published on: August 18, 2016 | By Conaway & Strickler, P.C.

Drug charges: An incident occurred in Georgia on a recent Thursday that ultimately led to three people being arrested. Apparently, the events unfolded at a checkpoint on the road set up by local law enforcement agents. Authorities say the check station was arranged to check commercial vehicles and to screen motorists for drunk driving and other related impairments. Accusations of drug possession, including LSD, were later made against several occupants of a car.

At some point, an officer stopped a particular car on suspicion that the driver was impaired in some way. It was allegedly later determined that the person behind the wheel was acting under the influence of drugs. The officer reportedly conducted a search of the vehicle.

A narcotics unit was apparently called in to help address the situation. Authorities later announced that they had found substantial amounts of illegal drugs in the car that was searched. In fact, officials say it was the largest hallucinogen drug bust in the county’s history. The officer claims to have had probable cause to search the vehicle, an allegation that may be contested in the coming criminal court proceedings.

Georgia couple facing criminal defense issues

Published on: August 2, 2016 | By Conaway & Strickler, P.C.

Georgia state apparently had arrest warrants issued for two persons who happen to be married to each other. An incident recently occurred that led to accusations against the husband for property damage and other offenses. The encounter reportedly resulted in both husband and wife being placed under arrest and in need of criminal defense.

Allegedly, the spouses, both of whom are age 43, had decided to go for a swim without wearing any clothing. Another woman, age 40, appears to have contacted local law enforcement, saying that she and her friend had become engaged in a dispute with the man at a boating dock. She said she had asked the man if the floating device he was using belonged to him. At that point, she claims the man brandished a knife.

The woman said the man became irate and punched her friend. It seems she and her friend then tried to flee the area in their vehicle; while doing so, she says the belligerent man broke the rear window of the car. Eventually, police arrested the couple after finding them swimming naked in the water. The woman is said to have gone peacefully with the officers, but the man allegedly grew more and more violent as time went on, even threatening the lives of the police officers.

Federal crimes: What to do when facing federal criminal charges

Published on: July 28, 2016 | By Conaway & Strickler, P.C.

Federal Crimes: Being tried in a federal court in Georgia is an obviously serious matter. The thought of facing federal criminal charges can be quite worrisome and stressful for those involved. There are several steps a person can take, however, to help alleviate stress and prepare a thorough defense.

Even before an arrest has taken place, a person under investigation may seek counsel from a criminal attorney. An experienced attorney may be able to offer advice in advance of any arrest or charges that may occur later. If charges have already been filed, an attorney can investigate the situation to determine whether any personal rights were violated in the process.

An experienced attorney knows how to approach even the most challenging situation to build a strong defense and combat any tactics or strategies employed by the prosecution. Protecting a client’s best interests and preserving his or her freedom as much as possible are priorities of a seasoned criminal defense attorney. A person facing potential time in prison if convicted has a lot at stake; it is logical to want to arm oneself with the best defense possible in such situations.

Sex Crimes: Georgia Tech staff member accused of sex crimes

Published on: July 6, 2016 | By Conaway & Strickler, P.C.

A supervisor who was apparently working for Georgia Institute of Technology is now facing criminal charges related to illicit sexual behavior. The man is accused of sex crimes in connection with two supposed incidents that are said to have taken place in a student dormitory. The 52-year-old man was arrested on June 22, 2016.

Two days earlier, an unnamed person accused the supervisor of sexually harassing a female employee. The supposed incidents took place on two separate occasions earlier in June. The defendant was employed as the Senior Director of Housing Facilities Management at the university at the time the alleged acts occurred.

Sex Crimes: A spokesperson for Georgia Tech announced that the man was arrested and charged with sexual battery and aggravated sexual battery. At the time of this writing, he remained in police custody at a county jail. The university has placed him on administrative leave.