ALCOHOL - UNDERAGE POSSESSION OF ALCOHOL
If you are under 21 and have been charged with an offense involving alcohol you need an attorney who will take an aggressive and proactive approach to resolving your case and protecting your ability to drive.
Specifically, it is unlawful for anyone under 21 to:
• Purchase, attempt to purchase, or possess any alcoholic beverage;
• Possess alcohol while operating a motor vehicle;
• Misrepresent your age in order to obtain an alcoholic beverage;
• Help someone else under 21 obtain an alcoholic beverage;
• Use a fake ID to get an alcoholic beverage.
SENTENCE
If you are convicted for any of these offenses it is possible that you could be sentenced to as much as 6 months of jail time or supervised probation and ordered to pay a $300.00 fine.
You could also be ordered to complete the DUI Alcohol or Drug Use Risk Reduction Program and if you fail to do so could, you could be subjected to contempt proceedings and punished by additional fines or jail time. O.C.G.A. §3-3-23.1(f).
EFFECT ON LICENSE
A plea of guilty or nolo contendere will result in a mandatory 6 months suspension of your driver’s license (12 months suspension for a second conviction). O.C.G.A. §3-3-23.1(b). Importantly, no limited permit is available during this suspension period, not even for work or school. However, after the suspension period you can apply to have your license reinstated after you complete pay a reinstatement fee. O.C.G.A. §40-5-57.1(a) and (d).
HOW I CAN HELP
Do Not resolve this type of case without speaking with me. I have handled many cases such as this throughout the metro area and I am confident in my ability to resolve your case in a way that protects your interests and your ability to drive.
MARIJUANA - POSSESSION OF LESS THAN ONE OUNCE
In Georgia, there are serious penalties associated with a conviction for possessing marijuana. If you have been charged with possessing less than an ounce of marijuana take this charge seriously and call James to help you with your case.
SENTENCE
A conviction for this offense carries a sentence of up to 12 months which could include jail time followed by lengthy probation supervision requirements; payment of fines; loss of your driver’s license and the stigma of having a criminal record which can affect your job or ability to find a job. O.C.G.A. §§16-13-30(j)(1) and 16-13-2(b).
EFFECT ON LICENSE
It is important to know that a plea of guilty or nolo contendere will result in a mandatory suspension of your driver’s license for six months and you could be ordered to complete the DUI Alcohol or Drug Use Risk Reduction Program. Importantly, no limited permit is available during this suspension period, not even for work or school. However, after the suspension period you can apply to have your license reinstated after you complete pay a reinstatement fee. O.C.G.A. §40-5-75(a), (c)(1) and (e).
HOW I CAN HELP
Do Not resolve this type of case without speaking with me. I have handled many cases involving this charge and I am confident in my ability to resolve your case in a way that protects your interests, your ability to drive and hopefully avoids a criminal conviction on your record.
THEFT BY SHOPLIFITNG (MISDEMEANOR)
If you have been charged with shoplifting you absolutely need a skillful and experienced attorney to fight the charge and protect your future. In today’s difficult economic climate a conviction for any theft offense, particularly shoplifting, can dramatically affect your job or ability to find a job.
SENTENCE
In Georgia, when the value of the merchandise involved is $300.00 or less a conviction for shoplifting is punishable by up to one year in jail or supervised probation and a $1,000.00 fine. Also, merchants typically try to subject you to a $150.00 civil penalty as a result of the incident. Even worse, the conviction will be reported on your personal criminal history and the conviction will have to be disclosed on every job application you complete and will make it extremely difficult to find or keep a job. Do Not pay the civil penalty or resolve the criminal case without talking with me.
HOW I CAN HELP
I will aggressively challenge any theft charge against you and will do everything possible to protect your legal rights and resolve the case in your favor. I understand how the prosecutors handle these cases. In some instances the case can be handled in a way that results in the charge against you being dismissed and then being completely removed from your record. Each case is different so we should discuss the circumstances of your particular situation to determine the best way to resolve your case.
