A Georgia DUI arrest happens in stages — from the initial stop to field sobriety testing and chemical testing. This post explains each phase of the process and how a Marietta criminal defense lawyer may challenge DUI evidence for drivers in Cobb, Paulding, and Bartow County.
As the year comes to a close, The Phillips Law Firm shares warm holiday wishes with our clients and community. Watch our holiday video and celebrate the season with us.
Georgia’s pretrial release system can be the difference between fighting your case on your feet or being pressured into a plea from a jail cell. Understanding how judges evaluate risk, how release conditions work, and why early release boosts your defense is crucial—especially in Cobb, Paulding, and Bartow counties, where risk assessments, supervision, and bond decisions vary widely.
In 2015, the Georgia Carry Organization (GCO) took legal action against the Georgia Code Revision Committee after the group failed to include key gun rights provisions from House Bill 826 in the official state code. The case centered on whether Georgia Weapons Carry License (GWCL) holders could legally possess weapons on school grounds under certain conditions. Although the Supreme Court of Georgia ultimately ruled against the GCO, the case emphasized ongoing debates over gun rights, legislative authority, and due process in Georgia. This ruling remains an important milestone in understanding firearms law and constitutional interpretation for Georgia residents and license holders.
The Georgia Court of Appeals affirmed the DeKalb County conviction of Santonio Spratlin, who confessed to robbing a gas station where he was a frequent customer.
Spratlin appealed, arguing that his confession should have been corroborated by additional evidence under O.C.G.A. § 24-8-823, which requires proof beyond a defendant’s own admission.
The Georgia Court of Appeals affirmed the Chatham County conviction of Charles Sapp, who was found guilty of fleeing or attempting to elude a police officer.
The case began when officers observed Sapp leaving the scene of a knife fight and later attempting to evade police as a passenger in a van. When the driver refused to stop, Sapp exited the vehicle, ignored the officer’s commands to halt, and charged toward him before being subdued with a taser.
The Georgia Court of Appeals recently clarified the legal definition of child molestation and what constitutes being “in the presence of” a victim under O.C.G.A. § 16-6-4.
In this case, Jason Prophitt was convicted in Echols Superior Court after spying on his daughter’s friend through a floor vent while she showered. The court found him guilty of child molestation, citing his indecent act involving a minor.
The Georgia Court of Appeals provided important clarification on what constitutes a lawful arrest and articulable suspicion in a recent case involving Michael Williams.
Police received a tip linking Mr. Williams to a theft and approached him for questioning at his home. When informed of the suspicion, Mr. Williams fled the scene, prompting the officer to order him to stop. His failure to comply led to an obstruction of justice charge.
