Georgia Criminal Defense Lawyers Blog

Challenging search and seizure regarding drug charges in Georgia

Published on: December 18, 2015 | By Conaway & Strickler, P.C.

When formally accused of illicit drug activity in Georgia, it is advisable to seek legal guidance in the matter. Challenging search and seizure procedures is often effective when defending yourself against drug charges in court. An experienced criminal defense attorney is sometimes able to establish the fact that a violation of personal rights has taken place during or in the aftermath of an arrest.

At Conaway & Strickler, P.C., our legal team’s clear understanding of the law allows us to thoroughly investigate the details of an individual case in order to determine whether law enforcement agents have acted under proper authorization when searching a vehicle or seizing alleged drug paraphernalia during an arrest. In situations in which officers are found to have violated a defendant’s rights, the court is sometimes required to discard the supposed evidence. This may lead to a dismissal of a case.

In addition to search and seizure protocol, it is also important for an attorney to make certain that law enforcement acted lawfully while questioning the accused. Obtaining information through coercion, threats or bribery is illegal. Statements made under duress should be suppressed by the court.

Sex Crimes: Police chase ends in statutory rape charge in Georgia

Published on: November 30, 2015 | By Conaway & Strickler, P.C.

Sex Crimes: There are times in each person’s life when one finds oneself in a less than ideal predicament. Many times this may involve the police, which could mean one will be facing serious legal problems. This is what two men in Georgia now face after recently being arrested for a variety of charges, including statutory rape.

The two men found themselves in a high-speed chase with police one evening in mid-November. It turns out the two suspects had a runaway juvenile with them at the time. The incident started when authorities had learned the runaway girl was traveling with the suspects along the highway. The chase eventually ended with a shootout with police.

Apparently, the two men and the runaway girl decided to ditch the vehicle they were traveling in and attempted to run away from police officers on foot. However, one man was caught by authorities while the girl was shocked by police using a Taser. The other suspect was shot by police officers and was then transported to a local medical facility for treatment.

Drug Charges: Two face marijuana charges in Georgia

Published on: November 18, 2015 | By Conaway & Strickler, P.C.

Drug Charges: Everybody makes mistakes from time to time. This can be especially common among younger adults due to the lack of life experience. Many people make these types of mistakes while they are still college students. It turns out that two college student athletes in Georgia may have recently found themselves in this type of situation, and they are now facing marijuana charges.

The two football players are college freshmen and were arrested in early November. The two college athletes will now be facing misdemeanor charges for marijuana possession. The university is obligated to suspend each of the players for one game, in accordance with university policy. One of the suspects is a linebacker and has played in seven games, while the other suspect is a defensive lineman with prior appearances in two games for the team.

Few details as to how the suspects were allegedly caught with the illicit drugs have been released to the public by authorities. How the authorities obtained evidence implicating the suspects of the alleged crimes can play an important role in the two college athletes’ legal defense strategies. In fact, a strong legal defense strategy has been known to result in criminal charges being dropped or at least to lead to less severe punishments.

White Collar Crimes:Georgia accident leads 2 fraud crimes charges

Published on: November 5, 2015 | By Conaway & Strickler, P.C.

White Collar Crimes: Regardless of the circumstances, being involved in a car accident is never an enjoyable experience. Even if the accident is relatively minor, there will likely be police reports and insurance companies to deal with. Two men in Georgia face additional obstacles after they were involved in a recent accident — they now faces accusations of committing fraud crimes.

The men — a 23-year-old and a 21-year-old — were involved in what appears to be a relatively minor accident on a Georgia interstate. No one was injured in the accident. However, detectives soon realized that one of the men, a 23-year-old, was allegedly wanted in a different county. The details of the warrant in the nearby county are unclear. As a result, a search of the vehicle ensued.

Police claim that they found personal information for people not present in the car. They also claim to have discovered credit cards issued in other people’s names. As a result, both men face multiple counts of identity fraud and other white collar crimes. The older man faces additional charges, including a child restraint violation and a charge of failing to maintain his lane.

3 charged with drug charges after arrest in Georgia

Published on: October 20, 2015 | By Conaway & Strickler, P.C.

Drugs can cause all types of serious problems for an individual. Along with health dangers, possession of illegal drugs can also result in significant legal problems. Three individuals were recently arrested on drug charges in Floyd County.

The three were arrested on Georgia criminal charges related to methamphetamine. A 25-year-old male has been charged with possession of methamphetamine and marijuana. The man, apparently wanted on a fugitive warrant as well, was also charged with distribution and sale of marijuana. Various other criminal charges were also levied against him, according to police reports.

A 22-year-old woman faces charges of possession of methamphetamine as well as purchase, possession, sale and distribution of marijuana. The third person arrested, a 54-year-old man, was charged with felony possession of methamphetamine as well as a misdemeanor for use and possession of objects related to illegal drugs. He and the accused woman were eventually released on bail. The man with the fugitive warrant is currently being held without bond.

Man accused of white collar crimes arrested after six years

Published on: October 8, 2015 | By Conaway & Strickler, P.C.

An incident that began six years ago took a new turn in recent days. A man accused of white collar crimes was apprehended on the Appalachian Trail, which begins in Georgia and stretches toward the Northeast for more than 2,000 miles. The man involved is age 53, and authorities claim that he had embezzled more than $8 million from his former employer.

Representatives from the FBI explained that the when the man in question was accused of stealing from his employer in 2009, he became a suspected fugitive from justice. Agents placed the man under arrest in May 2015, while he was at a festival celebrating the trail he had frequented for the past six years. Many people have said that he had become very well known along the famous hiking trail.

An author of a trail guidebook stated that the man’s image was published in several hikers’ journals and that he regularly corresponded, sending information from his travels that he thought pertinent for the guidebook writer. Before he is said to have fled from authorities, he had worked at a Pepsi-Cola bottling company. It was during that time that his employer accused him of embezzling millions of dollars in funds.

White Collar Crimes: Medicaid insurance fraud charges in Georgia

Published on: September 23, 2015 | By Conaway & Strickler, P.C.

Medical insurance can be complicated for both the patient and the medical provider. This can cause inconsistencies in the reporting of medical services performed by healthcare professionals. However, these inconsistencies can result in serious legal problems, including charges for white collar crimes, for medical providers. One psychologist is learning this the hard way and is now facing Medicaid insurance fraud charges in Georgia.

Prosecutors are accusing the psychologist of fraudulently billing Medicaid for services that were never performed. The Georgia Attorney General’s Office claims that the psychologist billed more than $250,000 worth of fraudulent claims. The psychologist allegedly received payments for the reported services in question between late February 2011 and mid-November 2013.

The authorities have prosecuted the psychologist for white collar crimes based upon the fact that she could not provide proper documentation for the reported services provided to patients during this time period. Medicaid requires medical professionals to maintain documentation for services billed to the program for reimbursement. The defendant was enrolled in a program known as Georgia Medicaid’s Psychological Services Program, which provides counseling for patients younger than 21 years of age that are eligible for Medicaid benefits.

Drug Charges: Drug trafficking charges for 10 pounds of meth

Published on: September 9, 2015 | By Conaway & Strickler, P.C.

Many illegal drugs can be highly detrimental to the health of users. However, illegal drugs can also be harmful to those who sell the drugs as well. Those who are arrested on drug charges can face serious penalties, including significant time behind bars. This is what two men are now facing after being arrested on drug crimes in Georgia.

The arrest happened one afternoon in early September after law enforcement seized over 10 pounds of methamphetamine. The seized illegal drug stash is estimated to be worth approximately $450,000. The two men were arrested around 3:30 p.m. in the parking lot of a shopping center. Apparently, investigators had the two men under surveillance, which enabled them to determine the two suspects would be at that specific location at that particular time.

One of the men had attempted to run away; however, he was caught by authorities after a short chase. The man was apparently barefoot as he was running away from authorities through the parking lot. The chase resulted in the 49-year-old suspect being charged with attempting to run away from officers in additional to various drug and firearm charges. Both men were charged with trafficking methamphetamine.

Sex Crimes: Georgia – running from sex crimes charges arrested

Published on: August 28, 2015 | By Conaway & Strickler, P.C.

Running away from law enforcement is not the situation in which a person would usually like to be. However, many people end up in this predicament, which typically leads to an eventual arrest and serious criminal charges that could come with heavy penalties if a person is convicted. It appears that one man is now dealing with this exact problem and, after extradition to Georgia, will face charges for alleged sex crimes.

Reportedly, the man had been on the run from authorities since early July. The 51-year-old was originally charged with kidnapping, rape and sodomy. The police received a tip regarding the man’s whereabouts in another state. This led the authorities to confront a man who had been a former prison mate of the fugitive.

When asked about the fugitive’s whereabouts, the former prison mate apparently told police he had just given the fugitive a ride to some other location approximately 20 minutes prior. However, investigators say they found the man’s story suspicious and decided to search his home. The search is said to have led police to discover the fugitive in a bedroom in the back of the Texas residence.

Mike Scott arrested on drug charges after traffic stop in Georgia

Published on: August 13, 2015 | By Conaway & Strickler, P.C.

Criminal charges are stressful for anyone. However, facing criminal drug charges can be even more stressful for those in the public eye. This is definitely true for professional athletes who end up being arrested and charged with crimes for one reason or another. One professional basketball player is now facing this situation after being charged with drug crimes in Georgia.

Professional basketball player Mike Scott was arrested after a traffic stop in late July of 2015. Police claim that they found two illegal substances in the basketball player’s vehicle. The police reportedly confiscated 35.2 grams of marijuana, as well as 10.9 grams of ecstasy. Scott’s younger brother was reportedly in the car with him at the time of the arrest.

Now, Scott could be facing significant time in jail. The professional basketball player could end up spending up to 25 years behind bars if he is indeed convicted of both charges. The marijuana charge has the potential to carry as many as 10 years behind bars. Criminal charges related to the ecstasy can result in up to 15 years in prison.