Blawg of Attorney Christine M Bechtold

During a visit to a Loganville nail salon, a woman was involved in an acetone fire and received second-degree burns. The Loganville Police Department and Fire Marshal's office were both contacted and are investigating the accident. Loganville Tribune 2/27/11. Although we can never be prepared for every event, it is important to have a plan for when you do find yourself in an accident. See our website for a list of things to do when involved in an accident. http://bechtold-law.com/PersonalInjury.html

Beginning March 1, 2011, the Gwinnett County Records Court is offering traffic citation amnesty for citations that have been outstanding for up to 28 years. ACJ 2/28/11. This amnesty will waive the $25 bench warrant fee and recall the bench warrant when the fines are paid. The Court will also supply the forms to reinstate suspeneded or expired driver's licenses unders some circumstances. This means you can settle your outstanding traffic citation case without additional penalties. This amnesty will not eliminate your required court appearance, so be sure to contact the Court or an attorney before moving forward. Gwinnett Courts. Don't wait on this offer, amnesty ends at the end of March 2011. http://bechtold-law.com/Traffic.html

Not quite. As of January 1, 2011, Gwinnett County Police and other nearby City Police lost their ability to use their radar and laser speed detection devices to catch speeders.  AJC 1/4/11.   The problem is the result of a legal battle over whose tax money will cover public safety issues. While the debate is in court, law enforcement officers are back to using the pacing method to determine a vehicle’s speed. However, “Only two Gwinnett County cities can continue to use radar and laser guns at this point." 11alive 1/5/11.   The City of Loganville Police Department is one of those cities. They can still use radar and laser speed detection devices on Loganville streets because their permit does not expire until the end of 2011. If you find yourself being pulled over by the Police for speeding, be sure to find out how your speed was determined and call our office to discuss your options. www.bechtold-law.com/Traffic.html

Loganville Man Charged in Rape of Teen Girl Did you know that in Georgia any person over the age of seventeen is treated as an adult? In early 2004, the Juvenile Law Committee (JLC) began a project to revise the now forty year old Georgia Juvenile Code. One of JLC's goals is to increase the juvenile age to eighteen in Georgia. Advocates say this could be more costly now, but it would result in savings when more young offenders get proper services and stay out of adult prison. Opponents say this change is not necessary and too costly when the state is already challenged with budget issues.