Blawg of Attorney Christine M Bechtold

Walton County Sheriff’s Office recently found a large amount of illegal drugs in a vehicle on highway 78.  “The deputy stated the tint was so dark there no way to determine if the driver was wearing a seat belt, leading to the belief visibility was less than 32 percent. The deputy turned around and initiated a traffic stop west of Cheek Road. “ Walton Tribune 6/19/2011 . After the traffic stop, the Sheriff’s deputy reported a strong odor and that the driver was breathing heavily and shaking. The driver consented to a search of both his body and his vehicle, during which time the Sheriff’s deputy “reported a strong odor of marijuana emanating from the back of the vehicle. A search of the back of the vehicle revealed two suitcases secured by padlocks.” Walton Tribune 6/19/2011 . The driver then refused consent for the deputy to search the suitcases. However, the deputy obtained legal authority to search the suitcases when the vehicle was later towed to the Sheriff’s office. Wh...

A police blotter is a written record of daily arrests in your area. Although you may be familiar with the blotter format, some of the terminology can be confusing. Georgia’s Criminal Code is defined in O.C.G.A. §§ 17-1-1 – 17-18-2. http://www.lexisnexis.com/hottopics/gacode/ .  A brief explanation of common charges is listed below: ·          Criminal Trespass : intentionally damaging the property of another in the amount of $500 or less; or entering the property of another for an unlawful purpose or without their authorization ·          Theft : taking property from another without their consent o    by Taking: unlawfully taking the property of another o    by Deception: obtaining the property of another by misleading o    by Shoplifting: taking merchandise from a retail establishment o    by Receiving: receiving another person’s property when you know it wa...

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.