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

In Georgia, when a couple with children divorces or separates, their child's custody is determined by a judge. Even if both parents agree to custody issues for their child, a Court still needs to approve the custody arrangement. The judge shall look at the best interest of the child to make this decision. But what does that mean? The best interest of the child is a standard that does not focus on the parents, but rather looks forward and attempts to determine the child's best interests now and in the future. In Georgia, the best interest of the child is a statutory list of factors judges may look at when determining custody issues. This list of potential factors includes: the love, affection, bonding, and emotional ties existing between each parent and the child; capacity of the parent; parent's knowledge of the child; parent's ability to provide daily needs for child; parent's home environment (nurture and safety); stability; mental health of parent; physical heal...

The Fourth Amendment to the United States Constitution states, " The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.” U.S. Const. amend. IV . The United State Supreme Court clarified this in their 1968 Terry vs. Ohio decision. They held that the Constitutional Fourth Amendment prohibition on unreasonable searches and seizures is not violated when a police officer stops a suspect on the street and frisks him without probable cause to arrest, if the police officer has a reasonable suspicion that the person has committed, is committing, or is about to commit a crime.  This is often referred to as a Terry Stop and allows the officer to conduct a pat-down to search for weapo...

A Georgia court recently held that "A party may not be held in contempt for violation of a court order unless the order informs him in definite terms as to the duties thereby imposed on him." Morgan v. Morgan, DailyReport S10A1365. This decision was related to a Agreed Domestic Relations Order (ADRO), but the same would hold true for any type of agreement. It is important to have the correct details in writing. Legal contracts and forms can be found all over the internet these days, however they often do not address your specific concerns. Contracts and agreements should be written to your specific issues and can be catered to your needs. Contact The Law Office of Christine M Bechtold to help you with your legal contract. http://www.bechtold-law.com/Contract.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.