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Can you say no to the police? Your Constitutional Fourth Amendment Right

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

It is important to have it in writing.

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

charged as adult

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.