Georgia Personal Injury & Criminal Defense Lawyer Blog

Make Sure You’re Prepared for a DUI Stop

Published on: July 6, 2020 | by Don Turner Legal Team

DUI-Sign-300x300 Many of us have misconceptions about what you should and should not do when you are pulled over for driving under the influence (DUI). A DUI is a serious offense and can have a severe long-term impact on your life if you are convicted. Knowing your rights when you are stopped for DUI could help lower your chances of facing a life-changing criminal conviction. If you have been charged with driving under the influence, contact the Don Turner Legal Team today for a free consultation. Our attorneys are standing by to help and can offer both virtual and in-person consultations.

If You are Stopped for DUI, Always…

Know your limits: If you feel that you are too intoxicated to drive, do not attempt to get behind the wheel. Instead, call a taxi or use a rideshare service like Uber or Lyft, which you can download onto your phone for free. Twenty dollars for a ride home is nothing compared to the thousands of dollars you will owe if you are convicted of driving under the influence.

Could We See Marijuana Decriminalized in Georgia?

Published on: July 1, 2020 | by Don Turner Legal Team

decriminalize-marijuana-2_waifu2x_art_noise2_scale_tta_1-300x166 Georgia has always had strict laws when it comes to the use of cannabis. However, the Peach State has made noticeable strides with cannabis laws in the past few years. In 2015, it became legal for Georgia citizens with Low THC Registry Cards to possess medical marijuana oil, while hemp and CBD products with less than 3% THC are legal to sell and possess as of 2019. Now a bill has been introduced to the Senate which includes a proposal to decriminalize marijuana throughout Georgia. Contact the Don Turner Legal Team if you have any questions about Georgia’s cannabis laws.

What is Marijuana Decriminalization?

Marijuana decriminalization is not to be confused with marijuana legalization. Decriminalization occurs when a state repeals or amends laws so that certain acts, while still considered criminal, are no longer subject to prosecution. As of this writing, recreational cannabis is not legal anywhere in Georgia, although possession of small amounts has been decriminalized in select cities and counties. You will still face some penalties if you are caught with a small amount of marijuana in these cities and counties. However, the consequences are less severe than they would be in the rest of Georgia.

High Times for Medical Marijuana in Georgia

Published on: June 25, 2020 | by Don Turner Legal Team

cannabis-card-300x192 Georgia has been historically resistant to any kind of marijuana legalization. However, recent laws could make it easier to obtain low THC cannabis oil for medical use, in response to a steadily growing demand in Georgia. At this writing, over 14,000 Georgians have permission to purchase low THC cannabis products – that is a 50 percent increase from last year. Although medical marijuana oil is becoming more prevalent in Georgia, registering to possess it can be tricky, and there are legal issues you need to be aware of. Contact the Don Turner Legal Team today if you have any questions about how to register for a medical marijuana card or the status of Georgia’s medical marijuana laws.

Hemp vs. Medical Marijuana – What’s the Difference?

Georgia’s Hemp Farming Act has made it legal to purchase products containing cannabidiol or CBD, a chemical which has a number of purported health effects, as long as they contain less than 3% tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC, the chemical responsible for the “high” caused by smoking cannabis. Medical marijuana is sometimes confused with hemp since they have similar health benefits. However, they are not interchangeable, and it is important to know the difference.

How COVID-19 Could Change the Legal System Forever

Published on: June 19, 2020 | by Don Turner Legal Team

ezgif-300x199 On March 14, 2020 Chief Justice Harold D. Melton signed a judicial emergency order suspending all non-essential court functions due to the novel coronavirus, or COVID-19 pandemic. This order was recently extended through July 12, although judges are allowed to use their discretion on how to proceed when it comes to resuming in-person operations. This judicial emergency order has not stopped courts and law firms from successfully conducting their operations remotely, which could lead to permanent changes in our legal system. Our law office is no exception to this rule. Contact the Don Turner Legal Team today and see what kind of virtual accommodations we can offer our clients.

Attending Court from Your Living Room

Although businesses in Georgia are gradually opening back up, many Americans remain concerned about possible exposure to COVID-19. But while you have the option of getting your hair cut at home or ordering takeout instead of going to a restaurant, attending court is an entirely different story. You must show up for your court hearing or face consequences. At the same time, social distancing remains a concern for clients and court staff alike. So, how do you make sure the justice system proceeds smoothly while continuing to adhere to social distancing measures?

Does Georgia Have a “One Bite Rule” for Dog Attack Claims?

Published on: June 11, 2020 | by Don Turner Legal Team

sjm-l-frijoan-1122-01_70429004-300x200 For many of us, a dog is man’s best friend. So what should you do when someone else’s dog injures you or someone you love? Georgia has one of the highest rates of dog bite injury claims in the United States, and many of these injuries will require medical care. In order to ensure you get the compensation you deserve for your dog attack injuries, you will need to establish legal liability on the part of the animal’s owner. That is why it’s important to know the laws surrounding dog bite claims in Georgia. If you or a loved one was bitten or otherwise injured by another person’s dog, contact the Don Turner Legal Team today and see how we can help you pursue your personal injury case.

What is the “One Bite Rule”?

Many states have a “one bite rule” for dog attack-related personal injury claims. Dogs are considered harmless until proven dangerous under most state laws. Under the “one bite rule” a dog cannot be considered dangerous unless it has bitten a person before, and the owner probably knew about this. When the dog bites another person, then the dog is considered dangerous, which means the owner is responsible for any damages that arise from this second bite. Essentially, the dog gets one free bite before the owner can be held liable.

Why Do Some Motorcycles Have a Very Loud Exhaust? To Annoy or Protect?

Published on: June 5, 2020 | by Don Turner Legal Team

PKL-Motorcycle-Accidents-01-1500x1000-900x600-1-300x200 Everyone knows that wearing a helmet as a motorcyclist is an essential safety measure – in fact, the state of Georgia legally requires motorcycle riders to wear a helmet. But if you are not a biker, you might be surprised to know that a motorcycle’s loud exhaust pipes are also a safety measure! The road can be a dangerous place for motorcyclists, and a rider whose bike is too quiet is in even more danger of being struck by a motorist who did not notice them. Make sure you are protected as a motorcycle rider by downloading a copy of Ride Ready. And if you have been involved in a motorcycle accident, contact the Don Turner Legal Team today for a free virtual consultation.

Protection Doesn’t Stop with a Helmet

What is a Negligent Security Case?

Published on: May 29, 2020 | by Don Turner Legal Team

negligent-security1-300x200-1 All property owners have a duty to maintain a safe, hazard-free environment for anyone invited onto their property. If someone lawfully on the premises is injured by their failure to uphold this duty, then the injured party may have grounds to sue for damages. This duty to keep the property safe extends to any criminal activity on the premises. If you were injured in a act of criminal violence, and the property owner could have prevented this with proper security measures, you may be entitled to compensation. Contact the Don Turner Legal Team for a free virtual consultation and see how we can help you with your personal injury case.

Elements of a Negligent Security Case

Negligent security is a form of premises liability – a legal theory staring that property owners are responsible for any accidents or injuries that occur on their property. Premises liability covers a wide variety of areas, including slip and fall cases, swimming pool accidents, and accidents caused by structural defects or poor maintenance. All premises liability cases involve a property owner failing to address or warn about dangerous conditions on their property that they either knew or should have reasonably known about. Negligent security is no exception to this rule.

Let Freedom Ring and the Roads Be Safe #GodBlessAmerica

Published on: May 23, 2020 | by Don Turner Legal Team

IMG_13331-1-179x300 Today is the start of Memorial Day Weekend, a time many Americans have been looking forward to. Many of us will be returning to the roads after weeks spent in lockdown due to COVID-19. Unfortunately, many people engaging in Memorial Day festivities will be consuming plenty of alcohol, which means plenty of people driving under the influence. Police are counting on plenty of intoxicated drivers this weekend and are ready to make DUI-related arrests. If you are stopped by law enforcement while driving under the influence, you could end up paying a very steep price, even if this is just your first DUI. If you have been arrested for driving under the influence, contact the Don Turner Legal Team for a free virtual consultation.

Police are advising people who plan to celebrate with alcohol this Memorial Day Weekend to plan a sober ride home or take advantage of rideshares, such as Lyft or Uber. This is advice you need to listen to, even if you do not think you are too impaired to operate your motor vehicle. The National Safety Council estimates that 366 people will die on the roads this Memorial Day Weekend. Many of these deaths will be caused by drunk driving, one of the leading causes of fatal accidents in the United States.

In fact, of the 397 people who died over Memorial Day Weekend in 2010, 40 percent of these fatalities were alcohol related. In fact, the period between Memorial Day and Labor Day is considered the “100 deadliest days of driving”. This period of time is especially deadly for teen motorists, who have been consuming alcohol earlier and earlier in recent years.

Are You Excited to Get Back on the Roads Again? Do You Have the Right Protection?

Published on: May 22, 2020 | by Don Turner Legal Team

IMG_13121-300x157 You want to make sure your auto insurance policy adequately protects you and your family in case you are in a collision. More specifically, make sure you have uninsured and underinsured motorists coverage. Over 1.16 million people in the Georgia drive without any kind of liability insurance, and still more only carry the minimum possible coverage of $25,000.00. Our attorneys can help you make sure that you and your family have the protection you need in the event of an auto accident. Contact the Don Turner Legal Team today for a free virtual auto insurance audit.

There is a good chance that any driver you get into a collision with will be uninsured or underinsured. You need to be prepared for this possibility. If the other driver lacks liability insurance or only carries the bare minimum liability coverage, you will not be able to rely on their insurance company to cover your damages or medical expenses. Without uninsured and underinsured motorists coverage, you will have to go through your insurance company or sue the other driver. And if the other driver cannot afford a proper amount of insurance coverage, they likely will not be able to afford to pay damages.

Fortunately, uninsured and underinsured motorists insurance can keep this from becoming an issue. Uninsured motorists coverage will typically help you pay for any property damage or medical bills that result from a collision caused by an uninsured driver, while underinsured motorists coverage will also help cover any bodily injuries you might suffer due to a collision with an underinsured driver. Better yet, adding this coverage to your policy is not expensive at all – on average, it will only cost you 10 to 20 dollars a month.

SAD FACT: Domestic Violence Has Risen Worldwide Since COVID-19

Published on: May 15, 2020 | by Don Turner Legal Team

Screen-Sh1-300x201 It has been several months since the novel coronavirus, or COVID-19 first surfaced in America and multiple states issued stay at home orders. While these lockdown measures were meant to protect people, they have endangered many victims of domestic violence by forcing them to shelter with their abuser. Fortunately, victims can petition the courts for a total protective order, and courts will still hold TPO hearings, despite being closed for most matters until June 12. If you are facing domestic violence, contact the Don Turner Legal Team to confidentially discuss your case.

Americans have been encouraged to practice various social distancing measures in order to halt the spread of COVID-19. This has included encouraging citizens to remain in their homes whenever possible. Sadly, this has made homes a more dangerous place for many victims of domestic abuse. The stress caused by the pandemic has increased tensions in abusive households. Stay at home orders have left victims with less privacy, making them reluctant to contact domestic abuse hotlines. Abusers may further discourage their victims seeking help through the abuse of technology.

Anxieties caused by COVID-19 have left many victims more willing to remain with their abuser than live in a shelter, where they and their children may be exposed to COVID-19. Many shelters are facing health and economic concerns that make it more difficult to take in victims. The pandemic is also a time of widespread unemployment and economic uncertainty for many American. If the abuser is the primary breadwinner, the victim might be more willing to tolerate their abuse than risk the financial consequences of leaving.