Macon Personal Injury And Criminal Defense Law Blog

Financial literacy is important during divorce

On behalf of Noland Law Firm, LLC on Thursday, January 16, 2020.

Any change in life can be difficult to handle. Even if you know a change is coming, you may not know the best way to tackle the obstacles that may come with it. For example, you know that you are getting a divorce, but you do not know how the process will affect your assets and financial affairs. Understandably, you may feel a bit apprehensive.

Luckily, you do not have to go into the divorce process blindly or wait for a judge to tell you what will happen with your assets. Georgia is an equitable division state, which means that the courts divide marital property as fairly as possible. However, that does not mean that you cannot take steps to protect your assets before and during your proceedings.

Criminal defense: 2 men accused of identity theft

On behalf of Noland Law Firm, LLC posted in criminal defense on Monday, January 6, 2020.

Many people in Georgia may assume that certain non-violent crimes don't come with harsh punishment, since no one is physically hurt. However, when it comes to white collar crime, those convicted could face significant jail time or fines, or even see their personal and professional reputations negatively impacted. Those accused of white collar crimes, such as fraud or identity theft, need a solid criminal defense strategy. This is what two different men may need in order to deal with the charges of identity theft that they currently face.

Both men stand accused of using fake IDs to steal cash from multiple bank branches in one Georgia county. Their crimes appear to be unrelated, despite happening around the same time. The first man allegedly stole nearly $50,000 in the spring of last year before being arrested last month.

Criminal defense: How does probation work?

On behalf of Noland Law Firm, LLC posted in criminal defense on Monday, December 23, 2019.

Probation and parole are two features of the correctional system in the United States that are often confused by people in Georgia and elsewhere. Parole is typically granted after a period of incarceration while probation provides the opportunity for convicted offenders to escape serving part or all of a jail sentence. The latter is often sought after by legal counsel as part of the criminal defense proceedings because it will allow those offenders to continue living in their communities.

When the judge includes a period of probation in a sentence, restrictions will be specified. The state-administered probation agency will provide supervision of probationers, to ensure that court-ordered restrictions are followed. Noncompliance with conditions could lead to probation being revoked. When the court orders active supervision, the probationer will be required to report to the agency as ordered.

Many personal injury hazards might exist at a friend's house

On behalf of Noland Law Firm, LLC posted in personal injury on Tuesday, December 10, 2019.

Accidents can happen anywhere and at any time. Chances of suffering a personal injury during the holidays in Georgia are increased if there are snow and ice on walkways. How would one handle the medical expenses and other damages if such injuries resulted from a slip-and-fall incident at a friend's home?

It would only be natural to think twice before seeking to hold a friend responsible for the injuries. However, most homeowners have insurance that cover the damages of a victim of such an accident, and the insurance will likely cover any damages that are awarded. Homeowners must address all hazards or unsafe conditions on their properties, failing which they might be liable for damages should anyone be injured.

Car accidents: Police say DUI driver caused fatal crash

On behalf of Noland Law Firm, LLC posted in car accidents on Monday, November 25, 2019.

Losing a 17-year-old child is devastating. Discovering that the death was caused by a drunk driver only exacerbates the heartache. The lives of teenagers in Georgia and other states are lost in preventable car accidents. Sadly, these senseless deaths will continue to occur, especially with approaching holidays that often include parties where alcohol is served.

Such a tragedy claimed the life of a 17-year-old student of a Georgia high school. According to the Georgia State Patrol, the accident occurred on a recent Thursday morning shortly before 8 a.m. Reportedly the student was driving a pickup truck, along with two 15-year-old passengers -- his brother and a cousin.

Attending holiday gatherings while your marriage is ending

On behalf of Noland Law Firm, LLC on Sunday, November 17, 2019.

Your marriage is over, for all intents and purposes. Nevertheless, you and your spouse have agreed to wait until after the holidays to officially start the process to divorce. While this may have seemed like a reasonable decision at the time, you now realize you have to slog through the holidays like a happily married couple to avoid ruining the festive joy for everyone else.

This may seem like an impossible task, especially if you are starting to feel like you just want the whole thing to be over so you can get on with your life. Still, there are some things you can do so this holiday season is not a stressful and frustrating time for you and everyone around you.

How does Own Recognizance Release work?

On behalf of Noland Law Firm, LLC posted in criminal defense on Sunday, November 10, 2019.

In some criminal cases nationwide, including Georgia, individuals charged with a crime could be released on their own recognizance. Instead of having to pay bail or post bond, O.R. allows the accused individual to remain free until his or her next court appearance. When a criminal defense attorney suggests own recognizance release, the court typically considers specific aspects of the alleged crime.

Along with the severity of the charges, the judge will consider the criminal record of the defendant and any dangers the release would pose to the public. Employment and ties to the community and family will also be considered. If O.R. is granted, the accused might be ordered not to leave the area, and to report to the court at predetermined intervals until the charges are resolved.

Truck accidents: 2 big rig drivers injured in crash

On behalf of Noland Law Firm, LLC posted in truck accidents on Monday, October 28, 2019.

The Georgia State Patrol reported an incident that sent two big-rig operators to hospitals. As with many truck accidents, cargo loads were spilled, blocking all the traffic lanes of Interstate 20. GSP says the crash, which was initially believed to have resulted in a fatality, occurred on a recent Friday.

According to a preliminary accident report, one truck was parked in the striped area between the travel lanes and the exit lane. When a second tractor-trailer attempted to enter the exit lane, his vehicle struck the stationary truck's rear end. The impact was enormous, causing the chassis and body of the truck that was hit to separate.

Car accidents: Hit-and-run crash sends 1 to the hospital

On behalf of Noland Law Firm, LLC posted in car accidents on Monday, October 14, 2019.

Leaving the scene of a crash causes problems for the driver and any injured victims. A 38-year-old man was left behind after an alleged drunk driver smashed into his vehicle in Georgia and then drove away. Such car accidents can leave victims with financial and emotional damages if hit-and-run drivers remain at large.

Fortunately, in most cases, law enforcement catches up with hit-and-run drivers. In this case, it was the actions of a Good Samaritan that led to the driver's arrest. According to a preliminary crash report, a 29-year-old driver and two passengers were traveling in an SUV in West Macon at about 5:30 p.m. on a recent Monday. Their vehicle collided with the other car and left the scene.

Bicyclists face highest risks if involved in car accidents

On behalf of Noland Law Firm, LLC posted in car accidents on Tuesday, October 1, 2019.

Every time bicyclists take to the Georgia roads, they put their lives on the line. Even if they wear helmets, the lack of protection typically leaves cyclists severely injured or dead if they are involved in car accidents. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about 467,000 bicyclists were injured in crashes in 2015, and more than 1,000 lost their lives nationwide.

Statistics show that most bicycle-related deaths occur in the age group 50 to 59 years, while most of the nonfatal injuries happen to children and adolescents between five and 14 years old. They also report that more males than females are injured and killed in bicycle accidents, and most fatal bicycle accidents happen in urban areas, but not in intersections. Almost 40% of cyclist deaths involved alcohol impairment of either riders or vehicle operators.