Macon Personal Injury And Criminal Defense Law Blog

Truck accidents: GDOT investigating I-75 big-rig accident

On behalf of Noland Law Firm, LLC posted in truck accidents on Monday, March 30, 2020.

All the eastbound traffic lanes of Interstate 75 were closed after a recent accident to allow the Georgia Department of Transportation to complete its investigation. Truck accidents such as this one place the safety of those occupying small vehicles at risk. One person was hospitalized in this crash, which occurred on the Hartley Bridge Road on a recent Friday afternoon.

Reportedly, deputies responded to the accident scene shortly after 3 p.m. after a tractor-trailer damaged the bridge. The load that the truck was hauling included a piece of equipment that was too large to navigate under the bridge safely. Without checking whether the load could pass under the bridge, the driver proceeded to pass through, smashing the equipment into the bridge and causing significant damage.

Criminal defense: Seriousness of misdemeanors underestimated

On behalf of Noland Law Firm, LLC posted in criminal defense on Tuesday, March 17, 2020.

People in Georgia and across the country often underestimate the seriousness of misdemeanors. It is not uncommon to hear people talking about misdemeanors in the same way they talk about white lies. A crime is a crime, and if found guilty, consequences might affect many aspects of the person's future. For that reason, no charge is insignificant enough to deal with without a criminal defense attorney to protect the legal rights of the accused person.

Those who are found guilty of misdemeanors learn that the seriousness of the crime is significant when they receive hefty fines, jail time, community service and/or probation. Moreover, if they fail to comply with even one of the court-ordered conditions, more significant sentences might follow. The maximum jail time for a misdemeanor is 12 months.

Are you worried about your patience when it comes to divorce?

On behalf of Noland Law Firm, LLC on Friday, March 6, 2020.

You may be someone who did not get an excessive amount of patience when it came to personality traits. You do your best to be patient with others, but when you see something that needs to be done or when you want something to move forward, you find yourself getting frustrated and antsy when you have to wait.

You may feel particularly antsy now because you and your spouse have decided to file for divorce. Though you agree that ending the marriage is for the best, you do not see any reason to linger in a relationship that no longer makes you happy. As a result, you want your divorce process to move forward as quickly as possible.

Car accidents: Biker airlifted after 2-vehicle crash in Georgia

On behalf of Noland Law Firm, LLC posted in car accidents on Wednesday, March 4, 2020.

Georgia State Patrol sent the Specialized Collision Reconstruction Team to investigate a recent crash that occurred on Highway 300. In many car accidents, the collision must be reconstructed before questions about fault and negligence can be answered. This incident involved a motorcycle and a truck that was pulling a camper.

A preliminary crash report by GSP indicates that the driver of a truck and camper was eastbound on Highway 32. When that driver reached the intersection with Highway 300, he allegedly turned left without yielding to a northbound motorcycle. The truck pulled directly into the path of the biker.

Personal injury: Slip-and-fall injuries can be debilitating

On behalf of Noland Law Firm, LLC posted in personal injury on Tuesday, February 18, 2020.

Falls could cause long-term health problems, especially for older people. Anyone in Georgia who has to deal with the consequences of a slip-and-fall accident might have to face unanticipated medical expenses and, in many cases, also lost wages. If the negligence of another party caused such an incident, the victim might have grounds to file a personal injury lawsuit.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, one in five falls results in serious bodily injuries. Back injuries, such as herniated discs, can cause pinched nerves and muscle weakness. Even though many back injuries are invisible, they can cause localized pain, muscle spasms and tenderness. Certain movements can exacerbate the pain, causing weakness, tingling and numbness in the legs.

Truck accidents: Fiery crash kills 2 drivers

On behalf of Noland Law Firm, LLC posted in truck accidents on Wednesday, February 5, 2020.

Authorities in Georgia recently reported a fatal crash on Interstate 85 on a recent Saturday morning. Like most truck accidents that also involve passenger vehicles, the occupant in the car had very little chance of surviving. In this case, however, the truck operator also died.

According to police, the accident occurred shortly before 8 a.m. on the northbound side of the interstate. A preliminary accident report indicates that a 31-year-old woman, who was heading north, was stopped due to an earlier collision. While her car was stationary, a massive 8,500-gallon fuel tanker, also northbound, smashed into the rear of her vehicle.

Criminal defense: What is parole and how does it work?

On behalf of Noland Law Firm, LLC posted in criminal defense on Wednesday, January 22, 2020.

Anyone in Georgia who faces criminal charges will know that a conviction might mean incarceration. Retaining the services of a criminal defense attorney can help them understand the criminal justice system and sentencing guidelines. Some questions may involve parole and how it works.

Parole should be regarded as a privilege that could allow a prisoner to spend a portion of his or her sentence living in his or her community, typically after serving a part of the sentence in prison. A prison parole board appointed by the state usually grants parole. Once parole is granted, parolees can live in their communities as long as they comply with certain conditions and terms, one of which is scheduled meetings with a parole officer. Noncompliance can see them back behind bars.

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.