Savannah Criminal Defense Legal Blog

A DUI checkpoint mistake can result in an arrest

On behalf of The Lerch Law Firm on Wednesday, October 17, 2018.

As you make your way toward a DUI checkpoint, your stomach may begin to flutter and your hands might begin to sweat. You may experience these nerves even if you're sober, as you never know what will happen when you come face to face with law enforcement.

Of course, if you've had a drink or two, you have even more reason to be nervous. While there's nothing fun about going through a DUI checkpoint, there are tips you can follow to improve your chance of avoiding trouble.

Avoid erratic driving behavior: Now's not the time to swerve all over the road, stop and start suddenly or drive in an aggressive manner. Stay in your lane and slowly move toward the checkpoint.
Don't leave alcohol in plain sight: It goes without saying that an open alcohol container is a big no-no, as this is against the law. However, this also holds true for unopened containers. Even though it's not illegal to transport alcohol, this may give the officer an idea of what you're up to.
Don't talk back: It doesn't matter what the officer says to you, answer their questions honestly and keep your cool. Talking back will cause more harm than good, and could result in your arrest.
Don't complain about your legal rights: It's true that you have legal rights as a driver, but you don't have to share this information with the officer. Many people make the mistake of saying that a DUI checkpoint is illegal, despite the fact that it's not, in most cases.
Avoid an illegal U-turn: You're permitted to turn around as opposed to traveling through a DUI checkpoint. What you're not permitted to do is make an illegal U-turn.

Possession of most illegal drugs in Georgia is a felony offense

On behalf of The Lerch Law Firm on Wednesday, September 19, 2018.

Drug addiction is a serious social concern, with more people overdosing on narcotic prescription drugs and heroin than ever before in recent years. In order to combat addiction, Georgia has maintained very strict laws about the possession of prohibited drugs and controlled substances.

People who get caught in possession of prescription drugs that aren't prescribed to them, such as opioid painkillers, or banned substances, like methamphetamine, will typically face serious criminal consequence.

2 reasons to seriously consider fighting a traffic ticket

On behalf of The Lerch Law Firm on Friday, August 17, 2018.

Many people think of traffic violations or tickets as a basic risk of the road. Quite a few drivers routinely bend or break Georgia traffic laws during their daily commute. Most of the time, they don't end up caught.

Occasionally, law enforcement will happen to observe when someone is driving too quickly or perhaps forgetting to use a blinker: A citation or ticket is likely. You may think that if you're not facing a DUI, it's not worth fighting a traffic infraction in court. However, there are a couple of very good reasons why you might want to push back against the citation you received on the road.

Boating under the influence: How alcohol affects your driving

On behalf of The Lerch Law Firm on Monday, July 23, 2018.

Drinking alcohol has the potential to be more dangerous when you're on the water than on land, partially because there is a high risk of drowning and harming others using shared waterways. There are federal and state laws in place to prevent individuals from driving while intoxicated on the water.

Many people do drink while boating, which is generally legal unless they are over the limit to drive. It's not a good idea to drink any amount of alcohol and drive, though, because alcohol can have a greater impact when on the water.

A criminal conviction can have a serious impact on employment

On behalf of The Lerch Law Firm on Friday, June 22, 2018.

A criminal conviction in Savannah, like in other cities in Georgia or other states, can have lasting effects. Not only can it cost you thousands of dollars in legal fees, court fees and fines, but a conviction can cost you years of your life behind bars. And, after your jail or prison term ends, you could face additional time on probation.

Unfortunately, the effects described above are not the only ways your life will change if a criminal court convicts you of wrongdoing. Your future employment prospects could also severely change after a conviction. In fact, you may learn that finding a job, especially within certain fields and industries, is incredibly difficult.

Income tax fraud vs. negligence: Things you need to know

On behalf of The Lerch Law Firm on Wednesday, May 23, 2018.

As frustrating as it may be, you know you have obligations to pay federal, state and local income taxes.

While it's not always easy to stay current with the tax code, it's always in your best interest to have a basic understanding of how it works and what's required of you to stay in compliance with the law.

Charged with a DUI? Learn more about defense strategies

On behalf of The Lerch Law Firm posted in blog on Tuesday, April 24, 2018.

Even though you understand the dangers of driving under the influence of alcohol, there may come a time when you make a mistake. For example, you could lose track of how many drinks you've consumed. As a result, this increases the likelihood of being arrested for driving under the influence.

DUI charges should always be taken seriously. It doesn't matter if you're a first time offender or you've faced similar trouble in the past, nothing changes the fact that you need to implement a strategy that can help you avoid a conviction.

The coaching of criminal defendants before a trial

On behalf of The Lerch Law Firm posted in blog on Thursday, March 22, 2018.

A successful criminal defense could be just as much about the facts as it is about gaining the trust and/or sympathy of the jury. If a defendant walks into court looking dirty and disheveled, he or she might be as innocent as can be, but the jury could judge him or her based on surface-level factors.

Even though juries and judges are not supposed to make their decisions based on superficial information, it's not uncommon for a jury to be put off by the way a defendant looks, how he or she acts or other factors that -- if properly coached -- the average defendant can change.

Fighting drug possession charges as a student

On behalf of The Lerch Law Firm posted in blog on Thursday, February 22, 2018.

Drug possession charges can drastically affect a student's future opportunities and privileges. Although the tide seems to be turning on public opinion of relatively low-level drugs like marijuana, drug possession charges of any kind are still quite serious and remain among the most heavily punished nonviolent charges available.

If you or someone you love recently received drug possession charges, then you should begin building your defense as soon as you possibly can. The longer you wait, the more time that the prosecution has to build its case against you, and the fewer opportunities you have to defend yourself. An experienced defense attorney can help you look at the charges and the circumstances under which you received them, identifying grounds you have to build your defense and protect your rights.

First offense DUI: Things you need to know

On behalf of The Lerch Law Firm posted in blog on Tuesday, January 30, 2018.

Most people realize that drinking and driving is a big mistake. Even so, many people drink alcohol, get behind the wheel of their car and find themselves in trouble with the police.

There is nothing simple about an arrest for driving under the influence. Even if it's your first offense, you should realize that your charge could eventually lead to a conviction. And if this happens, your life is going to change in many ways.