DeKalb County Criminal Law Blog

When a crime occurs, especially one that garners media attention, there is often a rush to assign blame and file criminal charges. Unfortunately, this haste can often lead to arrests that are made even if there is not sufficient evidence to support them. In fact, it is unclear what evidence led police to former NBA player James "J.J." Hickson, Jr., prior to his arrest for his alleged involvement in a Georgia robbery.

The incident that led to Hickson's arrest reportedly happened one morning on a day in mid-June. Police say that the former basketball player entered into a Georgia home through a side door. He then, allegedly, attacked a 17-year-old in the home before stealing $100,000.

As many as one in three adults has a criminal record, but no one expects their child to be one of them. It’s been a challenging road, but now, with lessons learned, you’re trying to help your child navigate the consequences of their decision. Having a criminal record in the U.S. means that just about everyone can find out, including current and future employers. With joblessness being a leading cause of recidivism, a change to the law was past due.

In 2013, the state of Georgia decided that it would be awarding fresh starts to some people with criminal records. If eligible, criminal records restrictions, previously called expungement, can seal a criminal history, reducing some of the barriers to success.

Most people in Georgia and across the country have a basic understanding that the U.S. Constitution protects them from certain acts by the government. Despite having this knowledge, they may be unable to recognize and appropriately respond to certain unlawful acts. In fact, two people in Georgia may be wondering about their legal options following their recent arrest on drug charges.

The incident involves a man and a woman, reportedly a teacher in a Georgia school system. Their arrest follows the search of a residence conducted by a drug task force operation. It is unclear what prompted the search of the home.

When drug use is relatively prevalent in an area, law enforcement officials -- both local and federal -- are often desperate to show that they are making progress in the war against drugs. While the desire to get illegal drugs off the streets is understandable, that desire often outweighs the need for evidence to support criminal charges. Unfortunately, 10 people in Georgia now face drug charges due to arrests allegedly made in connection to a drug trafficking operation.

Officials say that local officials as well as those with the Drug Enforcement Administration began an investigation in July 2017 against one of the people recently arrested and his associates. Reports regarding the incident did not clarify what prompted the investigation. However, officials claim that the investigation involved a methamphetamine trafficking operation.