Marijuana, Marriage, Minors and more
In Georgia, at what age can a person legally marry with parental consent?
What is 17 years old?
If you are under 18 years old in Georgia, what must you hold before driving alone?
What is a Class D provisional driver's license?
Enough evidence or not? Alcohol on the breath is enough evidence to charge a person under 21 with possession of alcohol.
In the state of Georgia, alcohol on the breath alone is not enough evidence to charge someone under 21 with possession of alcohol. However, it can be an indicator that a person may have consumed alcohol, and law enforcement may use this as part of their investigation.
What is the minimum age in Georgia for a person to legally drive without a permit or provisional license?
What is 18 years old?
Misdemeanor or felony? Person A, a 16-year-old, posts threatening messages on social media directed at their 15-year-old sibling, saying they will harm them when they get home. What type of charge could Person A face in Georgia, and is it a misdemeanor or felony?
Person A could be charged with terroristic threats under O.C.G.A. § 16-11-37. This offense occurs when someone threatens to commit violence against another person, and it is a felony in Georgia. The penalties for a felony terroristic threat can include up to 5 years in prison.
In Georgia, if you are a minor and caught with alcohol, what is the minimum penalty you can face?
What is a fine of up to $300 and/or up to 6 months in jail?
Crime or circumstance? A 19 year old college student uses a fake driver's license with the government logo of the state of Georgia to rent a car for a weekend excursion. The student drives to a liquor store and uses the fake ID to purchase alcohol.
In this scenario, the 19-year-old college student could face multiple charges:
The severity of the penalties depends on factors such as whether the person has prior offenses and whether the fake ID is determined to be for a fraudulent or criminal purpose.
What type of offense is "shoplifting" if the value of stolen goods is under $500 in Georgia?
What is a misdemeanor?
What is the maximum jail time a juvenile can face for a misdemeanor conviction in Georgia?
What is 12 months in a juvenile detention center?
Person B, a 17-year-old, sends repeated abusive and degrading messages to their ex-boyfriend on social media, including threats of physical harm. The messages cause the ex-boyfriend emotional distress. What crime could Person B face, and is it a misdemeanor or felony in Georgia?
Person B could be charged with stalking (family violence) under O.C.G.A. § 16-5-90. This offense involves following, contacting, or harassing someone in a way that causes emotional distress. Since it’s categorized under family violence, the charge is a felony if there is a pattern of behavior or a history of violence. The penalty could include 1 to 10 years in prison.
If a minor in Georgia is caught driving without a license, what is the penalty they may face?
What is a fine up to $1,000 and/or up to 12 months in jail, plus possible suspension of driving privileges?
Person B, 18 years old, provides their friend who is 16 years old with a fake ID to buy alcohol. What crime has Person B committed, and what is the potential penalty in Georgia?
Person B has committed the crime of furnishing a false ID and possibly unlawful furnishing of alcohol to a minor. Person B could face misdemeanor charges, including a fine up to $1,000, up to 1 year in jail, and community service.
In Georgia, if a 17-year-old commits a crime, can they be tried in juvenile court?
What is being tried as an adult in criminal court?
Misdemeanor or felony? Person A, a 17-year-old, gets into a heated argument with their parent and, in the heat of the moment, pushes the parent, causing minor injury. What type of charge could Person A face in Georgia, and is it a misdemeanor or felony?
Person A could be charged with simple battery under Georgia's family violence laws (O.C.G.A. § 19-13-1). This is generally considered a misdemeanor unless there are aggravating circumstances, such as a prior history of family violence or more severe injuries, which could elevate the charge.
Person C, a 17-year-old, posts a video on social media showing them physically attacking their sibling during an argument, which goes viral. What charge could Person C face, and is it a misdemeanor or felony in Georgia?
Person A, who is 16, is pulled over by the police and found to be driving without a valid license. What type of charge could Person A face in Georgia, and what might the penalties be?
Person A could be charged with driving without a license, which is typically a misdemeanor in Georgia. The penalties may include a fine up to $1,000, possible jail time up to 12 months, and a suspension of driving privileges.
Juvenile Court or Adult Court? Person A is 16 years old and is convicted of shoplifting video games worth under $500. Person A will be prosecuted in juvenile court for a delinquent act. If Person A is 17 years old and is convicted of shoplifting video games worth under $500, can Person A be prosecuted as an adult for a crime?
If Person A is 17 years old, they will be prosecuted as an adult for shoplifting video games worth under $500, as Georgia treats anyone 17 and older as an adult for criminal matters. If Person A were 16, they would be prosecuted in juvenile court for the delinquent act of shoplifting.
Is this a misunderstanding or a crime? If you are under 21 years old and provide alcohol to someone under 21 years old, can you be charged with the crime of unlawful furnishing of alcohol to a minor?
Yes, you can be charged with the crime of unlawful furnishing of alcohol to a minor.
Misdemeanor or felony? Person B, a 16-year-old, strikes their parent during an argument, resulting in the parent needing medical attention for bruises and swelling. What type of charge could Person B face, and is it a misdemeanor or felony in Georgia?
Person B could be charged with battery (family violence) under O.C.G.A. § 16-5-23.1. This charge involves intentionally causing harm to a family member and is typically classified as a felony if there is serious injury, or a misdemeanor if the injuries are minor. If the teenager has a history of family violence, the charge may be enhanced.
PART-2: In the previous example to continue the scenario- In the state of Georgia...continuing the scenario from above...Who can be charged with felony murder after the robbery? Person A accidentally hits a pedestrian with the car when leaving the convenience store, and the pedestrian dies. Are Persons A, B, C, and D guilty of felony murder, even though Person A was driving and none of the people involved planned on hurting anyone in the robbery?
Yes, all four individuals (Persons A, B, C, and D) can be charged with felony murder under Georgia law. The death of the pedestrian, occurring during the commission of the armed robbery, qualifies as a felony murder, and Georgia law holds all participants in the felony responsible, regardless of intent or direct involvement in the death.
Person A, who is 17 years old, shares a joint with a friend on school property on a summer night when school is not in session. Person A is arrested by the police and charged with two crimes: distributing marijuana (a felony or misdemeanor with punishment of 1 to 10 years in prison) and distributing marijuana within a school safety zone (a felony or misdemeanor with punishment up to 20 years in prison). Prior to Person A's arrest, Person A did not know that sharing a joint with a friend on school property violated two separate Georgia laws. Person A cannot use ignorance of the law as defense.
Even though school was not in session at the time, the law applies to school property, meaning that distributing marijuana within the safety zone (even during summer break or when school is not in session) is a serious offense with harsher penalties.
3. Statutory rape or misunderstanding? Explain.
Person A is 17 years old. Person B is actually 15 years old, though they told Person A that they were 16. Person A believed Person B was 16 and looked at least 16 years old. Person A has sexual intercourse with Person B. Person B is actually, 15 years old. Is Person A is guilty of statutory rape?
Yes, Person A is guilty of statutory rape under Georgia law. The law does not allow a defense based on the mistaken belief about the victim’s age, and since Person B was under 16, the law deems the act as statutory rape regardless of any misunderstanding about their age.
Is this a felony, or misdemeanor? Explain. Person A has a valid prescription for Tylenol III. While at school during a lunch break, Person A gives one Tylenol III pill to Person B who is not feeling well . Person A is guilty of distributing a Schedule III drug, which is a crime. Prior to Person A's arrest, Person A does not know that Tylenol III is a Schedule III drug or that giving a Schedule III drug to another person is a crime. Person A cannot use ignorance of the law as a defense.
This is a felony offense. Even though Person A had a valid prescription for Tylenol III, sharing it with another person (Person B) without proper authorization or medical justification is considered distributing a controlled substance, which is a felony in Georgia.
If convicted, Person A could face serious legal consequences, which could include prison time. The specific penalties can vary depending on the circumstances, but the distribution of a controlled substance without authorization is typically treated as a felony, potentially carrying several years of prison time.
Is it a right or against the law? Person A is standing on a street corner in the middle of the afternoon when a police officer approaches and asks if the officer can look inside Person A's book bag. Is it Person A's right to refuse the search, or can the officer search the bag without consent?
Yes, Person A (16 years old) has the right to refuse the search of their book bag in Georgia, as long as the officer does not have a warrant or probable cause. If the officer continues to search without consent, it may be an unlawful search, and Person A should calmly assert their right to refuse and, if necessary, speak with a trusted adult or attorney later.
PART-1: Is everyone guilty or not everyone is guilty? Persons A, B, C, and D, who are 17 years old, plan an armed robbery of a convenience store. Person A drives the car Person B stands look out at the door, Person C, holds the gun and demands the money from the cashier, and Person D stays home and waits for Persons A, B, and C to return with the money.
All four individuals (Persons A, B, C, and D) are guilty of armed robbery under Georgia law.
In Georgia, the law holds all participants in a robbery accountable, whether they are directly involved in the theft or merely aiding in the crime.