From what you see on social media and on television shows, you might think that social attitudes about drugs have completely changed in recent decades. People talk openly about using substances that remain prohibited at a federal level on social media. Television...
More Than An Attorney
William Long Whitesell is a long-term counselor, adviser and active member of the community.
Contact Us »
Valdosta Legal Blog
Why your Georgia DUI could cost far more than you anticipate
Motorists accused of driving under the influence (DUI) offenses face penalties that include jail time, large fines and the loss of their driving privileges. It's common for people facing those consequences to assume incorrectly that it will be cheaper for them to just...
What many Georgia drivers don’t realize about drugged driving
Although it does not affect someone in the same way that alcohol does, marijuana or cannabis does affect cognition and therefore ability to safely drive. Concerns about drugged driving have influenced policy in many states as lawmakers or voters legalized medical and...
Can the police arrest you for having a spouse’s medication?
You share just about everything with your spouse, from your personal property to your daily schedule. The two of you also share household responsibilities. In theory, you may sometimes perform certain tasks on behalf of your spouse, and you have the legal authority to...
Will a DUI impact your right to financial aid?
As a senior in college, you’re old enough to go out and drink with friends and colleagues. You’re celebrating being so close to the end of your schooling, and you’re getting ready to start your career. What you may not have thought would ever happen was that you’d end...
Can you be blamed for someone else’s drug use?
You and your friends spend a lot of time together. You ride in each other’s vehicles, share jackets and even swap clothing once in a while. You were carrying a bag for your friend at a local event when a police officer approached your group with their K-9. The dog, a...
How you act during a DUI arrest can affect your defense
By the time a police officer turns on their flashing lights and siren, they believe they already have probable cause to suspect a driving infraction. From the moment you roll down your window, their main goal will be to gather more evidence to confirm their...
Can you get a DUI because of over-the-counter medications?
If you are taking over-the-counter medications for a cold or for another illness, it’s important that you understand how those medications could impact you. Even though those drugs are available freely, there is a possibility that you could have side effects that may...
How can college students avoid expulsion after a drug charge?
Drug charges can be a significant issue for college students. Obviously, jail time could affect someone's academic performance. Needing to prepare for court could lead to distractions that affect someone's grades. A conviction even without a jail sentence could affect...
Georgia’s Super Speeder law explained
For more than a decade, drivers in Georgia have been subject to a special type of fee if a police officer catches them going extra fast. The statute behind this potentially expensive change is called the Super Speeder law. Even if you have never gotten fined under the...