Recently, the Tennessee House has passed a new bill "Bentley's Law" (HB 1834) that if a parent is killed by a drunk driver, that driver will have to pay the child support for any minor children until that child is 18 years old. This law is named after a 5-year-old child named Bentley who lost both of his parents to a drunk driver.

If the driver is given a prison sentence, they will be given one year after release to begin making the child support payments. 

How did this law become reality in Tennessee? 

Cecilia Williams helped write the law that has now been passed in Tennessee and is waiting on the Governor to sign. Her grandson, who is now 5 years old, lost his family to a drunk driver, and Williams recently shared a conversation between herself and Bentley, who the law was named after, on Facebook.

“Bentley asked me a strange question a couple of days ago, I was a bit shocked. He asked me if he could see a picture of the guy who killed his family,” she began on a status.

“I told him I don’t think it’s a good idea and that his beautiful eyes don’t need to see ugliness. So he repeated his question, I asked him why, and this is what his little 5-year-old mind came back with. “‘Because when I grow big I want to remember why I need to be a police officer,'” she wrote. Cecilia stated that she doesn't think that now is the right time to show Bentley who is responsible for the loss of his parents and sibling, but she is glad that a bill has passed that will hold people accountable for these horrible actions. 

What Does This Have To Do with Georgia?

While this is a law in Tennessee currently, DUI fatalities are a widespread problem. Approximately 400 people are killed each year by drunk drivers in Georgia, which makes up 28% of auto fatalities. Now that a neighboring state has passed this law, there is a good chance that Georgia and other states will be looking at passing a similar ruling. 

At the end of the day, no one should be driving while intoxicated. There are many options to get home safely after a night out, like rideshare services or having a designated driver who takes one for the team and doesn't drink. The price is just too high- your freedom, your safety, as well as the safety of those around you and now possibly years of having to pay child support.

Being charged with a DUI is very serious, and can have complex and costly repercussions. If you have been charged with a DUI, call my office and schedule a time to meet with me. We can discuss the process and likely outcome of those charges, and how to best safeguard your future. 

                                                               ~Julie C. Moore
 

Villa Rica Farmers Market

Guys, this is one of my favorite quick summertime meals, and I wanted to share it with you. Being able to buy a rotisserie chicken makes it super quick, which is a bonus considering how good it is. I would rather spend my time playing with my pups than being cooped up in the kitchen. And as the weather gets warmer, meals that don't require the oven or stove keep the house from getting so hot. 

I eat this by itself but you can put it on bread for a sandwich, eat it with crackers, or in lettuce cups. I hope you enjoy!

INGREDIENTS: 

• 1 pound coleslaw mix
• 3 cups shredded cooked chicken 
• 1/4 cup scallions chopped
• 1 red bell pepper chopped
• 1/2 cup chopped peanuts
• A small handful of fresh cilantro chopped (optional but recommended)
• A small handful fresh basil sliced thin or torn (optional)
• Salt & pepper to taste

DRESSING:

• 5 tablespoons creamy peanut butter
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon lime juice
• 1 tablespoon honey
• 1/2 teaspoon pure sesame oil see note
• 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon fresh ginger grated 
• 3 tablespoons water or more as needed

• Add the dressing ingredients to a medium-sized bowl and whisk together until smooth. Taste and adjust (e.g. add more lime juice or honey). If your dressing comes out really thick (peanut butter brands can vary), add even more water than suggested.
• Prep all the salad ingredients and them add to a large bowl. Toss with the dressing and serve immediately. Season with salt & pepper as needed.

Keep an eye on our Facebook page, my website, and future newsletters, because The Law Office of Julie C. Moore is releasing a video!

I am not usually one to "show off" and that is how a video on The Law Office of Julie C. Moore felt when I first considered it. Then I realized that it actually worked towards my goal of helping people as much as I can- it gives people who may not know me and my team a glimpse into who we are and why we do this. 

People who need the services of a lawyer are usually going through something stressful- maybe the most stressful time of their whole life. Dealing with that plus trying to figure out who to call and who to trust is just an added layer of stress that I want to help people with. My law firm handles a variety of cases, like criminal charges, car accident injuries, Estates & Wills just to name a few, and we have been helping residents of Carroll County and eight neighboring counties for over 10 years. I spent many years working as an Assistant Public Defender in Carrollton where I represented clients in over 1,000 felony cases. My Law Office has now been open since 2012 and I am very familiar with the Judges, Clerks, and Courtrooms of many of the counties around me. So, if I can take the time to make a video where people feel like they know me and are more comfortable calling my office, then it's totally worth it!



I and my team spent a beautiful day recently filming a lot for this video, including interviews with some of my clients, footage of us at the Courthouse, and me talking about my background and my story. I think you all will be very interested in hearing what lead me to become an attorney- it is probably not what you will expect! The final video should be completed in the near future and I am excited to share it with you all. 

If I can ever help you or someone that you know, please don't hesitate to contact my office. This isn't just a career, this is my passion. 

Would This Be Considered "Brave or Stupid"?

26-year-old Arielle Bonnici was on her way to the Courthouse to answer a summons for marijuana possession when she cut off a police car as she pulled into the parking lot. 

Police say Bonnici, who appeared to be on her cellphone at the time, drove into the area designated for police vehicles only and then parked in the spot reserved for the Chief of Police.

As officers approached her vehicle, Bonnici rolled down her window, and police were met with a cloud of marijuana smoke, authorities say. Officers also observed marijuana and a pipe containing marijuana in her possession, police say.

"At this point, the two officers said they started laughing. Besides cutting off a police car, on the cellphone, parking in the chief's parking spot, now she's smoking marijuana in the back of a courthouse and police station," says Northport Police Chief William Ricca.

She was issued a field appearance ticket in lieu of arrest for unlawful possession of marijuana and a traffic ticket for using her cellphone while driving. She was then directed inside the courtroom to be arraigned on the new charge and to answer the original charge.

So, what do you think? Was she brave or stupid to:

1. Cut off a Police Officer...
2. While talking on the phone behind the wheel...
3. Parking in the private Police department parking lot...
4. In the Chief of Police reserved spot...
5. then Smoking pot in the car and
6. Having an open drug pipe and marijuana in plain sight when an officer approached her car
7. All while going to court for a prior marijuana charge.

People never cease to amaze me! But I guess that's a good thing because it makes for entertaining stories in the newsletter, at the very least. Be safe out there my friends!

Thank You for Reading!
~Julie

Do You Need a Lawyer in Carroll County?
Give Attorney Julie C. Moore a Call Today!

770-456-4333

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