Balch Law Group successfully defends Investigators with the Muscogee County Sheriff’s Office in a challenge from the Columbus Consolidated Government (“CCG”) to the production of information gathered pursuant to 6 search warrants. Sheriff’s Investigators are looking into allegations of financial mismanagement by CCG pursuant to a request by the Governing Authority of the Consolidated Government….
CBS Mornings recently reported on Brookhaven, Georgia’s Police Department’s ground breaking drone program, illustrating how drones can be used by law enforcement. But what does it really take to implement a drone program that protects civil liberties? A city council voting on policy and a police department building a program are the final steps in…
Our firm was proud to present to the International Municipal Lawyers Association Mid-Year Seminar in Washington, DC in April. In tandem with Brookhaven Police Lieutenant Abrem Ayana, we presented on the policies, procedures, and operational guidelines governing the Brookhaven program. Our work on behalf of local governments has always been at the forefront of the…
At this year’s International Municipal Lawyers Association conference in Portland, Oregon, Chris was thrilled and humbled to accept the Marvin J. Glink Private Practice Public Entity Attorney award, following a glowing speech by IMLA’s executive Director and General Counsel Amanda Karas. This award is established to honor the memory of Marvin J. Glink by recognizing…
From an article in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution by Zachary Hansen Brookhaven’s city leaders passed an ordinance Tuesday night that imposes a fine between $500 and $1,000 for violators, who could also receive up to six months in jail. In addition, vehicles used in a street race can be impounded for 30 days or until the case is settled….
Georgia’s Governor Kemp has said that a mask mandate is a “bridge too far;”* but we learned from Congressman John Lewis** that crossing bridges, even in the face of violent opposition, is good trouble when it means saving lives and making a difference. Cities across Georgia need to stand up for their citizens and assert…
I was raised by a pacifist who wholly believed Dr King and Mahatma Ghandi’s creed of nonviolence. Then I learned about WWII and confronted bullies on the playground and realized that sometimes violence is a necessary response to injustice and violence. I enlisted in the Marines to put action to my belief that I was…
Yesterday afternoon, the Governor issued Executive Order 05.12.20.02. Written in the intensely bureaucratic language we have come to expect, the Order is far from a model of clarity. By omission, the Governor has directed that public pools are allowed to reopen. Pools are not included or directly mentioned in the Executive Order but they are…
The Supreme Court of the United States is still working, despite having postponed arguments for the rest of the month and closing the building to the public. They still meet to discuss pending and new cases every Friday. Craig v. Turner will be presented and discussed at the Court’s April 3 conference. We will likely…