Justice Talks

Making Every Vote Count

How were Athens-Clarke County absentee votes counted during the June 9 presidential primary?

 

Adam Shirley, concerned citizen and local Democratic party member, had the chance to serve on the panel that helped count these votes.

While counting, he discovered Georgia's new voting machines have a blind spot that may miss votes. He also discovered how very solemn and careful the recount process is. He shares with us how he and the members of the recount panel guaranteed that every vote counts, and how he is working to tell people about the blind spot.

Under the Gold Dome 2020

Athens defense attorney Nancee Tomlinson walks us through the major criminal justice bills debated and passed during this year's most unusual session of the Georgia General Assembly. 

Recorded just a few hours before Sine Die, we cover records restrictions, hate crimes, signature bonds, the end of the child abuse registry, and sentencing reform. 

What if DFCS Shows Up?

James B. Cronon tells us what happens if DFCS files a dependency claim against a parent. When does DFCS get involved? Who will be in court? How do parents protect their rights? What happens when the case goes to court? How does the court make a decision about what's in the best interests of the child? And, can parents make sure their voice is heard? 

This very special episode of the podcast delves deep into dependency cases which affect many families. If you are a parent in a DFCS case, care about a child in a DFCS case, or just want to know how the government gets involved in families' lives, this detailed episode walks you through the entire process. 

 Intro and outro music (c) Soundstripe, Tide Electric, "Better Days Ahead." 

Election Day in the Eighth District: A Conversation with Commission Candidate Kamau Hull

 

Athens Justice Talks is especially grateful to Kamau Hull for this extensive interview. Kamau Hull, Eighth District Commission Candidate tells Athens Justice Talks how his experience will make him an excellent Commissioner and what he will do once elected to the office. 

 

Lawyer. Mediator. Mechanical Engineer. Virginia Military Institute and John Marshall Law School Graduate. Father. Husband. Son. Board Member. Business Owner. Former Cable Guy. Athens Native.

 

Kamau tells us about his strong Athens roots, why he and his wife stay to support the community, his commitment to equity, and the fundamental questions of race and politics.

 

Intro and Outro Music (c) Soundstripe, by Tide Electric, "Better Days Ahead."

Financial Survival with Doug Lenhardt: Bankruptcy Basics

Things have gotten tough for a lot of folks due to the coronavirus pandemic, and many people are considering filing bankruptcy. How do you know if you can file? When should you file? What do all of those chapters mean? How do you find a good bankruptcy attorney? 

Doug Lenhardt, an Athens general practitioner who has handled bankruptcy cases for 17 years, shares everything you need to know about the basics of this complex area of the law. Doug walks us through the bankruptcy process step-by-step, explaining everything from cram-downs to keeping your home; wild card exemptions to creditors meetings; and filing electronically to what the trustee does. 

Doug also explains new laws that protect debtors, as established by the recent Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. 

Car Crashes and the Future of Civil Lawsuits

Donarell Rhea Green, IV, veteran lawyer with more than 20 years of experience, joins us for a second discussion on civil lawsuits. What happens if you get in a car crash? Will you be able to get into court soon? How do cases settle? Are there any new civil claims we might see because of the pandemic?

In this episode packed with detailed information, he walks us through a typical personal injury suit as it moves from accident to judgment. He also shares his predictions for the future of civil litigation.

Great listen for anyone thinking about hiring a lawyer to help them with a personal injury claim or wondering how the courts are changing because of the coronavirus.

 Athens Justice Talks is especially grateful to Donarell for sharing his time with us for this episode and Episode 4, which aired initially on May 16.

_{Intro and Outro Music (c) Soundstripe, by Tide Electric, "Better Days Ahead."}

Working in the Legal ER: Public Defense in a Pandemic

Imani Carter, Assistant Public Defender in the Western Judicial Circuit, helps Clients facing misdemeanor and felony charges in Athens-Clarke and Oconee Counties by humanizing and sharing the narrative of people who often are not otherwise heard in the judicial system.

She talks with us this week about her strategies for managing the busy work of a public defender. Listen to learn about how real her work is!

Intro and Outro Music (c) Soundstripe, by Tide Electric, "Better Days Ahead."

Managing Civil Cases in a Pandemic--Featuring Athens Attorney Donarell Rhea Green, IV

What's going on with personal injury and family law cases during the pandemic? Are lawyers still available to help with civil matters like this? Is it possible to get a case settled while under the judicial emergency declaration?

 

This week's featured guest, Donarell Rhea Green, IV, joins us to talk these topics and more. From civil to criminal law; what it's like to practice with his brothers; and how his firm has strategically positioned caring for clients during both in "normal" times and during this pandemic.

 

Donarell, born and raised in Athens, has the Classic City "in his DNA." His firm, Green and Green, specializes in criminal, personal injury, and family law, and is located at the corner of West Hancock Avenue and North Chase Street.

 

This is the first of two conversations with him. The second will air on May 30.

 

Intro music provided by Soundstripe, (c) Tide Electric, "Better Days Ahead."

Data, Data, and More Data--Dr. Melissa Martin, M.D. Explains What We Need to Know about COVID Numbers

Local M.D. Dr. Melissa Martin joined us this week to talk about COVID data, how her practice has changed during the pandemic, and what we need to know to keep safe. 

What data helps us understand the coronavirus epidemic? What information can we rely on? How are our local medical professionals working through the new world created by COVID-19? 

Dr. Martin, double board certified in internal medicine and pediatrics, answers these questions and more. 

Intro music provided by Soundstripe, (c) Tide Electric, "Better Days Ahead."

The New Quasi-Virtual World of Municipal Courts: How Has COVID-19 Changed How Courts Do Business?

This week, we had an awesome conversation with Judge Rashida Oliver, Municipal Court of East Point, and Judge Ryan Hope, Municipal Court of Athens-Clarke County. These judges serve in two of Georgia's highest volume courts. They share with us the constitutional, legal, and practical issues they face with moving into the "quasi-virtual world" created by the COVID-19 pandemic.

 

What a joy it was to hear how they are protecting the safety of employees and litigants while still addressing their dockets!

 

 

Intro music provided by Soundstripe, (c) Tide Electric, "Better Days Ahead."