Yeargan & Kert LLC - December 2021

Yeargan & Kert LLC - December 2021

THE DEFENSE REPORT

DECEMBER 2021

AtlantaDUILawyer.com 404-467-1747

REFLECTING BACK ON A TOUGH 2 YEARS LESSONS LEARNED The year is drawing to a close, and a new year is dawning. The holidays are a magical time to spend with family, exchanging gifts, sharing love, and creating new memories while celebrating old ones. A new year brings an opportunity for us to leave the last 12 months in the past while starting afresh and pursuing new dreams. After another tough year with uncertainty, unanticipated suffering, and obstacles that have been difficult to overcome, the promise of a new year is exciting. As we close out the year, let’s look back and reflect on happy times, accomplishments, and proud moments. However, it’s also helpful to reflect on the difficult moments, mistakes, and struggles. How can we build upon those moments to better ourselves? What positivity can we make from the past two years? ”These past two years have also emphasized the importance of showing both ourselves and others compassion.” Both 2020 and 2021 presented such unprecedented circumstances that we were forced to function differently. The pandemic forced us to shine a light on our lives and highlight what is truly important to us, things we take for granted, and where we can make improvements. These past two years have also emphasized the importance of showing both ourselves and others compassion. It’s given us a new appreciation for things we can control and taught us how to let go of things outside of our control.

As the year winds down, what are you grateful for? We may have to sift through a lot of negativity to reveal the positive aspects of our lives, but we can find them and appreciate how precious and valuable they are. What strengths did you discover you have? Throughout the pandemic, we have been forced into a new normal and our lives were shaken up. What new things did you learn about yourself? Maybe you found that you crave in-person connection, or that when alone, the introvert takes over and you thrive! Over the past two years, have you found some attachments you didn’t know you had? Have you found yourself missing certain aspects of your life the pandemic temporarily took away? What coping mechanisms have you found yourself reverting to when the stress piles up? Possibly you worked remotely for some time. What did you learn about the team you work with, and how can this knowledge strengthen your working relationships? Without knowing it, we learned so much about ourselves over the course of these past two years. It only seems right to take these lessons and capitalize on them to understand ourselves better. When we do, we know how to better care for ourselves and set ourselves up for success.

I wish for each and every one of you to find the positive in 2021 and look forward to 2022 as a year of rebuilding. Let us take lessons learned and benefit from them. Happy holidays and happy New Year!

–Jim Yeargan

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A BETTER MINDSET FOR GROWTH THINK BETTER WITH ADAM GRANT’S ‘THINK AGAIN’

Think about the sting you feel when you are proven wrong. It hurts, doesn’t it?

more accessibility to information, we must be willing to do two things: rethink and unlearn.

But what if it didn’t have to? Better yet, what if it shouldn’t?

Grant challenges readers to stand in the discomfort of being wrong, celebrate that there is something new to learn, and challenge themselves to interact with those who propose a new way of thinking. By doing so, Grant asserts that we can speak and argue with conviction while actually engaging and listening to arguments as if we are wrong. This allows us to learn, engage, and grow. In “Think Again,” Grant asks readers to consider better ways to approach their steadfast beliefs. Readers will find amusement in Grant’s real-world examples of turning skeptics into believers within a variety of topics. And, through these examples, readers will discover new ways to listen so they can gain a greater understanding of the world around them.

Regardless of our attempts at humility, humans’ egos have inflated, and we are all conditioned to believe that being wrong somehow equates to being a bad person. However, renowned author and psychologist Adam Grant challenges this notion in his New York Times bestseller, “Think Again: The Power of Knowing What You Don’t Know.” With today’s divisive climate, Grant argues that we hold our beliefs up like a badge, illuminating them so brightly that we become blind to other truths or realities. Far too often, our mindsets focus on what is black and white, rather than understanding the gray nuances found in between. In “Think Again,” Grant’s third book, he argues that as rapidly as we get information in today’s digital world, we cannot be expected to fully know all of it. Being wrong is part of human nature, but as we gain

You can pick up your copy of “Think Again” and other books by Grant from an independent book retailer or by visiting Amazon.com.

CASE EXPLAINED WHAT ARE THE PENALTIES FOR A DUI CRASH?

Facing driving under the influence (DUI) charges is nerve-wracking and can lead to a lot of anxiety. However, when a person is injured as a result of a DUI accident, the offender is punished much more strictly, and the courts are not nearly as lenient as they are with no- damage DUIs. Even with a first-time DUI charge, if someone loses their life or becomes disabled because of the crash, the court will likely be very harsh on the drunk driver. Most first-time DUIs are misdemeanors. But if you injure or kill someone while intoxicated, the charge generally escalates to a felony. In the event that you are ever accused of being at fault in a DUI accident, contacting a DUI criminal defense attorney is in your best interest. The penalties you may face for a DUI crash, just like with other DUI cases, depend on the charges. If you are facing DUI murder charges, you may potentially end up spending years in prison. If the victim’s injuries are minimal, you could possibly face some time in jail, but you could also enter a plea agreement for probation. Each situation is penalized on a case-by-case basis.

The potential penalties for a DUI may include the following:

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Substantial fines

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Probation

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Extended prison sentences

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Suspension or revocation of driving privileges

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Ignition interlock device

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Alcohol treatment programs

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Restitution

If you are ever involved in a DUI case, a DUI defense lawyer will be extremely beneficial in helping you to develop a defense strategy based on the facts of the case. It should be noted that it is possible to have more than one valid defense to the criminal charges.

For assistance, call us today!

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FALSE-POSITIVE

LAUGH IT OFF

REASONS A BREATHALYZER COULD BE WRONG

If you get pulled over during a traffic stop and the police officer suspects that you are driving under the influence, he or she may ask you to take a Breathalyzer test.

You should not agree to take the test for many reasons. Why? Breathalyzers notoriously produce false-positive results.

What can cause a Breathalyzer to produce a false-positive result?

DIY HOLIDAY EGGNOG

THE TESTING UNIT’S SOFTWARE Breathalyzer devices require regular maintenance to stay updated, along with proper tuning or calibration to adjust to the conditions at the time of use. Police offers can make simple mistakes in failing to maintain or calibrate the device, which can lead to an incorrect reading. FOODS AND DRINKS Many foods and liquids we consume can contain traces of alcohol detectable by a Breathalyzer, which can create a false-positive result. Some of these foods include, but are not limited to, certain types of toothpaste, mouthwash, breath mints, aftershave, and cough syrups. Ripe fruits, protein bars, energy drinks, pecans, macadamia nuts, and other foods have also been linked to false- positive Breathalyzer test results. So, if you just left the house after having brushed your teeth, used some aftershave, or grabbed an energy drink on the way out the door, there’s a chance you may ever so slightly smell like alcohol to an officer and a test may produce a false-positive. MEDICAL CONDITIONS AND MEDICATIONS Acid reflux, diabetes, and hypoglycemia have the ability to impact your blood alcohol concentration (BAC) readings, and many medications are known to affect Breathalyzer results. Some of these medicines include allergy pills, asthma medications, cold medicines, and oral gels for toothaches. FUME EXPOSURE If you’ve been exposed to cleaning agents, paint removers and thinners, gasoline, or other similar chemical-based materials, inhaling even modest amounts of these fumes can give you a feeling similar to intoxication and may lead to a failed Breathalyzer test. If you received a false-positive Breathalyzer test on scene during a Georgia DUI case, contact us today! We are here to help guide you in the right direction.

Making your own eggnog is easier than you think! This creamy, delicious drink will be a hit with your holiday guests.

INGREDIENTS

• 6 egg yolks • 1/2 cup sugar • 1 cup heavy whipping cream • 2 cups milk

• 1/2 tsp nutmeg • 1 pinch salt • 1/4 tsp vanilla extract • Cinnamon and whipped cream, for garnish

DIRECTIONS 1. In a medium bowl, whisk the egg yolks and sugar until light and creamy. Set aside. 2. In a saucepan over medium heat, stir together the cream, milk, nutmeg, and salt. Bring to a simmer. 3. Add a spoonful of the milk mixture to the egg mixture. Whisk vigorously and repeat, one spoonful at a time. 4. When most of the milk is whisked in, add the egg mixture to the saucepan. 5. Whisk until the liquid thickens slightly or reaches 160 F. Remove from heat and add vanilla extract. 6. Pour the eggnog into a glass container and cover. Refrigerate. 7. When the eggnog has thickened, pour it into glasses, garnish, and enjoy!

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Yeargan & Kert, LLC 3715 Northside Parkway Building 100 Suite 500 Atlanta, GA 30327 404-467-1747 AtlantaDUILawyer.com

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INSIDE

Reflecting Back on a Tough 2 Years

Embrace Being Wrong With Adam Grant’s Help

DUI Crash Penalties

Breathalyzer False-Positive

DIY Holiday Eggnog

Decorate Your Gingerbread House Like a Pro

HOW TO DECORATE YOUR GINGERBREAD HOUSE LIKE A PRO CREATING A HOLIDAY MASTERPIECE One of the most popular holiday traditions has become making and decorating gingerbread houses. The tradition began in Germany in the early 1800s and originated from Grimm’s “Hansel and Gretel.” Some shy away from the idea of making their own gingerbread house, but have no fear — if the Germans did it in the early 1800s, so can you! To simplify things, many gingerbread houses come with baked pieces and a full decorating kit. This helps you have more time for the best part: the actual decorating! Each kit usually comes with fun candy and icing, so you can make something really kick-butt for the holidays! Icing will be your best friend. Think of it as the yummy glue that holds everything together while also acting as a colorful trim for your gingerbread house. However, because it’ll keep the house from falling, be sure to use a lot! Spice drops also make for a great trim and “roofing,” just use icing to hold them in place. Alternate between colors or use a variety to make your house really pop. M&Ms are certainly a must-have for anyone decorating their gingerbread house. Not only are they delicious, but they also make cute little accents all over the house and yard.

Mini cookies of your choice may also make a deliciously good-looking roof. Try layering them up for a dimensional look! And, for extra pizazz, strategically place mini candy canes throughout the yard and on either side of the front doors and windows. If you want to get really detailed, try using actual candy bars as fire logs in the fireplace. Just be sure to store your gingerbread house in a cool area so nothing will melt! Whether you prefer a simple gingerbread house or a flashy one, any and ALL candy can be used! Get decorating and be sure to have a bite of candy along the way!

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