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THE DEFENSE REPORT
JUNE 2023
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CHECK OUT THESE FISHING LOCATIONS CAST YOUR LINE! If you’ve ever successfully caught a fish, you certainly know the feeling of accomplishment after reeling in the largemouth bass that took you hours to catch. Fishing is a great hobby and an opportunity to spend time with others or, sometimes, just with yourself. It gets you outdoors, teaches you about different types of fish, allows you time to relax, and is an enjoyable hobby. On June 18, Father’s Day this year, we celebrate National Go Fishing Day, where new fishermen (and women) and experienced anglers alike can embrace getting out and casting a line on the water. Believe it or not, it’s possible to escape the hustle and bustle of the Atlanta metro and enjoy some great local fishing. If you’re looking for a great place to go fishing, here are some nearby ideas! SWEETWATER CREEK STATE PARK Just outside of Atlanta, Sweetwater Creek State Park is perfect for planning your next fishing trip. The George Sparks Reservoir is 215 acres in a beautiful location — there’s even a bait shop for all your fishing supply needs. For most of the year, the park rents fishing boats, making your experience on the water even better. There’s also a museum and visitors center to point you in the right direction to locate the two fishing docks and boat dock. HIGH FALLS STATE PARK Hybrid and white bass love High Falls State Park! The park’s lake is a great spot to fish, relax, and enjoy nature’s beauty. The lake is relatively shallow, and fishing for bass and catfish is plentiful, but you can also expect to encounter crappie, bream, and sunfish. STONE MOUNTAIN LAKE Within Stone Mountain Park, Stone Mountain Lake, spanning 323 acres, is the largest body of water in the park. It’s known for catfish, crappie,
carp, bass, and bream, and fishing is permitted from 6 a.m. until midnight! So, if you enjoy casting a line into the sunset and hanging out for hours after dark, this is your spot! RED TOP MOUNTAIN STATE PARK Lake Allatoona at Red Top Mountain State Park features 12 acres of sparkling lake. The area is well known for its catfish, bluegill, crappie, and trophy bass population. Here, you can either bring your boat or rent one from a marina close to the park to enhance the fishing experience. FORT YARGO STATE PARK This park is right between Athens and Atlanta and is easily accessible. The 260-acre lake has bass, crappie, catfish, and bream. Two boat ramps are available, so bring your boat and get out on the water — this gem is a fishing hot spot!
Whether you’re an experienced angler or you’ve never cast a line, fishing is always a great way to spend an afternoon — even if you don’t catch anything! –Jim Yeargan
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HOW MELISSA BUTLER OVERCAME FAILURE FROM ‘SHARK TANK’ REJECT TO STAR CEO Melissa Butler, CEO of skin care and cosmetics company The Lip Bar, had her first brush with fame when she appeared on a 2015 episode of “Shark Tank.” But it was almost her last. The “sharks” not only didn’t like her idea — they mercilessly skewered it. Butler’s journey began in 2012 when she decided the beauty industry needed more diversity and natural ingredients. So, she started mixing her own lipstick shades in her kitchen. But when she presented her bold and beautiful creations on “Shark Tank,” the experts called them “clown makeup.” Kevin O’Leary, also known as “Mr. Wonderful,” was particularly harsh. He told her the cosmetics market was oversaturated and that she should quit while she could. Never one to shy away from a challenge, Butler did no such thing. She knew Black women and other women of color wanted cosmetic options that better suited their skin tones and continued making her vegan, cruelty-free, and affordable lip products. Butler did not find success overnight, and it might have seemed the sharks had a point. But she began to make headway into retail outlets, and in 2022, The Lip Bar closed $6.7 million in seed funding. The company now has a flagship store in Detroit and sits on shelves in over 500 Walmart and
750 Target stores. Butler announced in early 2023 that The Lip Bar is now the largest Black-owned makeup brand on Target shelves. Former first lady Michelle Obama and actress Taraji P. Henson have both worn the company’s shades. As her company continues to expand and roll out new products, Butler doesn’t shy away from her less-successful past — she actively celebrates it. The Lip Bar CEO regularly tells her story and even placed a billboard in her hometown of Detroit, noting how she beat the odds. It read: “‘Shark Tank’ told me to quit. 10 years and 2 million units sold. Thanks, Mr. Wonderful.” These days, even Mr. Wonderful is on board. In a 2022 interview, O’Leary admitted that he got it wrong. “They were facing an almost impossible task,” he said. “They pulled it off, so you gotta applaud them.” Impressed by how she beat the odds, MarthaStewart.com asked Butler last year what advice she had for other entrepreneurs. “Keep working towards your goals,” she responded. “Because your idea will never become reality if you don’t do it.” CLICK IT OR TICKET THE INS AND OUTS OF GEORGIA’S SEAT BELT LAWS While Georgia’s seat belt laws are strict and straightforward, a few exceptions exist. A driver or passenger doesn’t need to wear a seat belt if they frequently stop to leave the vehicle and deliver property and not exceed 15 mph. A seat belt is not required if a driver or passenger has a written note from the doctor, including medical reasons. If the car was manufactured in 1965 or older, or if the driver is operating the car in reverse, they are not legally required to buckle up. Those who violate the seat belt laws in Georgia will face tickets and fines of $25 for a child 8 years of age and older and $25 for adults. For children under 4 years of age, there is a $50 fine ($100 for a second offense). If you have been accused of not wearing a seat belt, you have the right to fight the ticket! Contact our experienced attorneys today — we will help you develop a strong defense and work to get your ticket dismissed!
You’ve heard it before, and we are here to remind you again: Buckle up! It may save your life. According to the National Safety Council, from 1975 to 2017, seat belts saved the lives of 374,276 individuals involved in auto accidents. So, how effective are seat belts estimated to be? The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) gauges that seatbelts reduce front-seat passenger car deaths by 45% and critical injuries by up to 50%. However, the U.S. Department of Transportation reports that 90.4% of adults in the United States riding in the front of vehicles wore seat belts in 2021. While this is a high number, it still isn’t everybody. Did you know that in the state of Georgia, it’s a traffic violation to drive a passenger vehicle (any type of vehicle with seating for people other than the driver) without wearing a seat belt, or to drive with a passenger in the front seat who isn’t wearing their seat belt? If minors ride in your back seat, they must buckle up. However, if you are driving a vehicle and a passenger over 18 years of age is riding in the back without a seatbelt, you cannot be charged with a seat belt violation.
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LAUGH IT OFF
In Georgia, if you are stopped on suspicion of driving under the influence, you will likely be legally required to take a blood test to determine your blood alcohol concentration (BAC). Under Georgia’s DUI policy of implied consent, when you get behind the wheel and operate a motor vehicle, you consent to take a chemical test for alcohol and drugs if requested by a law enforcement officer. Depending on the test results, you could be charged with a DUI, which could mean license suspension, jail time, or fines if found guilty of driving while under the influence of drugs or alcohol. The results of your blood test will make a monumental impact on the outcome of your case and whether or not the prosecution finds you to be guilty. When police officers stop someone because they believe they may be driving under the influence, they have three testing options: a breath test, a blood test, or a urine test. Sometimes, law enforcement also conduct field sobriety tests, but the blood test is considered the most accurate. Because blood tests cannot be conducted on the side of the road where the traffic stop occurred, the police will escort you to a medical lab for testing. In Georgia, you can request an independent blood test in addition to the state-administered one. If you request this, police officers must provide you with internet access to locate a testing facility, drive you up to 50 miles to the facility, and stop at an ATM to allow you to withdraw cash to pay for the test. If the blood test results indicate your BAC is over the legal limit, this doesn’t always mean a conviction is the next inevitable step. With the assistance of experienced attorneys here at Yeargan & Kert, LLC, you can challenge the test results. We are here to assist you in navigating the blood testing process and the confusing aftermath. We have been providing legal advice and guidance to the local community for years and would love to do the same for you. Just give us a call to schedule your free consultation! A PEEK INTO THE DUI BLOOD TEST PROCESS
SEAFOOD PASTA SALAD
If you can’t get to the beach this summer, bring the ocean to you with this refreshing seafood pasta salad.
INGREDIENTS
• 4 cups fusilli noodles • 2 cups crab meat or shrimp • 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese • 2 cups ranch dressing • 1 cup frozen peas, thawed • 1/2 cup chopped green peppers
• 1/2 cup chopped red peppers • 1/2 cup diced onions • 1/2 cup shredded carrots • 2 cups halved cherry tomatoes • 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese (optional)
DIRECTIONS 1. In a large pot, bring the fusilli noodles to a boil and cook until al dente, then drain. 2. In a large bowl, combine noodles, crab or shrimp, cheddar cheese, ranch dressing, peas, green and red peppers, onions, and carrots, then mix together gently. 3. Refrigerate the pasta salad for 3–4 hours. If salad is dry upon removing from refrigerator, add more ranch dressing. 4. Once you’re ready to eat, top salad with tomatoes and Parmesan cheese if desired.
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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
Hook, Line, and Sinker
The ‘Shark Tank’ Contestant Who Didn’t Give Up
Georgia’s Seat Belt Laws
What to Expect During a DUI Blood Test
Seafood Pasta Salad
Lions and Tigers and Bears, Oh My!
MONKEY AROUND THIS SUMMER
CHECK OUT SOME OF AMERICA’S BEST ZOOS
THE LIVING DESERT ZOO AND GARDENS While the San Diego Zoo is often boasted as California’s largest and best zoo, another zoo
Summer is one of the best times of the year to travel. Kids are out of school and want to do something fun every weekend, which can be difficult to accommodate if you’ve already exhausted your local options. If you’re looking to travel, you can visit a beach, take in the sights and sounds of an amusement park, or spend some time with animals while visiting a zoo. Nearly every state in our country has a handful of zoos or aquariums, but some stand above the rest.
prides itself on hosting rare, endangered animals you can’t see elsewhere. It has the world’s largest nocturnal exhibit, and one of the major highlights is the Desert Dome, an 84,000-square-foot indoor desert that maintains an authentic desert ecosystem. This is a must-visit for any animal lover in your family.
THE BRONX ZOO You don’t usually think about seeing
is worth checking out. The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens outside Palm Springs has
exotic animals when you visit New York City, but the Bronx Zoo is one of the best places to view animals in America. Opened in 1899, the Bronx Zoo is responsible for many of the advancements relating to animal captivity. This was one of the first zoos to ditch cages for natural environments and create an animal hospital. With over 6,000 species, there’s an animal for everyone at the Bronx Zoo.
Here are three of the best zoos you can visit in the U.S.
entertained visitors for decades. There are events at this zoo every day, one of the most popular being the keeper connections and animal encounters, where you get up close and personal with the animals while learning more about their habitats and lifestyles.
OMAHA’S HENRY DOORLY ZOO AND AQUARIUM The Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium in Omaha, Nebraska, is consistently ranked as one of the top five zoos in the world. It
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