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THE DEFENSE REPORT
NOVEMBER 2019
AtlantaDUILawyer.com 404-467-1747
WHAT I’M GRATEFUL FOR A THANKFUL JOB
T he holidays are already upon us! If you’re like me, you’re likely scrambling to make sure everything is in place for the big Thanksgiving meal! But amid the chaos, it’s important to remember what the holidays — and the last Thursday of November in particular — are all about: gratitude. Naturally, I’m grateful for my family and their health. At the time of writing, all my relatives seem to be fairing very well! It’s a good feeling to be entering the holiday season with no major health scares. Given our family’s size, we’re incredibly fortunate. I hope this trend continues into the new year. But I also want to express my gratitude for another sort of family that has been there for me through thick and thin: the people I work with. We spend so much of our lives at our jobs, it’s a real blessing when you have truly wonderful team members to spend that time with. I’m lucky to have Lindsay, John, and Julie here at the firm. Each bring their own amazing strengths to the table.
for us and our clients, ensuring we stay on schedule. I think I speak for all of us at the firm when I saw we’d be lost without our “sergeant.”
Last, but certainly not least, I’m eternally grateful for my partner in law, Julie. Not only would Yeargan and Kert literally not be there without her, but I also would be a very different lawyer. From the first time I got to work with her in the prosecutor’s office, I’ve had a deep respect for her. No one messes with Julie in the courtroom — she showed me what it really means to stand firm for your clients. Over the years, she’s been an incredible mentor, business partner, and friend. You can’t help but think that people like her are heaven-sent. I’m thankful all three of these incredible professionals work with me — but they aren’t the only people I’m glad I get to work with. As corny as this may sound, I really am grateful for you, our clients. I don’t know if it’s because of the kind of people we attract or our vetting process, but we really do get to represent some genuinely good people here. So often other attorneys will complain about the people they “have to” represent. It’s a great reminder to me of how lucky I am. So this Thanksgiving, I’m raising a glass to you. Thank you for always making my job feel like a privilege and never a chore.
“I ALSO WANT TO EXPRESS MY GRATITUDE FOR ANOTHER SORT OF FAMILY THAT HAS BEEN THERE FOR ME THROUGH THICK AND THIN:”
For her part, Lindsay is a force of nature. I swear she doesn’t stop working. Whether emailing, taking calls, researching, or doing any of the myriad vital functions she fulfills every single day, she never loses her cool. In fact, Lindsay always has an infectious, upbeat attitude that makes the whole office brighter — frankly, I don’t know how she does it. The stars really aligned when we were able to recruit her to the firm. And then there’s John, who’s a real godsend. He keeps this firm organized and running with military precision — literally. A former serviceman, John has put all his discipline and logistical talents to work
Cheers,
–Jim Yeargan
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POINT BY POINT
REVOLUTIONIZE YOUR BUSINESS WITH BULLET JOURNALING
When you’re an entrepreneur or a business leader, your to-do list can feel more like a novel than a manageable list. But what if you could order your thoughts, track your accomplishments, and maintain organization all on your own terms? It may sound too good to be true, but bullet journaling does just that. WHAT IS IT? Despite what the name may suggest, bullet journaling has little to do with writing out your feelings — unless you want to do that! Instead, it’s a log of all your to-do lists, reminders, and tracking systems in one convenient place. The goal is to complete tasks and update your journal each day. You can even download a companion app to digitally stay on top of your tracking. The beauty of bullet journaling is customization. If you’re a visual person, create drawings or tape down pictures to represent your tasks. If you prefer precise outlines, use ruled pages to order each goal and its subtasks. A bullet journal can include every aspect of your business down to the smallest logistical details, or it can break down a single, complicated aspect, such as vendor tracking, into one journal. The look and function of your bullet journal is completely up to you and your process.
HOW DO I DO IT? Despite the versatility, every bullet journal shares a couple key components. First, you need a legend or key to identify what symbols mean throughout your journal. For example, a square next to a task may indicate it is a high priority, or a star may mean a task has been completed. Any group of symbols will work, but consistency keeps you organized. Second, you need a calendar in your bullet journal. That way, you can organize your goals by year, month, week, or day and keep track of smaller goals along the way. Throughout your journal, create separate sections for as many breakdowns as you want, but the key is to keep it all connected. No longer do you need to carry around a to-do list, a planner, and a calendar. Turn to bullet journaling to revolutionize the way you organize. For more tips, inspiration, and information on how bullet journaling can help you and your business, visit BulletJournal.com.
Moving Forward
HOPE AFTER AN ARREST
CONSIDER EXPUNGEMENT Depending on the circumstances of your arrest, you may be eligible to get it expunged from your record. This is a great option as it can significantly improve your employment opportunities, personal relationships, and sense of self. Of course, getting your arrest off your record can be difficult, particularly in Georgia. Consulting an experienced Atlanta criminal defense lawyer can help you understand your options. FIND SUPPORT Handling the fallout of an arrest is difficult, but you don’t have to do it alone. Talking to supportive friends and family members about what you’re going through can be deeply therapeutic, helping them understand your challenges and giving you a chance to organize your thoughts. These loved ones can also help you seek employment and tackle the other practical elements of rebuilding your life.
with life challenges in unhealthy ways? Is substance abuse an issue? Asking yourself these sorts of questions can be incredibly difficult, but confronting them is the best way to make lasting positive change. If you need a hand, counselors can provide expert support along the way. TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF Stress, shame, fear — these are all very common emotions to experience after an arrest. While time will heal these wounds, it doesn’t mean you have to simply live with them in the present. Exercise, meditation, and other self- care activities can help you relieve tension and feel accomplished. Giving yourself that confidence and mental boost is the best way to propel yourself through negative thoughts and put your energy in a positive direction.
It can be incredibly difficult to move forward after an arrest. Even if you weren’t convicted, the financial, emotional, and social costs for this single event can follow you for years — even decades. But you don’t have to be stuck in the shadow of this one event the rest of your life. There are steps you can take toward a brighter future. ASK HARD QUESTIONS After an arrest, you need to reflect on and confront the elements in your life that may have led you to face criminal charges. Were you hanging around the wrong crowd? Were you coping
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LAUGH IT OFF
Drive Responsibly MAKE IT HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS
With the holidays right around the corner, we’re sure many families are preparing for a joyous season of giving. While making those gift lists and checking them twice is certainly a good idea, our firm would like to urge you to remember another very important point of preparation: being behind the wheel this season. There’s never been a more critical time to drive more carefully than this time of year. Deadly car accidents involving drunk drivers are painfully common during the holidays. From Thanksgiving weekend through New Year’s, our nation sees more deaths from these preventable accidents than at any other point in the year. In fact, a Department of Transportation survey conducted between 2001–2005 found that 45 people died in DUI related crashes every day during the holiday season. This statistic has been declining over the years, but there’s more we can do. The best way to combat this tragic holiday trend is by keeping yourself and others from getting behind the wheel after drinking. If you plan on consuming any amount of alcohol at Thanksgiving dinner or a holiday party, it’s best to ensure you have a way home that doesn’t put you in the driver’s seat. If you’re hosting the festivities this year, don’t let a loved one drive home drunk. If worst comes to worst, you could get them a cab or offer them a place to spend the night and sober up. Even if you’re sober, being on the road during the holidays puts you at a heightened risk of being in a car accident. Drive defensively — don’t assume other drivers will respond quickly or rationally. This may not always save you from someone else’s negligent actions, but it can help keep you safe. If you do spot what looks to be an intoxicated driver, pull over and call the police. Do not attempt to address the situation yourself; you might put yourself and other drivers at risk. THE SAD TRUTH DON’T BE A STATISTIC WATCH FOR OTHERS
LEFTOVER THANKSGIVING DOG TREATS
Inspired by TwoHealthyKitchens.com
If the leftovers are your favorite part of Thanksgiving, then this recipe is for you! Show your dog how thankful you are for them with these post-feast dog treats.
INGREDIENTS
• 1/2 cup cooked sweet potatoes, plain and mashed • 3/4 cup water
• 1 egg • 2 cups cooked turkey, finely chopped • 2 cups whole wheat flour
DIRECTIONS 1. Heat oven to 350 F. 2. In a medium bowl, combine sweet potatoes, water, and egg. Add turkey and flour and stir again until dough is thick and sticky. 3. Use a rubber spreader to spread dough evenly on parchment-lined baking sheet, about 1/2-inch thick. Cut dough into small rectangles using a knife or pizza cutter. 4. Bake for 30 minutes, until the dog treats are lightly golden brown. 5. Remove from oven and let treats cool completely. Break treats apart along score lines. 6. Serve fresh or store in refrigerator for up to two weeks.
No one wants an empty chair at Thanksgiving dinner this year. Please, drive safe.
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Yeargan & Kert, LLC 1170 Peachtree Street Suite 1200 Atlanta, GA 30309 404-467-1747 AtlantaDUILawyer.com
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INSIDE
Thanking a Different Kind of Family
Bullet Journaling for Your Business Life After Arrest
A Holiday Tragedy Drinking Post-Feast Dog Treats
Stay in a Real Castle
THE REAL MAGIC KINGDOM CARCASSONNE
Every year, tourists flock to Disney’s “Magic Kingdom” and marvel at Cinderella’s iconic castle. As fun as it is to see this Florida-based attraction, it would be even more magical to step back in time and visit a real medieval citadel. What if you could walk the same ramparts as Roman legionnaires and climb the same towers as French kings? If this idea gives you goosebumps, pack your bags for Carcassonne, France. A four-hour train ride from Paris, towering above the rolling vineyards of southern France, you’ll find one of the most intact, accessible castles in Europe. With sweeping, concentric walls and 53 elegant towers, the Cité de Carcassonne is a breathtaking sight. Once an impenetrable border fortress between the kingdoms of France and Aragon, the gates now stand open to anyone curious enough to walk its cobblestone streets. In fact, you can stay in the ancient city yourself. The five-star Hotel de la Cité Carcassonne occupies a former bishop’s palace and overlooks the inner ramparts of the fortress. With medieval tapestries and gorgeous woodwork in the hotel’s interior, you’ll feel like you’re living among French royalty. Of course, if you’d prefer lodging with the commoners, plenty of quaint bed-and-breakfasts exist just across the Aude river.
With rustic cafes, fresh crepes, and bustling crowds making their way down the twisting cobblestone streets, the surface-level experience of Carcassonne would be enticing to anyone wanting to explore the French countryside. But for those who want to delve into the history of this storied castle, grand narratives await you. Just walking the walls of Carcassonne paints a picture of the past. While the outer fortifications were built by Louis IX and Phillip III, a section of the inner wall is far older. The red brick used in this part of the construction dates back to before the existence of France itself. Roman troops first fortified the hillside town around 100 BCE, giving every stone of this site a story to tell.
If you’ve ever dreamed of experiencing medieval life for yourself, your adventure awaits in Carcassonne.
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