High and Aggravated
In another ugly display of legal ignorance, Big Burke's latest "article" entitled, Jury service - more pay, tougher penalties, talks about proposed legislation regarding increased pay for jurors as well as criminalizing missed jury service. He says regarding a third offense, "Actually, a $1,500.00 fine would make the third offense a felony, as a misdemeanor can only carry a fine of up to $1,000.00." Actually, that's wrong. A casual reading of O.C.G.A. 17-10-4 reveals that a misdemeanor of a high and aggravated nature can be punished by a fine of up to $5,000.00. Would somebody who has actually read the Code of Georgia PLEASE run against Big Burke!
In case anybody thought last week's article was a slip up, Big Bird was at it again this week with How fines and fees are imposed in Georgia in which he says, "A misdemeanor can have a maximum fine of $1,000.00 ... If the fine is more than $1,000.00 for a single count then you know it was a felony." At least he is consistent in his ignorance.