01/18/2026
Free legal advice for 2026. Lessons from 2025
I want to share some MORE free legal advice based on issues I encountered with clients over the past year that might help in 2026. (Check out 2025 below as well)
1. Keep your mouth shut. What do I mean? If someone cuts you off in traffic, says something stupid or mean to you, or wants to argue with you over something meaningless (in person or online), just let it go. Similarly, if you are leaving a bar downtown, don't use the opportunity to tell a police officer your thoughts on any subject. It is amazing how many pointless interactions result in people getting arrested when they could be avoided by simply ignoring the other person, their attitude, or the circumstances you create. You don't have to have an opinion about everything, and you certainly don't need to get arrested by interacting with someone when the law becomes involved.
2. Keep your hands to yourself. Following up on 1. Don't touch, hit, or drive your car at anyone. Sometimes you think you know someone, sometimes you don't, but the law really has zero tolerance for any of this stuff, and the person making the complaint isn't going to get arrested, the vast majority of the time. Don't give the law a reason to arrest you.
3. Cameras are EVERYWHERE, and your cell phone will tell on you. You should have no expectation of privacy in public spaces. You cannot drive a vehicle anywhere without law enforcement being able to see your vehicle at most every intersection. Your cellphone is law enforcement's favorite tool for accessing, and they can use it to see who, what, when, and where you are doing anything and everything. The main themes of "1984" are the dangers of totalitarianism, mass surveillance, and government control, and we are there.
4. People are looking to rip you off. If you get a call that someone is in jail and needs bond, you missed jury duty, or otherwise you need to pay money over the phone from someone calling you, it is very likely a scam. Don't give them anything. Call the police, but don't expect them to do anything. The prevalence of this is the stated reason that the Columbia County Sheriff's Office no longer lists people in custody online. Scammers are looking up recently arrested people, finding out who their family is, and then ripping them off, telling them the person in custody needs bond money.
5. Be nice to the police. They are doing a job. If you run from, lie to, fight with, or are just generally difficult, they will remember. On the flip side, if you are just not a jerk, they will remember that too. It is one of the first things I ask law enforcement about when I start talking about a case with them, and it can mean the difference between being arrested at all, making bond or not, and getting a charge reduced or dismissed
6. You can be "guilty" by association. If it is being in a car with four people and a small quantity of drugs, being associated with a "gang" at any level, or getting caught up with a group of people doing something illegal, everyone can get arrested, no matter your level of direct involvement, and it can ruin your life. Avoid associating with, riding with, or being around anyone who is involved in anything that might be illegal or suspicious, as law enforcement will likely arrest everyone and let prosecutors sort it out, which is a lengthy, arbitrary, and expensive process.
Good luck out there in 2026. Stay safe. As always, if you have any legal issues, please feel free to contact our office.
With locations in Evans and Downtown Augusta, we are here to serve clients with over twenty-five years of experience representing individuals in the following core areas:
Criminal defense
Wrongful death
Serious personal injury
Whistle-blower cases
Civil rights matters
Equestrian-related cases
Firearms-related matters
We look forward to assisting you with your legal needs.
