Underage Drinking & Possession Among Top Legal Issues Facing Teens and Young Adults, According to GA Criminal Lawyer

April 11, 2025 at 14:21 PM EDT

Georgia Defense Attorney Paul Ghanouni, Shares Crucial Advice for Young People Facing Arrests During Spring Break Festivities

(PRUnderground) April 11th, 2025

With spring break approaching, many young people in Cobb County will have increased free time and potentially less supervision. This combination can sometimes lead to poor decisions and even criminal charges. Paul Ghanouni, a leading criminal defense attorney serving Marietta, Kennesaw, Smyrna and the greater Cobb County area, is offering advice to local youth on how to handle an arrest if things go wrong.

“Periods of free time like spring break can present unique challenges for young people, as decreased supervision can sometimes lead to risky behavior,” said Ghanouni, Founder and Managing Attorney at the Ghanouni Teen & Young Adult Defense Firm. “Underage drinking, public intoxication, disorderly conduct, DUI, possession – these charges can affect young adults at any time of year. One youthful mistake shouldn’t derail a young person’s future. It’s crucial they understand their rights and options if they do end up facing criminal or juvenile charges.”

Most Common Crimes That Lead to Arrests Among Young Adults

According to 2023 crime statistics from the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, over 40% of those arrested for crimes like DUI, public drunkenness, possession, and disorderly conduct were ages 30 and under.

For Cobb County youth facing charges, some all too common scenarios include:

Underage Alcohol Possession

Arrests for underage possession of alcohol are common at parties, gatherings, and even college campus events. In Georgia, it is illegal for anyone under 21 to purchase, attempt to purchase, or knowingly possess alcoholic beverages, with limited exceptions.

Drunk Driving Charges

DUI charges often arise when young people try to drive home after having alcohol with friends. Georgia has a very low standard for charging drivers under 21 with a DUI.

Controlled Substance Charges

Possession of illegal substances is another common offense that can lead to serious criminal charges for people in their teens and twenties. The penalties increase for possession with intent to distribute.

Disorderly Conduct & Public Intoxication Arrests

Disorderly conduct and public intoxication charges frequently occur when rowdy, drunken behavior gets out of hand. This can include loud boisterous behavior that disturbs the peace and other obnoxious public behavior.

Assault & Battery Charges

Arrests for assault and battery typically result when someone lets their ego drive their behavior over common sense. Assault charges usually stem from committing some sort of an act that places someone in fear of receiving an injury, while battery charges involve some sort of physical contact with another person.

“It is an unfortunate situation when young people feel like the way to solve a dispute is through violence,” said Ghanouni. “And it only gets worse when those young people are facing long-term consequences that can impact their record and their future.”

5 Steps to Take If You or A Loved One is Arrested in Cobb County

The experienced criminal defense team at Ghanouni Teen & Young Adult Defense Firm recommends following these steps if you or your child is arrested:

Stay calm. Don’t physically resist arrest or escalate the situation. Comply with basic demands but avoid volunteering any extra information.
Invoke your right to remain silent. Tell the officer you are invoking your right to remain silent and do not wish to answer any questions without an attorney present. Don’t argue or try to talk your way out of it.
Contact an experienced criminal defense attorney ASAP. Inform police you won’t be answering any questions without consulting an attorney first. Contact a law firm experienced in juvenile and young adult crimes immediately.
Avoid discussing your case with anyone except your lawyer. Don’t talk about your arrest or charges on social media or with friends. Assume anything you say to anyone besides your legal team could be used against you.
Have your attorney present for all interviews and court hearings. Do not speak to police, prosecutors, or a judge without your defense counsel by your side to protect your rights and advise you.

“Our firm focuses exclusively on helping defend people in their teens and twenties who are facing juvenile, criminal, and school disciplinary matters,” said Ghanouni. “We understand the impact a single mistake can have on a young person’s life, and we take that responsibility extremely seriously. Our mission is to minimize those impacts and help our clients move forward in a positive direction.”

For more information or to schedule a confidential consultation, contact the Ghanouni Teen & Young Adult Defense Firm by visiting www.pglawoffice.com.

About Ghanouni Teen & Young Adult Defense Firm

Paul Ghanouni is a Cobb County criminal and juvenile defense attorney and the founder of the Ghanouni Teen & Young Adult Defense Firm. With a focus on representing people in their teens and twenties facing juvenile, criminal, and school disciplinary charges, Ghanouni and his team are committed to protecting their clients’ rights and futures. The firm handles a wide range of cases, including drug offenses, DUI, theft crimes, violent offenses, and more.

Address
Cobb County Criminal Defense Lawyers
2765 S Main St,Suite C-2
Kennesaw
GA 30144

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