Attorney Evan A. Watson's Legal Cases

Contracts and agreements

Civil Lawsuit Trial Directed Verdict

Sep 01, 2026

OUTCOME: Case Dismissed

I handle civil disputes with the same vigor as my criminal defense cases, knowing that even small claims can threaten a client’s professional reputation. I recently represented an industry veteran s ... ued in magistrate court by an ex-partner seeking over $4,000 for allegedly "loaned" property. Under Georgia law, a completed inter vivos gift—delivered and accepted with donor intent—is irrevocable and creates no obligation for repayment. To prove donor intent, we audited the parties' text history and identified direct admissions from the plaintiff characterizing the items as gifts. At trial, we used these messages to cross-examine and impeach the plaintiff's testimony. At the close of the plaintiff’s evidence, we moved for a directed verdict, arguing they failed to meet the preponderance of the evidence standard. The judge agreed and granted the motion, fully resolving the case without requiring our client to testify. If a former partner is using civil litigation to harass you, contact my office to discuss your defense.

Domestic violence

Case Dismissed and Record Restricted & Sealed for Local Business Owner

Jul 15, 2026

OUTCOME: Case Dismissed

When a prominent local business owner faced assault allegations following a domestic dispute, the immediate threat extended beyond potential criminal penalties to the client's commercial operations and ... professional reputation. Recognizing the necessity of a multi-front defense, our strategy focused on proactive mitigation while maintaining open, consistent communication with the prosecution: Business & Reputational Mitigation: We worked closely with the client from the onset to stabilize business operations, address personal matters, and document ongoing progress. Prosecutorial Engagement: Over several months, we maintained regular contact with the prosecutor, providing continuous updates regarding the client's proactive steps and the status of the relationship. Pretrial Diversion & Full Dismissal: Based on the documented mitigation and sustained negotiations, the state agreed to a tailored Pretrial Diversion program. The client completed all requirements within approximately 30 days, resulting in a full dismissal of the charges. Expungement & Media Removal: Following the dismissal, we successfully secured a complete record restriction, sealing, and ensured all references to the arrest were removed from local publication archives, including the Georgia Gazette.

DUI and DWI

Boating Under the Influence (BUI) Case Wiped Away

Apr 01, 2026

OUTCOME: Case Dismissed

When a staple member of the local boating community was arrested for Boating Under the Influence (BUI), the state's case appeared strong. Officers reported classic physical indicators of impairment, po ... or performance on standard field sobriety tests, and a post-arrest admission to alcohol and THC use given without Miranda warnings. Furthermore, the client’s refusal to submit to state chemical testing triggered a one-year suspension of their vessel operating privileges. I executed a targeted two-pronged defense strategy: Administrative License Defense: I contested the administrative suspension directly, successfully restoring my client's operating privileges and protecting their livelihood while the criminal case proceeded. Evidentiary Suppression: I filed targeted motions to suppress my client's post-arrest statements and the chemical test refusal based on constitutional violations. Faced with the exclusion of their key evidence, the prosecution evaluated the remaining record alongside my client's clean history and community standing. The state dismissed the BUI and registration compliance charges in full. My client resolved the matter with a plea to a single basic rules of the waterway violation—avoiding a BUI conviction, license loss, and career-damaging record. This outcome was achieved through thorough witness interviews, expert consultation, and rigorous pre-trial litigation. If you face BUI charges, contact my office to build your defense.

DUI and DWI

2026 Forsyth DUI Marijuana Jury Trial Acquittal

Mar 15, 2026

OUTCOME: NOT GUILTY.

My client was pulled over for a lane violation while merging onto Georgia 400 at Veterans Memorial Parkway. After field sobriety evaluations, the officer charged DUI Less Safe based on alleged impairme ... nt from cannabis use. Blood testing revealed elevated THC levels. At trial, I cross-examined the officer's investigation and exposed critical gaps and misinterpretations in his findings. Crucially, I leveraged the prosecution's own toxicologist, who conceded that THC blood concentration cannot reliably correlate to impairment, regardless of the levels. Without that evidentiary link, the State's case collapsed. A six-person jury deliberated less than thirty minutes and returned not guilty verdicts on DUI Less Safe and failure to maintain lane.

DUI and DWI

2026 Forsyth DUI Less Safe Jury Trial Acquittal

Mar 11, 2026

OUTCOME: NOT GUILTY.

My client was stopped late at night and charged with DUI Less Safe and Failure to Maintain Lane after deputies claimed they crossed the solid white line and displayed numerous signs of impairment after ... stumbling out of a local gas station before driving off in her vehicle. Four law enforcement officers were involved in the stop and investigation. The State's case rested heavily on the officers' written accounts and the results of a Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus (HGN) test administered roadside. The defense strategy was straightforward: put the video against the words. When the body camera and dash camera footage was compared to what the officers wrote in their reports and said on the witness stand, the conflicts were significant and consistent. What the deputies described in their narratives did not always match what the cameras actually captured. The HGN test administration was also challenged directly. The field notes reflected that the administering officer repeatedly stopped and restarted the evaluation, that my client was distracted by the officer's headlights during critical phases of the test, and that the officer ultimately scored only 2 out of a possible 6 clues, an incomplete evaluation conducted under conditions that compromised its reliability. The Walk and Turn and One Leg Stand tests were refused and never completed, leaving the jury with a partial, disputed HGN as the only field sobriety evidence. (This evidence was not admitted in the trial due to the Georgia Supreme Courts ruling in the Ammons case.) The jury deliberated for approximately 90 minutes and returned a unanimous Not Guilty verdict on both charges.

Trucking accident

Dekalb County Misdemeanor Traffic Jury Trial

Mar 01, 2025

OUTCOME: NOT GUILTY.

After a 1-day trial, the Dekalb County jury acquitted my client of causing a traffic accident in his commercial vehicle. This not guilty verdict was achieved through cross examination of the investiga ... ting officer and the other vehicle's occupants.

Criminal defense

Gwinnett County Felony Theft Trial

Feb 01, 2025

OUTCOME: NOT GUILTY.

After a two-day trial in 2025, a Gwinnett County jury acquitted my client of felony theft charges. This not guilty verdict was accomplished by cross examination of the state's victim, secondary witnes ... ses, and investigating cops.

Criminal defense

Forsyth County Daycare Battery Worker Jury Trial

Oct 01, 2024

OUTCOME: NOT GUILTY.

After a 2-day trial, a Forsyth County jury acquitted my client of battery at a local daycare, arising from allegations they struck the child in an effort to punish or discipline the child. This result ... was achieved through cross examination of the state's witnesses, including investigating officers, the child's parent, and daycare administration. Further, the client testified in her own defense.

Criminal defense

Sandy Springs v Client

Jan 15, 2015

OUTCOME: Not Guilty

In late 2014, client was charged with loitering and prowling for sitting in a parked vehicle in the lot of a closed local business. Upon arrival, the investigating officer determined the client's reas ... oning for being in the lot was less than satisfactory and cited client for L&P. Client's co defendant pled guilty and paid a fine and other conditions. After a bench trial in Sandy Springs, the client was found Not Guilty of the offense.

DUI and DWI

State of Georgia v. Client

Jan 01, 2015

OUTCOME: Not Guilty

Client charged with running a stop sign and DUI. After running a stop sign, client was investigated for DUI and eventually arrested. After arrest, client refused to take a breath test for the level o ... f alcohol in his system. With the help of an expert witness who testified about the officer's administration of field sobriety tests, the client was found Not Guilty of the DUI in a bench trial in Forsyth County and paid a $200 fine for running the stop sign.

Evan A. Watson's Legal Cases (22)

Civil Lawsuit Trial Directed Verdict

Case Dismissed and Record Restricted & Sealed for Local Business Owner

Boating Under the Influence (BUI) Case Wiped Away

2026 Forsyth DUI Marijuana Jury Trial Acquittal

2026 Forsyth DUI Less Safe Jury Trial Acquittal

Dekalb County Misdemeanor Traffic Jury Trial

Gwinnett County Felony Theft Trial

Forsyth County Daycare Battery Worker Jury Trial

Sandy Springs v Client

State of Georgia v. Client