Man pleads no contest to reckless driving; judge imposes probation and defensive driving requirement

Julius C. Beckwith Jr. entered a nolo contendere plea to reckless driving (count 1) in Clayton County State Court on Jan. 13, 2025, in case 2019CR08756. Judge Tammy Long Hayward accepted the plea after the court confirmed the defendant understood the rights he waived by pleading no contest.

Assistant prosecutor Shurana Haegler recited the factual basis: on Aug. 31, 2019, Officer Andy Laura responded to a crash on Highway 42 and found Beckwith had run off the roadway into a ditch and overturned, damaging parked vehicles. The state recommended a 12‑month sentence with credit for five days already served, probated balance, a defensive driving course and a $100 fine (surcharges making total $151.50), and the state had no objection to early probation termination after six months.

Defense counsel Owen Lynch confirmed the defendant’s agreement to the terms and said Beckwith would complete the Georgia Department of Driver Services-approved driver improvement course. Judge Hayward accepted the nolo plea, imposed 12 months with 5 days credit for time served, ordered the balance probated, required completion of a defensive driving/driver improvement course acceptable to the Department of Driver Services, and assessed the fine with surcharges. The judge instructed Beckwith to report to probation for intake and to visit courthouse probation staff before leaving the courtroom to obtain further instructions.

Judge Hayward warned that a plea could affect immigration status for noncitizens and reviewed the constitutional rights the defendant waived by pleading no contest. The court entered the disposition on the record and provided guidance on how Beckwith would receive paperwork and complete required conditions.