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Name:
Hagans, Tawaine Jamar
Date of Booking:
05/15/2026
Reason(s) For Booking:
DRIVER TO EXERCISE DUE CARE
DUI
Officer’s Narrative:
[Please note: The following is a direct transcription from the official initial incident report. The Georgia Gazette does not fix any spelling or grammatical errors that may exist. Any changes or redactions made by our staff are placed inside brackets. Some errors may exist. All subjects are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. The topics discussed may be sensitive to some readers. Discretion is advised.]
On Friday May 15, 2026 at 1741 hours, Sgt. Farthing was traveling South on Highway 68 South in marked patrol vehicle. During that time, Sgt. Farthing observed a White Ford F-150 traveling North bound. Sgt. Farthing observed the vehicle exit the right side of roadway and then crossed center line into Sgt. Farthing’s lane of travel. Sgt. Farthing turned around to stop vehicle and observed vehicle weaving on the roadway. Sgt. Farthing initiated stop on vehicle bearing GA tag [REDACTED].
Sgt. Farthing made contact with driver identified as Tawaine Hagans. Sgt. Farthing observed that Hagans was eating and still had a strong odor of alcoholic beverage coming from him. Sgt. Farthing advised Hagans reason for the stop and noticed he also had blood shot, glassy eyes. Hagans advised that he was eating his frog legs and did not mean to cross over line. Hagans had slurried speech.
Sgt. Farthing asked Hagans if he was willing to do Field Soberity Test and Hagans agreed. Hagans stepped from truck, and immediately was unstable on his feet swaying and slightly stumbling while walking towards rear of vehicle.
Sgt. Farthing first check HGN in which Hagans showed 6 clues. Pupils were equal in size and Sgt. Farthing checked for equal tracking. Hagans had 2 clues for Lack of smooth pursuit each eye. Distinct and Sustained Nystagmus at Maximum Deviation had 2 clues. Onset of Nystagmus Prior to 45 Degrees showed Nystagmus in both eyes prior to 45 degrees. There was no Vertical Nystagmus visible.
During Walk and Turn Test Hagans showed 8 Clues. Hagans was unable to balance during instructional stage. Hagans kept trying to start before instructions were done. Hagans stopped twice during test. Hagans missed 3 heel to toe steps. Hagans stepped off line twice and used arms to balance. Hagans did not take series of small steps to make turn with forward foot planted. Hagans took 10 steps instead of instructed 9.
During One Leg Stand Test Hagans showed 3 Clues. Hagans was swaying during test. Hagans used arms for balance and put foot down before 30 seconds elapsed.
After Hagans completed test, Sgt. Farthing retrieved PBT from patrol vehicle and inserted new straw. Hagans provided breath sample which gave a positive reading for alcohol (.148).
Sgt. Farthing placed Hagans in cuffs and doubled locked and escorted him to rear of Sgt. Farthing’s patrol vehicle. Sgt. Farthing read Georgia Implied Consent in which Hagans refused to have blood test. Sgt. Farthing reread Georgia Implied Consent in which Hagans refused also to do breath test.
Sgt. Farthing transported Hagans to Sheriff’s Office and turned him over to jail staff. DDS1205 form was filled out. Sgt. Farthing issued citations for DUI and Failure to Exercise Due care. Hagans was given warning for Failure to Maintain Lane. Sgt. Raley stood by with vehicle until wife retrieved it.
[End of Narrative]
All information is sourced directly from the official, public court database. Case history is organized and curated by The Georgia Gazette staff. The “What this means:” explanations are written by AI and reviewed by our staff before publishing.
Court records are subject to change at the court’s discretion. The Georgia Gazette is not responsible for errors or omissions. Nothing here is legal advice. All individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
Case History:
5/16/26
TAWAINE JAMAR HAGANS RELEASED ON APPEARANCE BOND — $1,850
What this means: Tawaine Jamar Hagans was released from custody after an appearance bond of $1,850 was posted on May 16, 2026, in Washington County. The bond was signed by a surety and approved by Washington County Sheriff Joel Cochran. As a condition of the bond, Tawaine Jamar Hagans is required to appear at Washington County State Court on July 27, 2026, at 9:00 AM to answer to the charges of DUI and Failure to Exercise Due Care. If the defendant fails to appear, the bond can be forfeited.
6/1/26
DEFENSE ATTORNEY ENTERS APPEARANCE — TAWAINE JAMAR HAGANS PLEADS NOT GUILTY
What this means: On June 1, 2026, attorney D. Benjamin Sessions (State Bar No. 141280) filed paperwork in Washington County State Court officially entering his appearance as defense counsel for Tawaine Jamar Hagans in Case No. STWR2026000136. At the same time, Tawaine Jamar Hagans waived formal arraignment — meaning the defendant chose to skip the in-court reading of the charges — and entered a plea of not guilty. The defense also asked the court for permission to file additional motions after reviewing evidence provided by the State.
6/1/26
DEFENSE FILES MOTION FOR DISCOVERY AND NOTICE TO PRODUCE
What this means: Also on June 1, 2026, attorney D. Benjamin Sessions filed a Motion for Discovery and Notice to Produce on behalf of Tawaine Jamar Hagans in Washington County State Court. This motion formally requests that the State turn over all evidence in its possession that may be relevant to the case — including any witness statements favorable to the defense, written reports, physical evidence, results of chemical tests or breath testing machine records, audio or video recordings, and any other materials that could help or hurt the defense’s case. Under established legal precedent, the prosecution is required to share evidence that could be favorable to the defendant. This is a standard step in the pretrial process that allows the defense to review what the State intends to use against Tawaine Jamar Hagans.
7/29/26
FORMAL ACCUSATION FILED — TWO COUNTS AGAINST TAWAINE JAMAR HAGANS
What this means: On July 29, 2026, Washington County Solicitor General Carl S. Cansino formally filed an accusation — the official charging document — against Tawaine Jamar Hagans in the State Court of Washington County, Georgia, under Case No. STSR2026001085. The accusation contains two counts, both misdemeanors, stemming from an incident on May 15, 2026, at or near GA Highway 68 S. near Burdett Road in Washington County.
Count 1 charges Tawaine Jamar Hagans with DUI — Alcohol Less Safe, alleging that the defendant drove or was in physical control of a moving vehicle while under the influence of alcohol to the extent that it was less safe to drive, in violation of O.C.G.A. 40-6-391(a)(1).
Count 2 charges Tawaine Jamar Hagans with Failure to Exercise Due Care, alleging that the defendant operated a motor vehicle at the same location without exercising due care, in violation of O.C.G.A. 40-6-241(b).
These are accusations only. Tawaine Jamar Hagans is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.
8/4/26
ACCUSATION E-FILED WITH WASHINGTON COUNTY STATE COURT CLERK
What this means: The accusation signed by Solicitor General Carl S. Cansino on July 29, 2026, was officially e-filed with the Clerk of State Court of Washington County, Georgia, on August 4, 2026, at 3:43 PM, and assigned Case No. STSR2026001085. This is the point at which the charges became part of the official court record.
8/11/26
STATE FILES RESPONSE TO DISCOVERY REQUEST
What this means: On August 11, 2026, the State filed its response to the defense’s Motion for Discovery and Notice to Produce, which attorney D. Benjamin Sessions had submitted on June 1, 2026, on behalf of Tawaine Jamar Hagans. This means the prosecution turned over — or formally responded to — the defense’s request for evidence and materials related to the case.
9/21/26
JUDGE VOLUNTARILY RECUSES FROM TAWAINE JAMAR HAGANS CASE
What this means: On September 21, 2026, the judge previously assigned to the case filed a voluntary order of recusal, meaning the judge stepped aside from presiding over the matter. A voluntary recusal means the judge chose to remove themselves — no party had to formally request it. The case would need to be reassigned to a different judge before proceedings could continue.
9/25/26
NEW JUDGE ASSIGNED — HON. MONIQUE WALKER
What this means: Following the September 21 recusal, the court issued an order on September 25, 2026, assigning Hon. Monique Walker as the new presiding judge in the case against Tawaine Jamar Hagans in Washington County State Court.
9/28/26
BENCH TRIAL DATE PASSED — NOT HELD DUE TO RECUSAL ORDER
What this means: A bench trial — a trial decided by a judge rather than a jury — had been scheduled for September 28, 2026, at 9:00 AM in Washington County State Court. That proceeding did not go forward, as the recusal order filed on September 21 disrupted the scheduled date. The case will need a new trial date to be set before it can move forward.
11/9/26
BENCH TRIAL STATUS PENDING — NEW DATE NOT YET CONFIRMED
What this means: As of November 9, 2026, a bench trial was on the calendar for 9:00 AM in Washington County State Court, but it had not yet been confirmed whether a new bench trial date has been formally scheduled with the newly assigned judge. The status of the trial date for Tawaine Jamar Hagans remains an open question as the case continues.