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The Atlanta Municipal Court ruled last week to force the demolition of the Sierra Ridge apartment complex in southwest Atlanta, considered a “haven for excessive criminal activity” by the Atlanta Police Department.
In August 2017, the City of Atlanta filed a nuisance petition against the property, alleging it was “unfit for human habitation and heavily crime-ridden.” Owners agreed to make necessary repairs and renovations. However, in March 2018, the City filed a contempt motion against the property owners for failing to comply with the consent order.
Last week, Municipal Court Chief Judge Christopher T. Portis ordered the demolition of the property within 90 days. Atlanta Police Chief Erika Shields hailed the judge’s order as a victory in the City’s fight against crime:
“We know that these properties are, indeed, a haven for crime and we applaud Judge Portis recognizing that the only real option here was to order the demolition of this property. We hope other irresponsible property owners will take notice and work to provide clean, respectable housing for its residents.”
Apartment Owner Responsibility and Resident Rights
Georgia apartment residents have a right to protect their families and feel safe and secure in their homes. By law, Georgia apartment owners have a responsibility to protect their residents from violent crime, sexual assault, and foreseeable harm.
Victims of Georgia Apartment Assault or Injury: What Are My Legal Options for Justice and Compensation?
As each case and property is unique, victims of apartment crime should speak with an experienced security negligence firm as soon as possible to ensure all evidence, such as surveillance footage or broken lighting, is preserved and their best interests are protected.
We Fight for Victims of Apartment Security Negligence in Georgia. Contact us Now for a Free Consultation.
The Murray Law Firm has recovered millions of dollars for victims of unsafe properties in Georgia, and recently obtained a $29.25 million dollar verdict for one of our Clients in Fulton County State Court.
We represent our Clients on a contingency agreement, which generally means that no fees or payments are owed until and unless we recover. Anyone seeking further information or legal representation is encouraged to contact us via e-mail (click here) or by telephone at 888.842.1616. Consultations are free and confidential.
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Selecting the right attorney for you or your family is highly important. You must feel confident that the attorney you hire has a complete understanding of the law applicable to your particular case, and has successful experience in handling such cases.
Important: Do not hire a lawyer who has violated the Rules of Professional Conduct!!!
You should not hire an attorney who calls you or visits you unsolicited, or anyone that contacts you directly to offer legal services. This activity is strictly prohibited by Rule 7.3 of the American Bar Association (ABA) Model Rules of Professional Conduct, which states as follows:
– RULE 7.3, ABA MODEL RULES OF PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT.
If an attorney, or someone acting on behalf of an attorney, contacts you in this manner, that attorney is in violation of this Rule. This unethical and unprofessional activity on the part of the lawyer is good sign that you should stay away. It is imperative that you are represented by an attorney who is capable of advocating for you within the confines of the law, and an attorney who fails to abide by the Rules of Professional Conduct is probably not the best fit. In fact, any such attorney should be immediately reported to the local State Bar Association. If you have been contacted in such an unsolicited manner, contact us and we’ll assist you in filing a report.
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