Judge accepts First Offender pleas for two defendants; sentences include probation and treatment

Judge Tammy Long Hayward accepted First Offender pleas from Jeffrey Goins and Darius Lagun Weddington during the Dec. 4, 2025 arraignment calendar in Courtroom 304. In both matters the state presented factual bases and recommended dispositions that the court accepted.

Jeffrey Goins (case 2023CR02042) pled guilty under the First Offender Act to a family-violence battery charge; Judge Hayward accepted the plea, sentencing him to 12 months with 1 day to serve (credit for time served) and probating the balance contingent on completion of anger-management classes and 40 hours of community service, plus an order of no violent or harassing contact with the victim. The judge explained that probation could terminate as soon as Goins completed the special conditions and encouraged him to complete required conditions promptly. Goins told the court he works at Amazon and is pursuing CDL training.

Darius Lagun Weddington (2023CR02027) entered a First Offender plea to simple battery. The state recommended 12 months with 2 days to serve (credit for time served) with the balance probated, a suspended $300 fine conditioned on completion of 40 hours of community service, and no contact with the victim. The judge accepted that recommendation and instructed Weddington to sign up with probation (Miss James in Courtroom 305) and to complete the special conditions promptly so probation could terminate early.

In both plea hearings the court warned defendants about immigration consequences of pleas, the limits of self-representation at trial, and the consequences of failing to comply with probation conditions (including possible adjudication of guilt and reinstatement of sentences). The judge repeatedly advised defendants to provide contact information to the clerk’s office by Zoom chat so probation and payment paperwork could be sent and completed.