Clayton Mom Tanja Hale Convicted for Lying

A Clayton County mother was convicted this week of lying about where she lived to send her child to another school district. Now, the woman is a convicted felon. The mother spoke out Saturday about a conviction she insists is unfair.

Tanja Hale decided not to hire a lawyer for her trial because she thought no jury would convict her. Hale said she has been punished, not for lying but for trying to be a responsible parent.

Henry County prosecutors said Hale lied in 2007. Prosecutors allege Hale was living in Clayton County, but signed an affidavit indicating she lived in McDonough and was eligible to send her son to Luella High School in Locust Grove.

Hale and her brother-in-law were convicted of making a false writing. Jurors reached a three day trial in which Hale and her brother-in-law represented themselves.

Hale and her brother-in-law were sentenced to five years probation and ordered to pay $1,000 in fines. The pair must also perform 100 hours of community service and pay the Henry County school district more than $1,000 in restitution.