What You Need to Know About Georgia Traffic Tickets: Protect Your Rights
Many cities, towns, and counties throughout Georgia fund their jurisdictions by issuing traffic tickets and citations. These tickets can add up quickly, but if you’re one of the many people who receive a citation, you should know your rights. Paying that ticket without understanding the legal consequences could cost you more than just money. In fact, once you pay your citation, you’re essentially pleading guilty to the offense.
Why You Shouldn’t Pay a Ticket Right Away
Paying a traffic ticket might seem like the easiest solution, but it has serious legal consequences. Once you submit payment, it is considered an admission of guilt, which can lead to:
- Points on your driving record: Accumulating points can result in higher insurance premiums or even the suspension of your license.
- Fines and fees: Georgia cities and counties often rely on traffic fines for funding, and paying without a fight adds to their coffers.
- Potential impact on your career: Some jobs require a clean driving record, and pleading guilty could hurt your employment prospects.
You Have the Right to a Defense
Receiving a traffic ticket doesn’t mean you are automatically guilty. You have the right to a defense, and it’s important to exercise that right by consulting with an attorney before paying any fines. An attorney can help you:
- Understand the specific charges: Traffic laws can be complicated, and the exact nature of your violation might not be clear at first glance.
- Explore legal options: An attorney can negotiate reduced charges, dismissals, or alternative penalties like defensive driving courses.
- Protect your driving record: A lawyer may be able to reduce or eliminate the points added to your license, helping you avoid insurance hikes or license suspension.
The Importance of Acting Quickly
Don’t wait to address your traffic ticket. Delaying could limit your legal options, especially if a court date has already been set. The sooner you consult with an attorney, the more likely they are to help you avoid unnecessary penalties. Remember, once you pay the citation, you’ve officially pled guilty.
Conclusion
Traffic tickets may seem like a minor inconvenience, but the legal consequences can be far-reaching. Before paying your citation, contact David who can help you navigate Georgia’s traffic laws, protect your driving record, and explore options for your defense. Don’t let a ticket damage your driving record or your future. Get the legal help you need today.
Facing a DUI in Georgia is a serious matter with significant consequences. Georgia’s DUI laws are strict, and the penalties can have lasting impacts on your life. Understanding what lies ahead is crucial if you’ve been charged with driving under the influence (DUI) in Georgia.
Georgia’s DUI laws, outlined in O.C.G.A. § 40-6-391, make it illegal to operate a vehicle with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.08% or higher. For commercial drivers, the limit is 0.04%, and for drivers under 21, it’s just 0.02%. This zero-tolerance stance reflects Georgia’s commitment to reducing DUI-related accidents.
First-time DUI offenders in Georgia may face fines ranging from $300 to $1,000, up to one year in jail (often converted to probation), mandatory attendance at a DUI Alcohol or Drug Risk Reduction Program, and a license suspension of up to one year. Georgia also has a “look-back” period of ten years, meaning any subsequent DUI within that time is treated as a repeat offense with more severe penalties.
For a second DUI in Georgia within ten years, penalties escalate, including fines up to $1,000, a minimum of 48 hours in jail, and a three-year license suspension. Additional consequences include the installation of an ignition interlock device and a more intensive substance abuse treatment requirement.
A third DUI within ten years is classified as a high and aggravated misdemeanor in Georgia. Penalties include fines between $1,000 and $5,000, a minimum of 15 days in jail, a five-year license revocation, and public listing as a habitual violator in the local newspaper. The court may also mandate community service and a clinical substance abuse evaluation.
Beyond legal penalties, a DUI conviction in Georgia can affect employment opportunities, insurance rates, and professional licenses. Employers often conduct background checks, and a DUI on your record may deter them from hiring. Insurance premiums typically spike after a DUI, with some insurers discontinuing coverage altogether. Social and professional circles may also be impacted by a DUI conviction.
Georgia’s “implied consent” law means that by driving in the state, you’ve agreed to submit to chemical tests if law enforcement suspects DUI. Refusing a test can result in an automatic one-year license suspension, regardless of whether you’re convicted of a DUI.
If you’re facing a DUI charge in Georgia, consulting with an experienced DUI attorney is essential. A knowledgeable lawyer can guide you through the legal process, work to reduce charges, and help minimize the impact on your life. Every case is unique, so it’s important to get advice tailored to your situation.
In summary, a DUI in Georgia carries severe penalties and long-lasting effects. Whether it’s your first charge or you’re dealing with multiple offenses, understanding the legal landscape and securing skilled legal representation is key to protecting your rights and future.
If you need help with a DUI in Georgia, contact us. David has over 20 years helping drivers with a wide variety of driving violations, including DUIs.
10 Tips To Beating a Ticket in GA
Georgia is tough on drivers. If you are stopped for any type of offense, there are things you can do to mitigate your chances of getting a ticket or being arrested or both. Here is a list of things you can do to help if you get pulled over.
- Don’t be a jerk to the police officer. Show your driver’s license and other paperwork without giving the officer a hassle. He’s more likely to give you a warning.
- Request a Court Date. On your ticket, you can pay or you can choose to go to court. While you may be tempted to simply choose to pay, that is a guilty plea. Do not do this.
- Consider Your Driving Record. If you have a clean driving record, you are more likely to succeed.
- If you get the ticket and go to court, be sure to get to Court ON TIME. This is critical. You want to be there and be ready when your case is called the first time.
- Silence Your Cell Phone. Another practical, common sense thing but everyone seems to forget this one. It bears repeating. Silence it, or turn it off if you need to do so.
- Guilty or Not Guilty – When the judge asks which way you plead, he isn’t looking for a story. He doesn’t want any excuses. He needs only the answer to that question so he knows if he needs to sentence you immediately (fines, etc) or whether to have your case heard.
- Is the Witness There? Often the police officer is the only witness against you. If he is not there, you have a much better chance of the case being dismissed. However, do not ask this when the judge asks whether you plead guilty or not guilty. This is likely to annoy the judge or alert someone to go find the officer. This is one of the big reasons that having a lawyer with you matters. He can find out about the police officer quickly and do it where it’s less likely to cause an issue.
- Does the cop remember you? Back in the first point, I suggested not being a jerk to the officer. Not only does this help overall but here is where it really plays out. If you were just an average person, another ticket on the street, he is likely to have forgotten you, which plays in your favor. Another reason to have a lawyer at this point is that he will know exactly how to determine this by asking the right questions.
- Can a Motion Be Made for Dismissal? Sometimes there are issues with the ticket itself, or even the process. An experienced traffic lawyer can point these out.
- Don’t Wait to Get a Lawyer. Having a lawyer on your side is money well spent when protecting your driving record. If you feel you want to fight the ticket but aren’t sure about any part of the process, seek out an experienced lawyer who can give you a free review.
David can review your ticket and help you determine if you have a valid case. The important thing to remember is that you don’t want to pay for the ticket until you have had the ticket reviewed. It may be in your best interest to simply pay but it also could lead to bigger problems now, or down the road. Know your options. You can upload your citation for a review at
legalpatriot.com 
Large trucks cause a number of auto accidents on the highways and roads in Georgia. Because of the increased potential of harm, or even death that can result from these accidents, Georgia holds CDL drivers to much higher standards than someone with a regular driving license. While one or two traffic violations may be minor when driving your regular automobile, that’s not the case with a CDL violation. There are some cases where only one or two GA Commercial Driver’s License Violations can result in the loss of a license, either temporarily or permanently. Having violations on your GA CDL license can also mean the loss of a job or the inability to get a job driving.
Major Traffic Violations
Under Georgia CDL law, a major violation results in a one-year suspension of your CDL on the first offense and a permanent commercial driver’s license disqualification on the second offense. Major violations include:
- Alcohol or drug-related violations such as a DUI
- Refusing a field sobriety test/alcohol blood testing
- Leaving the scene of an accident involving a CMV(commercial motor vehicle)
- Committing a felony with a vehicle
- Driving with a suspended or revoked CDL
- Fatality caused by negligent driving
Serious Traffic Violations
Receiving two serious traffic violations while driving a commercial vehicle within three years can result in a 60 day suspension, and a third within 3 years results in a 120 day suspension. Serious traffic violations include:
- Speeding greater than 15 MPH over the posted limit
- Improper lane changes
- Reckless driving
- Following too closely
- Driving violation leading to a fatality
- Not having a valid CDL for the specific type of vehicle being driven
If you have a CDL and receive a ticket in Georgia don’t wait to contact an experienced lawyer. Waiting can mean fines, fees and/or a loss of your CDL driving privileges. If you receive a violation on one of the following, you can upload your citation on our website for a review.
- Speeding(15 mph or more above the posted limit)
- Georgia Super Speeder Violations
- Following Too Closely
- Reckless or Careless Driving
- Auto insurance violations
- Wrong Lane or improper lane changes
- Load weight violations
- Failure to obey traffic control devices
- Failure to stop
- Equipment violations
- Off Truck Route
- Operating a commercial vehicle without proof of holding a valid CDL
- Driving a rig without the proper endorsement
Many of these violations can be lowered so that you do not lose your driving ability. Contact David today to discuss your situation or upload your citation on our website for a free case review.
Is Fighting A CDL Ticket Advisable?
Hiring a traffic attorney to fight for you in against a CDL driving offense in GA is definitely worth the money. To be employed as a CDL driver, most employers will require that you have a clean driving record. Having any type of record for driving violations, especially those while employed as a CDL driver can harm your chances at securing a good job or even being promoted where you current work.
When you contact David Crawford, he understands that you only have one driving record. He understands the importance of working to reduce your violation and any points that may be associated with that ticket. He works to reduce fines and fees for speeding, violations of the move over law, improper lane changes, or even load violations. He can also assist you if you have been cited or arrested for driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
Georgia’s court system is tough on commercial drivers. Having an attorney work for you can help with your options. Because of how quickly the violations on a driving record can affect you, fighting a CDL ticket is advisable. You can contact David and upload your citation here by visiting our home page.
Georgia has some interesting traffic laws and while you do not need to know everything about them, you should know what happens if you do not pay your ticket in Georgia. Failure to pay your citation will likely get your driving privileges suspended. The Georgia Department of Drivers Services (DDS) will mail you a letter of suspension. However, that does not need to happen. There are ways to work within the system to keep your driving record intact.
First Things First
In Georgia, most traffic citations are criminal misdemeanors. You are issued a ticket with a court date. You can pay your ticket before the court date or you can go to court. Many jurisdictions now allow you to pay online. Before you pay, you should understand your rights. When you pay your ticket, you are admitting guilt for the action. Some citations are more complex than others. For example, Georgia has a Super Speeder Law. This law tacks on an extra $200 fine to any driver who is convicted of driving over 75mph on two lane highways. That means, that when you receive that ticket for speeding, you want to check to be sure it does NOT fall into the category of a “super speeder” before you pay it.
Should I Hire an Attorney
We often answer the question of “should I hire an attorney for a traffic ticket“. While you need to make that ultimate decision, we will say that it can be money well spent in many cases. Our office does a citation review. You can upload your ticket online and our attorney will review the ticket to determine if you could benefit from legal counsel. Sometimes it’s just better to pay the citation and move on. Sometimes, it’s better to let an experienced attorney fight for you. You can also learn more about that in this article.
However, a failure to pay, show up in court or let an attorney handle it will likely result in the suspension of your license. For cases that require a court appearance, such as driving under the influence (DUI), the court may also issue a bench warrant for your arrest for failure to show. Going through steps to have your license restored is difficult and painful. It’s unnecessary if you can avoid it up front.
Contact Us
If you, or a family member, needs assistance with a citation, you can call us, upload a copy of the citation for review or contact us on our chat or contact form. David has over 20 years experience working with traffic cases and knows how the courts and laws work. Let his experience work in your favor. Visit us here to learn more.
