traffic citations
Understanding Traffic Violations in Georgia: Why Legal Representation Matters
The State of Georgia is one of a handful of States that considers a Traffic violation a misdemeanor criminal act. Therefore, if you receive a citation, you do NOT want to just pay the citation or ignore the court date as there can be consequences to simply paying the citation without going to court and/or missing court altogether.
The Parker Law Firm specializes in fighting traffic tickets and related violations. We have a 99% success rate. Attorney Parker attends traffic court regularly throughout metro-Atlanta. I deal with many solicitors and judges. In addition, I handle traffic tickets issued by many counties or municipalities in the State of Georgia.
COMMON TRAFFIC VIOLATIONS IN GEORGIA
There are many different traffic ticket violations that can have significant consequences for your future. All “moving violations” carries points against your driver’s license and are reported to the Dept. of Driver Services. Your driving history is typically checked by insurance companies when issuing a policy, and if your driving history shows numerous violations, your insurance premiums are likely to be much higher than if your driving history was relatively spotless.
Handling these issues immediately is strongly recommended if you receive a traffic ticket.
COMMON TRAFFIC CITATIONS AND POINTS LOST IF CONVICTED
(this list is not all-inclusive, but only a sample):
15-18 mph -2 points
19-23 mph -3 points
24-33 mph -4 points
34+ mph -6 points
If you are going 85 mph or more on any highway or road in Georgia or going 75mph or more on a two-lane road you will get a super speeder fine in the state of Georgia. This costs $200 per offense, which must be paid to the Dept. of Driver Services to reinstate your license. This fee is in addition to the fine you will have to pay to the court. Super speeder fines can have a significant impact on your future and your license.
15-18 mph -2 points
19-23 mph -3 points
24-33 mph -4 points
34+ mph -6 points
3 points
Missed Court Dates – Failure to Appear
Signing a traffic ticket is a promise to appear in court. If you do not pay your fine prior to the court date or get the court date moved by the court in advance, you must appear in court. Failure to appear in court could result in penalties including a bench warrant for your arrest. If you think you might have trouble appearing on your scheduled court date, contact the Parker Law Firm as soon as possible to discuss your options.
IF I MISS MY COURT DATE, CAN I JUST PAY THE TICKET?
No, once you have failed to appear in court, you lose the option to pay the fine by mail, online, over the phone, or in-person prior to your next court date. You MUST appear before a judge once a failure to appear has been entered.
WHAT HAPPENS IF I FAIL TO APPEAR IN COURT
The court may impose a fine of several hundred dollars, and if you were due to appear because of multiple traffic infractions, separate fines could be imposed for each infraction. If you are able to show good cause for not appearing, the judge may waive this penalty.
Georgia law mandates that your license must be suspended if you fail to appear in court on traffic violations. In order to have your license reinstated, you will need to get a letter from the court stating that your violations were taken care of and then bring the letter to the Georgia Dept. of Driver Services (DDS) to apply for reinstatement.
Most importantly, a bench warrant will likely be issue for your arrest. You then run the risk of being taken to jail immediately if you are stopped by the police again or if they check you license for some other reason.
WHAT SHOULD I DO IF I MISSED A COURT DATE?
You should try to resolve this situation as quickly as possible. In addition to the threat of arrest, you also risk losing your job or not being able to obtain employment due to not having a valid driver’s license. Contact the Parker Law Firm to discuss the best course of action. The consultation is free and we may be able to help you reduce the penalties for missing your original court date.
Schedule A Consultation
Contact the Parker Law Firm today to schedule a consultation. Our experienced team is ready to assist you with your family law and consumer protection needs. Let us provide the expert guidance and personalized service you deserve.
