Tips for Fighting That Traffic Ticket in Georgia
Getting a speeding ticket or traffic ticket in Georgia is a pretty common occurrence. If you’ve ever been ticketed for speeding in the Peach State, you probably wanted to pay the fine and be done with the whole experience.
However, sometimes simply paying the fine isn’t the best option. Some tickets are worth fighting, especially if they could have a negative impact on your driving record. In order to fight any traffic ticket in the state of Georgia, you need to know a little about how the law works.
These tips for fighting a traffic ticket in Georgia could help you keep that next ticket off your record.
How a Speeding Ticket Affects You
Traffic and speeding laws in Georgia are rather strict. In fact, all Georgia speeding offenses are considered misdemeanor crimes rather than traffic infractions. There are two primary speeding laws in Georgia. One law prohibits driving over the absolute limit, and the other one requires that drivers maintain safe speeds while driving.
There’s also a ‘Super Speeder’ law that applies if you are caught exceeding 75mph on a two-lane road or 85mph anywhere in the state. The Super Speeder fine of $200 is applicable in addition to the standard speeding ticket fine you receive.
If you are ticketed for speeding, you could have points applied to your license. Once a certain number of points have accumulated, you could have your license suspended. If you don’t pay a Super Speeder fine, your license can be suspended, and you will be required to pay a reinstatement fee to regain your driving privileges. However, if you contest your ticket, you have options.
Fighting or Contesting a Speeding Ticket in Georgia
You could go to court and fight the ticket there. However, proving that you were not speeding or that your speed was less than stated on the ticket will be difficult. The officer who wrote your ticket doesn’t have to have proof that you were speeding. The courts in Georgia will accept their word as truth, so fighting your case in a courtroom could be nearly impossible to win on those grounds alone.
If you simply pay a speeding ticket, it still goes on your driving record. If you contest the ticket, you could reduce the number of points applied to your license.
Negotiating a Ticket
Negotiating your ticket is a way to reduce the damage done to your driving record by a speeding ticket. In a negotiation, the prosecutor (who represents the police officer in your Georgia traffic citation case) may reduce your penalties for the speeding ticket, and if the reduction is significant enough, the ticket may never even appear on your driving record.
When you negotiate the ticket, you ask the prosecutor to reduce the speed you have been charged to reduce it to a lower points-level. For example, if you’re charged with driving 90mph in a 55mph zone, you can negotiate the charged speed down. If it is reduced to 70mph in a 55mph zone, it could reduce your initial fine and the number of points that would have been applied to your license.
The new, reduced speed will be on your driving record instead of the actual speed you were driving. Having a lower speed recorded on your driving record means that your record will be less impacted, and if you can get the speed limit down low enough, the impact may never show up on your driving record.
Keeping points off your license (and tickets off your record) can help keep your car insurance rates lower. Even if you can’t negotiate the speed down low enough to keep the ticket off your driving record, you could still save yourself some money.
Georgia Traffic Tickets Impact Your Life
Some traffic tickets aren’t fair. Some areas of Georgia are notorious for having many ‘eyes’ on the lookout for speeders, and some are known for having several ‘speed traps’ that catch both in and out-of-state drivers unaware.
Speeding and traffic tickets are more than just a costly nuisance. Some of them can impact your license and lead to suspensions, excessive fines, and increased auto insurance costs. If you’re tempted to pay your ticket just to avoid the hassle, consider the repercussions of having the ticket on your driving record. Then, give us a call.
Let Andrew L. Schwartz Fight Your Speeding Ticket
A criminal charge must be handled in a professional and determined manner. Anything less can threaten your freedom and future. Andrew Schwartz has an enviable record of success in challenging criminal defense cases. He is one of the best Cobb County criminal attorneys and will work to develop a strong and effective defense of your rights and freedom. Mr. Schwartz devotes his entire practice to criminal defense, including:
- -DUI-Both Driving under the Influence of Alcohol and/or Drugs
- -Drug Charges, including Possession, Possession with Intent, Trafficking
- -Theft, burglary and shoplifting
- -White Collar and Internet Crimes
- -Probation Violations
- -Traffic Offenses
- -Felony and Misdemeanor Charges
You probably have many questions about the criminal law process and what happens next. In a free, no-obligation consultation, Mr. Schwartz can evaluate your situation and discuss your legal options. For a free initial consultation with a criminal lawyer in Cobb County GA, call 678-853-2500 or contact us online today.
