It is easy to think of traffic tickets as little offenses. In fact, if you are like most people, you do not even think of them as crimes. However, traffic tickets are criminal offenses in the state of Georgia. Moving violations are at least a misdemeanor, and some traffic offenses may carry even more substantial consequences.
Many traffic offenses also lead to substantial financial and civil consequences. When people get traffic tickets, the usual punishment is a fine. For more severe offenses, there are other consequences, including potential jail time or license suspension. They also come with related civil consequences. Points on a license can lead to an increase in insurance rates. Plus, pleading guilty to a ticket can make it easier to establish liability in a related civil claim for an accident. Before just paying a ticket, schedule a consultation with a DeKalb County traffic lawyer. Our skilled criminal defense attorneys could ensure you understand all of the potential criminal and civil consequences.
Some traffic offenses are rarer than others. Most drivers will not go the wrong way on a one-way street or get involved in a police chase. However, it is surprisingly easy for drivers to commit some traffic offenses, such as:
Other offenses require more of a commitment to violating the law. Violating Georgia’s open beverage laws, drinking and driving, and failing to use child safety seats are examples of offenses that often involve more than a momentary lapse in judgment.
Whether your charged traffic offense is minor or carries more substantial consequences, a DeKalb County attorney could help you with your case. We could explain the potential consequences attached to each charge, help you understand the evidence the county has against you, negotiate for a settlement, or take the case to trial to defend you.
Some speeders do not go with the flow of traffic; instead, they greatly exceed typical speeds. This state has a super speeder law to combat those drivers who create hazards for themselves and everyone else on the road. Under this law, any driver exceeding 85 miles an hour on any road could be charged as a super speeder, which increases the fine by $200 and can lead to license suspension if you fail to pay that fine. For two-lane roads, the super speeder limit is 75 miles per hour.
Super speeder tickets come with additional fines, but they do not directly increase the number of points a driver gets on their license. However, that fact is a little misleading. Points relate directly to how much the driver was exceeding the speed limit. Drivers going 15 to 18 miles per hour (mph) over the speed limit get two points, 19 to 23 mph get three points, 24 to 33 get four points, and 34 and over get six points. So, while a super speeder ticket does not automatically increase the number of potential points, they are often associated with speeds that can enhance the potential points. A lawyer in DeKalb County could help you understand these traffic laws more in a consultation.
While a DeKalb County traffic attorney could help people facing various charges, we could help be vital to those facing charges for DUI. A DUI conviction can do more than impact your driving record. Like other traffic offenses, DUIs can lead to an increase in insurance rates. They can also result in job loss, loss of reputation, and more. For example, a history of DUIs could impact child custody decisions.
Drunk drivers tend to fall into three groups—young people who exercise poor judgment and drive drunk, older people who are not frequent drinkers who underestimate the impact of alcohol on their systems, and folks with drinking problems. If substance addiction is at the root of a DUI, a lawyer may be able to get you into treatment and out of the criminal justice system.
It is tempting to think of a traffic ticket as a nothing offense. However, even if the ticket only comes with a small fine, it can lead to substantial consequences. The rise in insurance rates alone may justify the expense of hiring a lawyer. When the stakes are higher, it can be even more essential to talk to an attorney. Schedule a consultation with a DeKalb County traffic lawyer to learn more.
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