Move Forward in Life

It’s a situation that almost every Georgia driver has experienced: getting pulled over for a traffic violation and receiving an expensive ticket. It can be stressful, embarrassing, and difficult to process – especially if this is your first offense. But don’t let the feeling of being stuck linger; you still have work to do! If you’re dealing with the stress and uncertainty of knowing that you may be facing fines, increased insurance rates, or worse— it’s important to know what steps you can take to move forward in life after getting traffic ticket. This post will provide helpful advice for anyone who has recently been issued a citation in the Peach State about how to keep going and not let it hold them back. With the right actions taken, you’ll be able to come out of this experience ready take what comes next without missing a beat.

Here’s what we’ll cover:

• Traffic Ticket Info
• Points, Insurance, & License
• I Just Got A Traffic Ticket, What Do I Do?
• Working With A Lawyer and Going to Court
• After Traffic Ticket: Resolution

Traffic Ticket Info

If you’ve recently received a traffic ticket in Georgia, you may be wondering what it all means. Understanding the details of your citation is essential not only for avoiding future infractions but also for maintaining a clean driving record. Each traffic violation is unique – and the potential consequences also vary based on the severity of the offense. Sometimes, like with speeding, the consequences will change depending on how fast you were going, or where you were caught speeding.

Other items that come into play are your own personal driving record – if you have a long history of traffic offenses, the chances are that you will face much higher potential fines and consequences than someone with a clean record. Also, the specific facts of what happened in your case will matter too – if you were really rude or trying to conceal information, chances are you will face a higher punishment than if you were polite and did not try and hide anything.

Some common consequences of traffic violations in Georgia include:

• Fines – usually up to $1,000.
• Jail time – usually up to 12 months.
• Community service.
• Defensive driving school.
• Alcohol or Drug Risk Reduction Program (aka DUI school).
• Probation – usually up to 12 months.
• Points on your license.
• License suspension.

Because the consequences can be so severe, it’s crucial to take the time to read and comprehend your Georgia traffic ticket fully. By doing so, you’ll have a clearer picture of your options and can make informed decisions moving forward.

Points, Insurance, & License

Another set of items to be aware is to understand how traffic violations can impact your driving record with points, insurance rates, and driver’s license status. All three are interconnected, and most of the time they only happen once you’re convicted of the traffic violation – but sometimes, your license can be affected just by being arrested for a traffic ticket, like with a DUI.

How it works – after conviction

When you receive a ticket for a traffic violation, you have the option to plead guilty or not guilty. If you plead not guilty, you’ll have the opportunity to go to trial. After trial, if you are found no guilty, then you don’t have to worry about points. But if you’re found guilty, it’s the same as if you plead guilty – this is called a conviction.

Once convicted of the traffic violation, the court will send notice of your conviction to the Georgia Department of Driver Services (DDS). DDS keeps track of your driving history and license status. If your conviction comes with points, they will record those points to your license. DDS will also update your driving record with the charge you were convicted with. Thankfully, if your charges are reduced prior to conviction, only the final charge goes on your record. So for example: if you get a Reckless Driving for excessive speed, which is a 4 point offense, but you are able to get the charge reduced to Speeding at 20 miles over the posted limit, a 3 point offense, only the speeding and 3 points are added to your record – not what you originally were pulled over for.

These points can accumulate over time and potentially lead to higher insurance rates and even the suspension or revocation of your driver’s license. For example, if you are 21 years old or older, and you get 15 points on your record within a 24-month period, your license will automatically be suspended. You’ll have to pay a reinstatement fee and take a DDS-approved defensive driving course. If you are under 18 years old, then your license will be suspended for having 4 points in a 12 month period. Also, if you’re under 21 and get a single charge that assesses 4 points – like the Reckless Driving we talked about early – then your license will be suspended as well.

Now, where do auto insurance companies come into play in all this? Insurance companies use your driving history to determine your risk level as a driver, so receiving a ticket for a traffic violation followed by a conviction can lead to significant increases in your insurance premiums. And how much of an increase for what charges will depend on your insurance company. Each company has its own “points” system that may or may not reflect the Georgia DDS points system. In order to be fully informed, talk to your local insurance agent about how a specific charge will affect you, if convicted.

Driver’s License Consequences – before convicted

Most of the time, your driver’s license will not be affected until after you are convicted of the traffic ticket, or a reduced charge. But, there are some instances where your license will be affected right away, even if the charges are ultimately dropped. One of the main types of traffic tickets that this happens with is a DUI (driving under the influence of either alcohol, drugs, or any other substance that impairs your ability to drive).

Georgia takes DUIs very seriously. As a result, there is something called the “implied consent law” – which means that by driving on Georgia roads, if you were to ever get pulled over for suspicion of a DUI, you by default give your consent to let a law enforcement officer take a sample of your bodily substances (blood, breath, urine, etc.) to then test to see if you are under the influence or not. Since you have a right against someone taking your bodily substances by force, you are able to say “no” to this request once lawfully made by an officer after a DUI arrest, but Georgia responds by taking away your driving privileges for one year, since you said no, after you by default said yes. Confusing? Don’t worry, that’s why our firm is here: to be able to help you navigate through this administrative process. There are steps you can take to keep your ability to drive while your DUI case is going on. If you’ve been pulled over and arrested for a DUI, you only have 30 days to try and save your license, so make sure to act quickly.

I Just Got A Traffic Ticket, What Do I Do?

Getting a traffic ticket can be a frustrating experience, but it’s important to handle it responsibly. This will save you from a lot of headache and anxiety later on down the road. The first step is to carefully read the ticket and understand the violation that you’ve been charged with. If you have any questions about the charges, contact an attorney who works in the same courthouse that you have court in for your traffic ticket. Not only will they be able to tell you more details about what you’re charged with, but they can give you some insight as to how the local courthouse works – how strict the prosecutors and judges are, or are not. Sometimes you have to pay to talk to an attorney, but think if it as an investment: you’re paying them for their knowledge to share with you, so you can be better equipped to handle your case moving forward.

Once you understand what you’ve been charged with and the potential ramifications of a guilty plea or conviction at trial, you’ll then need to decide whether to contest the ticket or go ahead and plead guilty to it. If you choose to contest the ticket, it’s important to gather all the necessary evidence and present a strong defense. We always recommend hiring a lawyer to represent you if you’re going to fight the ticket. It’s the lawyer’s job to come up with defenses and to advocate for you in court, and it will make the process smoother and make sure everything that needs to get presented does.

Even if you decide to plead guilty to the ticket, we still recommend hiring a lawyer to help you along the way. This will help you make sure you understand the consequences of pleading guilty, such as points added to your license, fines and fees, potential jail time, and any increase in your insurance premiums. The court system can be foreign and scary if you’re not in it all the time, and having a guide with you to show you what to do and when can give you great peace of mind.

Working With A Lawyer and Going to Court

Driving is an essential part of our daily lives, making it crucial to understand the rules of the road. However, even the most experienced and cautious of drivers may find themselves with a traffic ticket at some point. If you are faced with such a situation in Georgia, it is recommended to work with a lawyer who is familiar with the state’s traffic laws. A legal professional can help you understand your options and guide you through the court process, ensuring that your driving record and reputation remain intact.

Sometimes a courthouse will allow your lawyer to appear on your behalf for most or all of the required court appearances. This is especially helpful if you live out of state or work an inflexible job during the times court is usually open. You will probably still have to show up for at least one court date, but oftentimes your lawyer can let you know in advance when that will be, so you can take time off or travel to make your court date.

Additionally, by hiring a lawyer who works often in the local courthouse where your traffic case is, they can tell you if there are any other court-specific items you can do to increase your chances of a good result. For example, some prosecutors or judges want to see a driver take affirmative steps after a traffic violation, such as doing community service hours or attending a defensive driving course. A local lawyer can tell you if this is applicable or not in your case, so you don’t waste your time and money if it is not.

If you have a traffic ticket, you will most likely have to go to court. By hiring legal counsel, you can have peace of mind knowing that you are in capable hands. So, if you have received a traffic ticket in Georgia, it is good practice to seek out a local attorney and alleviate the stress associated with going to court.

After Traffic Ticket: Resolution

Resolving a traffic ticket can be a weight off of anyone’s shoulders. However, it’s important to remember that it’s not always over once you leave court. Sometimes, you have certain requirements that you’ll need to do within a set time frame, like a few weeks or months. You may even be put on probation, to give you time to do these items. This means you’ll have a probation officer to report to and hand in all proof of completion of your requirements. You won’t be off the hook until everything is completed on time, and your probation terminates. Once everything is closed out, your traffic violation will remain on your record for life. You cannot get it removed. But, most places only “look back” for 5 to 7 years. And points only count for 24 months towards any points suspensions for 21 and older drivers, so you get a reset after 2 years of a traffic ticket conviction. You also may have to face increased insurance premiums for a time, depending on the traffic charges. It’s important to keep things like this in mind, especially when you are deciding whether or not to speed or drive aggressively in the future – the past is not gone and it could come back to haunt you if you’re not careful.

As such, moving on from a traffic violation also involves reflection and learning from the experience. Taking steps to prevent future violations, such as practicing safe driving habits and staying up-to-date on traffic laws, can not only save you from future tickets, but can also keep you and other drivers safe on the road. It’s important to acknowledge and take responsibility for any mistakes made while driving, but don’t let them consume you. With a positive attitude and commitment to improving, moving on after a resolved traffic ticket can be a valuable learning experience.

In Closing

While traffic tickets are rarely easy to deal with, it is important to remember that you do have a way to fight it and keep your record clean. Knowing the information outlined in this post should allow any Georgia driver to better understand what their particular traffic ticket means and also provide initial steps on how to take action. Moving on after a traffic ticket may seem difficult at first, but taking the situation one step at a time will make it easier. If things become too confusing, hiring a lawyer is an option that can help navigate the process. Remember that getting a traffic ticket can happen to anyone – regardless of how careful one drives. Being prepared for such an event and knowing how best to proceed is a good way for every driver in Georgia to stay safe and stay legal on the roads. Good luck and drive safe!