Source: https://kevinfisherlegal.com/practice-areas/criminal-law/traffic-offenses/
Timestamp: 2018-08-19 23:30:32
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Home » Practice Areas » Criminal Law » Traffic Offenses
Atlanta is the ninth most populous city in the country, with a population of nearly six million people and thousands more who commute to and from the city every day. Because most Atlantans rely almost exclusively on their vehicles to get around our sprawling city, receiving a traffic ticket in the Atlanta area is nearly inevitable. Though they may appear relatively minor, these citations can result in substantial fines, skyrocketing insurance rates for years to come, and potentially even license suspension. Even the process of dealing with the traffic ticket is a hassle – without a Georgia Traffic Attorney, you can almost count on spending at least one entire day sitting in the courtroom and waiting for your case to be heard. An experienced Georgia Traffic Attorney can not only potentially spare you the hassle of sitting idly in court, but can also negotiate a lower fine, reduced charge(s), fewer points, or overall dismissal of your case.
Georgia uses a points system in order to determine which drivers are habitual offenders. It assigns points based on the severity of the charges. Drivers over 21 who accumulate 15 points in a 24-month period of time will have their licenses suspended. Below is a breakdown of the points assessed for various offenses (click on the statute to read the code section:
Points System for Traffic Offenses
Code Section Offense Points Assessed
O.C.G.A. § 40-6-397 Aggressive Driving 6
O.C.G.A. § 40-6-163 Unlawful Passing of a School Bus 6
O.C.G.A. § 40-6-390 Reckless Driving 4
O.C.G.A. § 40-6-45 Improper Passing on a Hill or Curve 4
O.C.G.A. § 40-6-20 Failure to Obey Traffic Control Device 3
O.C.G.A. § 40-6-2 Failure to Obey Police Officer 3
O.C.G.A. § 40-6-253 Possessing an Open Container of an Alcoholic Beverage While Driving 2
O.C.G.A. § 40-6-248.1 Failure to Adequately Secure Load, Resulting in an Accident 2
O.C.G.A. § 40-8-76 Violation of Child Safety Restraint – First Offense 1
O.C.G.A. § 40-8-76 Violation of Child Safety Restraint – Second or Subsequent Offense 2
O.C.G.A. § 40-6-241.1 Violation of Usage of Wireless Telecommunication Device Requirements 1
O.C.G.A. § 40-6-241.2 Operating a Vehicle While Texting 1
O.C.G.A. § 40-6-54 Improper Use of Designated Travel Lane – 4th and Subsequent Offense 1
Under O.C.G.A. § 40-5-57.1, younger drivers are held to a higher burden than are older drivers. For this reason, it is of the utmost importance that younger drivers, especially those who rely on their licenses to get to work and school, speak to a Georgia Traffic Attorney prior to entering a plea (or an admission in a Georgia Juvenile Court).
If a driver is under 18 years old and accumulates 4 or more points within a 12 month period, his or her license will be suspended.
It is important to know that a plea of nolo contendre, or no contest, is considered a conviction and will not prevent license suspension for drivers under 21.
If a younger driver’s license is suspended under either of these provisions, he or she may be eligible for reinstatement after 6 months for a first suspension, and after 12 months for a second suspension. For a first suspension, the person must pay a reinstatement fee of $210 (in person) or $200 (by mail) and provide proof of completion of a defensive driving course. For a second suspension, the reinstatement fee is $310 (in person) or $300 (by mail). For DUI cases, other requirements also apply – see here for more information.
Whether you are a younger driver or whether you have years of experience behind the wheel, if you are charged with a traffic offense, you need an experienced Georgia Traffic Attorney. Don’t waste hours of your life sitting in court only to be hit with a huge fine, points on your license, and high insurance rates. Call me today.