Nearly everyone has been pulled over by the police at least once in their life. Whether it’s for exceeding the speed limit,
failure to stop at a stop sign, or another traffic violation, it is always frustrating to receive a traffic ticket.
Many people who receive a traffic ticket wonder if it is “worth it” to fight the ticket. Instead of fighting, many choose to pay for the ticket without considering the long-term implications. The criminal defense attorney at the Law Office of Jay G. Wall educates his clients on the importance of fighting traffic violations.
From his office in Woodstock, Georgia, attorney Jay G. Wall helps clients resolve their traffic tickets throughout the state of Georgia, including Marietta, Canton, and Cartersville.
Understanding the Point System in Georgia
If you received a traffic ticket in Georgia, it is essential that you understand the state’s point system. When a motorist is convicted of a traffic violation, the state’s Department of Driver Services (DDS) records “points” on their driving history. Accumulating a certain number of points within a short period of time can result in the suspension, cancellation, or revocation of your driver’s license.
According to the DDS’s website, drivers who accumulate 15 points in a 24-month period face a suspension of their driver’s license. The threshold is substantially lower for drivers under the age of 21. They will face a six-month suspension if they accumulate just four points.
Each traffic violation carries a specific number of points ranging from two to six. For example, improper passing is worth three points, while aggressive driving can result in six points. In addition to the risk of losing your driver’s license, accumulating points can lead to other consequences, including higher insurance premiums, difficulties with obtaining insurance coverage, and mandatory driver education courses.
Possible Penalties for a Traffic Violation
Many drivers mistakenly believe that fighting a traffic violation does not make sense. “All I need is to just pay the fine, and I’ll be fine,” they think. The ease and convenience of paying traffic tickets these days can make it even more tempting to pay the fine.
While it may seem that paying the fine can save you some time and energy, you need to understand the serious penalties that you may face when convicted. When you pay a traffic ticket, you essentially admit your guilt. Depending on the type of traffic violation, penalties can be severe. For example, a DUI conviction can result in jail time, fines, license suspension, and confiscation of your vehicle.
Possible penalties also depend on the location where you receive the traffic ticket. Punishment for the same violation may be more severe in some counties. In addition to the criminal penalties, a conviction for a traffic violation can lead to the following consequences:
- Loss of job
- Difficulty finding employment
- Difficulty renting an apartment/home
- Difficulty pursuing education opportunities
- Permanent criminal record
Because a conviction for a traffic violation can have long-lasting consequences, you will want to seek the advice of an attorney. A knowledgeable attorney will review the facts of your case and help you determine whether or not it is worth fighting the traffic violation. Having legal counsel on your side can improve your chances of a successful outcome when fighting a traffic violation.
Common Defenses for Traffic Violations
There are a number of defenses available to drivers who want to fight a traffic violation. Obviously, each case is unique, which is why the defense strategies that you use will depend on the type of violation and the facts surrounding your case. Some examples of defenses for traffic violations include:
- Disputing evidence presented against you by using eyewitness statements, photos, and other types of evidence.
- Claiming there was no probable cause for the traffic stop.
- Challenging the officer’s personal judgment.
- Claiming that the traffic violation was justified in the case of an emergency or to prevent further harm.
- Challenging the ticket because of erroneous information contained in the ticket.
Remember: Just because you received a traffic ticket does not mean you are guilty. You still have a chance to fight the traffic violation and avoid points from being added to your driving record. Get help from a criminal defense attorney who can help you navigate the process and identify possible defenses available to you.
Your attorney will challenge or suppress any evidence that was obtained illegally, gather evidence that helps fight the traffic ticket, work with expert witnesses to support your case, appear in court on your behalf, and negotiate a plea bargain to get the charges reduced or dismissed.
Ready to Advocate for You
Fighting a traffic violation can help you avoid serious penalties and other potentially disastrous consequences. While paying a traffic ticket may seem like the easy way out, you can avoid getting points on your license. The attorney at the Law Office of Jay G. Wall is committed to providing clients who face a traffic violation with reliable representation and results-driven legal counsel. Reach out now to set up a free consultation.