Atlanta Traffic Ticket Defense Attorneys
Atlanta Traffic Ticket Defense Attorneys
If you have been pulled over and issued a traffic citation, the choices you make in the following days could mean the difference between having to pay out hundreds of dollars in fines and court costs and paying nothing at all. The hassle of receiving a citation extends far beyond the time it took for the officer to write the ticket and put it in your hands. You could be facing court hearings, time off work, lost wages and potential damage to your good reputation.
At Kilgo Law, we understand that you want to put your citation behind you as quickly as possible. In some instances, your traffic ticket can be a distance memory in just a matter of weeks. In other, more serious, cases, you could be facing months of court appearances. No matter how simple or complex the case, we are here to stand by your side and fight for your rights with the dignity and respect you deserve.
The Days Following Your Traffic Ticket
When you are issued a traffic citation in Atlanta, you have two choices: pay the ticket or fight your charges in court. You may know that you were caught fairly and decide to pay the ticket. If you do, you must make your payment in a timely manner. Your citation will give you the date your fine needs to be paid by and will provide information on how to pay it.
Should you choose to fight your charges, you will want to contact a traffic ticket attorney as soon as possible. Time is of the essence when fighting a traffic ticket, as valuable evidence may erode, be misplaced or even be forgotten over time. You are also required to answer the ticket by a certain date which only gets closer the longer you fail to act.
If you believe that you have been unfairly cited, that the officer acted inappropriately or you want to fight your charges for any reason, reach out to the team at Kilgo Law today.
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Schedule your FREE CONSULTATION today! Kilgo Law will meet with you to evaluate your DUI/DWI case and provide you with an explanation of the law and procedures which are applicable to your case. Every day counts, don’t delay!
Potential Points on Your License
Many people choose a traffic ticket attorney to help them fight their charges in an attempt to avoid the points that are associated with a conviction. In Georgia, points range from 2 to 6, and the issuance of points depends on the severity of the charges. For example:
- Speeding – 15 to 18 mph over the posted limit – 2 points
- Speeding – 19 to 23 mph over the posted limit – 3 points
- Speeding – 24 to 33 mph over the posted limit – 4 points
- Speeding – 34 mph or faster over the posted limit – 6 points
- Reckless driving – 4 points
- Aggressive driving – 6 points
- Open alcohol container – 2 points
Once you have been issued points to your driver’s license in Georgia, you can complete a defensive driving class to remove up to 7 points. You can only do this once every five years. If you accumulate 15 points in a 24-month period, your license could be suspended.
Pre-Trial Intervention Traffic Program in Atlanta
An option given to drivers some drivers who do not want to appear in court is the pre-trial intervention traffic program, or PTI-T. Participation in the program is entirely voluntary but must be approved by the Program Administrator. Once you complete the program in a timely manner, your charges are dismissed, you will avoid points on your license and you will pay no fines.
The PTI-T program is not available to all people who have been issued a citation. For example, tickets that are the result of a traffic accident aren’t eligible to participate. Participants are only permitted to enroll once per year and for a reportable traffic offense. If you have any questions as to whether or not you should volunteer to participate in this program, your attorney can help you make a sensible determination.
Going to Court for Your Traffic Ticket
If you choose to plead not guilty to your alleged infraction, you will go through the court process with the assistance of your attorney, should you choose to hire one. Take a close look at your citation. It will tell you which court to contact, the deadline for responding and your initial court date. Your arraignment will be your opportunity to officially plead not guilty. In some jurisdictions, the ticket will instead provide a website to visit to get this information.
Once you have entered a not-guilty plea, your case will be set for trial. You and your attorney will have the chance to question the officer or police department representative, present evidence and argue the law. While your trial may last for less than a single day, you should be prepared to have to go to court multiple times before your case is resolved.
If you win your case, your driving record will not reflect the violation. You will also not receive points on your license, and there will be no fine to pay. Any person has the right to fight a traffic citation in Atlanta, but it is always advisable that you seek the advice of an experienced attorney before deciding what you will do.
Is Hiring an Atlanta Traffic Ticket Attorney Worth It?
Whether or not hiring a traffic ticket attorney is worth it is something that you have to decide. In some cases, you are sure that you committed the infraction and it would make more sense to simply pay the fine and move on. In other instances, you believe that you did nothing wrong or that the police officer behaved in an inappropriate or illegal manner. In these cases, hiring an attorney from Kilgo Law is a wise move.
If you have received a traffic citation in Atlanta, reach out to our team of experienced traffic ticket attorneys. We will review the details of your citation and advise you of the next steps appropriate to your unique situation. Call our office today at (678) 842-4331 or reach out to us online. We are happy to discuss your case with you and, should you choose to hire an attorney from our firm, will dedicate ourselves to your defense.