Traffic

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Traffic Ticket Lawyers in Columbus, GA

Fighting Traffic Violations in Muscogee County

Being cited for speeding or another moving violation in Georgia can be quite costly, resulting in fines, points on your driving record, and even increased insurance rates. If you accumulate enough points on your record, your driver’s license could be suspended. In order to avoid paying fines worth hundreds or thousands of dollars and losing your driving privileges, you need to hire an experienced attorney to either get your entire case dismissed or your penalties reduced. 

At Ted Morgan Law, we have a proven track record of success in helping our clients obtain the most favorable outcome in a wide range of cases, including traffic violations. Our Columbus traffic ticket lawyer has more than 28 years of experience representing clients in criminal and traffic court. Do not hesitate to let us fight for you immediately! 


Have you been cited for a traffic violation? Call Ted Morgan Law today at (706) 622-6255 or contact us online to meet with our traffic ticket attorney in Columbus, GA. 


 

Driving with a suspended license in Georgia carries serious consequences, as the state enforces strict laws to maintain road safety. Whether your license is suspended due to traffic violations or criminal convictions, the penalties for continuing to drive can be severe. Georgia uses a point system to monitor driving records, and additional penalties apply for repeat offenders. Understanding these penalties is crucial to avoid further legal trouble.

Penalties for Driving with a Suspended License in Georgia

License suspension in Georgia:

  • Georgia uses a point system to determine license suspensions.
  • Accumulating 15 or more points on your driving record within 24 months, without attending a driver improvement clinic, leads to suspension.
  • Points can result from violations like speeding, reckless driving, and other traffic infractions.

Criminal offenses that can lead to suspension or revocation:

  • DUI (Driving Under the Influence)
  • Vehicular assault or homicide
  • Driving without insurance

Penalties for driving with a suspended license:

  • First offense:
    • Misdemeanor
    • Punishable by up to 12 months in jail and/or a fine of up to $1,000.
  • Second or third offense (within five years):
    • High-and-aggravated misdemeanor
    • Maximum penalty of 12 months in jail and/or a fine of up to $2,500.
  • Fourth or subsequent offense (within five years):
    • Felony
    • Punishable by up to five years in prison and/or a fine of up to $5,000.

Additional penalties for conviction:

  • A six-month extension of the original suspension.
  • Habitual offender penalties (for those who have had their license revoked at least three times within five years) may differ and could include more severe consequences.

Defenses Against Traffic Ticket Charges

Defenses may include:

  • Challenging the Officer's Observations: One of the most common defenses against a traffic ticket involves questioning the accuracy of the officer’s observations. Traffic violations often rely on the subjective judgment of the officer who issued the citation. For example, if you were cited for speeding, the officer’s estimate of your speed could be challenged. This may include questioning the calibration of the radar gun used or whether the officer had a clear, unobstructed view when determining your speed. Similarly, if you were ticketed for running a red light or failing to yield, the circumstances surrounding the incident could be scrutinized to determine if the officer's perspective was compromised.
  • Disputing the Evidence: In many cases, the evidence presented by law enforcement may not be sufficient to support the ticket. For instance, photographic evidence from red light or speed cameras might be blurry, inconclusive, or fail to clearly show the driver’s identity. If the evidence is weak or lacking, it can be argued that there is insufficient proof to uphold the ticket. Furthermore, discrepancies in the ticketing process, such as errors on the citation itself, can provide grounds for dismissal.
  • Mistake of Fact: Another potential defense is the argument of a mistake of fact. This defense applies when a driver reasonably misunderstands a situation, leading to a traffic violation. For example, if a sign indicating a change in speed limit was obscured by foliage or weather conditions, you might have continued driving at the previous speed limit without realizing it had changed. In such cases, it can be argued that the violation was unintentional and resulted from circumstances beyond your control.
  • Necessity or Emergency Situations: Sometimes, a traffic violation occurs because of an emergency or a situation where breaking a traffic law was necessary to prevent greater harm. For example, if you were speeding to avoid a potential accident or to get a sick person to the hospital, this necessity defense could be used to argue that the violation was justified under the circumstances.
  • Technicalities and Procedural Errors: Traffic tickets must be issued according to strict legal protocols. Any deviation from these procedures can be grounds for dismissal. For example, if the officer who issued the ticket failed to follow proper protocol, such as neglecting to provide necessary information or issuing the ticket in violation of your rights, these errors can be challenged in court. Additionally, the timing of the ticket issuance, failure to appear in court by the officer, or lack of a required witness can also lead to the ticket being voided.
  • Lack of Signage or Road Markings: Traffic violations often depend on the presence of proper signage or road markings. If you received a ticket for a violation such as speeding, illegal turns, or failing to stop, and there was inadequate or missing signage indicating the law you allegedly broke, this can serve as a strong defense. Without clear and visible signs, it can be argued that the violation was due to a lack of necessary information provided by the state, not negligence on your part.
  • Plea Bargaining and Mitigation: Even if a defense does not result in a complete dismissal of the charges, it may still be possible to negotiate a plea bargain or mitigation. We have extensive experience negotiating with prosecutors to reduce fines, points, or charges. This can involve arguing for a lesser offense or providing evidence of a clean driving record to seek leniency. Additionally, we may help you explore options such as attending traffic school to avoid points on your record.

Contact Our Columbus Traffic Ticket Attorney Today

We can thoroughly examine your case, determine your available legal options, and fight for the most favorable results. We can even appear in court on your behalf. Let us protect your rights and driving privileges. 


Contact Ted Morgan Law for a FREE phone consultation with our traffic ticket lawyers in Columbus, GA! 


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