Have You Been Given a Traffic Ticket for Speeding or Any Other Moving Violation in Atlanta Georgia?

Atlanta Traffic Ticket Lawyer - Atlanta Traffic Ticket Attorney

Being charged with a traffic violation in the City of Atlanta can cause serious inconvenience and other long-term consequences.  No person should represent themselves in Atlanta Traffic Court.  There are several alternative programs available to people charged for speeding, failure to maintain lane, aggressive driving, reckless driving, illegal lane change, passing a school bus, hit and run, and any other moving violations.  Even if you were in an accident, that does not automatically mean you will be convicted.  Our Atlanta Traffic Ticket Lawyers are experts at getting cases reduced and dismissed.

Our Experience Is The Difference:

Richard Lawson and his team have been handling Traffic Tickets in the Atlanta Municipal Court for more than 25 years.  He is Atlanta's most reviewed DUI Lawyer and since every DUI starts with a traffic offense, his team of attorneys are the most skilled Traffic Ticket Lawyers in Atlanta.  ( Avvo Reviews ).  He is a former prosecutor who knows both sides of your case and puts that experience to use for his clients every day. Call now and let us find the best solution to your Speeding ticket in Atlanta.

Speeding Tickets and Traffic Tickets in Atlanta Municipal Court:

The most common Atlanta traffic offense is speeding.  Every driver is given a citation for speeding at some time in their life.  For most people, a traffic ticket for speeding will be the first and only contact they will have with the court system in Georgia. Of course our office handles all traffic charges in Atlanta Municipal Court and is always happy to help.

There is no reason to be afraid of traffic court in Georgia.  In fact, Atlanta traffic courts are designed to give second and sometimes third chances for those charged with speeding and other minor traffic offenses.  However, your case will not defend itself.  You need the help of someone familiar with the court process, the judges, and the prosecutors. Our office practices in the Atlanta Municipal Court every day.

The Atlanta Traffic Court System Explained:

If you are cited for an Atlanta traffic ticket your case will be heard in Atlanta Municipal Court at: 150 Garnett Street Atlanta GA 30303.  The court's main telephone number is: (404) 658-6940.  The Atlanta Municipal Court website includes court calendars and the ability to pay some citations online.  Never pay a fine without first speaking to a qualified Atlanta Traffic Ticket Attorney.  When a fine is paid, that is affectively a plea of guilty to the charge.

You have the right to have your Atlanta Traffic Ticket Lawyer negotiate a plea agreement or conduct a bench trial (a trial with the judge deciding the case).  There are no jury trials in any Georgia municipal court.  However, since all Georgia traffic tickets are misdemeanors, you have the right to send your case to the Fulton County State Court for a jury trial.  Keep in mind that sending a case to state court is not without risks.  The state courts are annoyed with traffic cases that should have settled in municipal court. As a result, drivers risk additional consequences in state court and should always consult with the Atlanta Traffic Ticket Attorneys from our office before making any substantive decision of their case.  Once a case is sent to a higher court, it cannot be sent back to a lower court when the accused does not like the outcome.

Map to Atlanta Municipal Court:

Fulton County State Court:

Some traffic tickets are heard in the Fulton County State Court.  Although most cases are heard in municipal court, some cases originating on the Georgia Tech and Georgia State University Campuses will be heard in state court.  Additionally, any person who demands a jury trial in Atlanta Municipal Court will have their case transferred (bound-over) to Fulton County.  This does not mean the accused must have a jury trial.  Our Atlanta Traffic Ticket Lawyers think of state court as a second chance to negotiate a great outcome for our clients.  Going to state court is like the proverbial second bite of the apple.

The Fulton County State Court is located at 185 Central Avenue Atlanta, GA 30303. Their main telephone number is: (404) 613-5045.

Map to Fulton County State Court:

The Goal Of the Representation In Your Atlanta Traffic Ticket Case:

The goal of the case is simple, to get the ticket reduced to something that will not be reported on your MVR.  In Georgia, tickets of less than 15 miles per hour over the posted speed limit will not be reported on a driver's record.  As a result, understanding the point system in Georgia is extremely important. Points are assessed based on the speed alleged:

• Speeding 14 mph or less = 0 points
• Speeding 15-18 mph = 2 points
• Speeding 19-23 mph = 3 points
• Speeding 24-33 mph = 4 points
• Speeding 34 mph or more = 6 points
• Reckless Driving = 4 points
• Aggressive Driver = 6 points
• Improper Lane Change = 3 points
• Passing a School Bus = 6 points
• Hit and Run = License Suspension
• DUI = License Suspension
• Open Container = 2 points
• Any Other Moving Violation = 3 Points

Special Considerations For Atlanta Drivers Under 21 Years of Age:

For Drivers under the age of 21, any 4 point or more offense will cause a person's license to be suspended.  As a result, when representing a driver under the age of 21, the goal of the representation is to get the speed on the ticket reduced to 23 miles per hour over the posted speed limit.  Otherwise, without the help of a Georgia Speeding Ticket Attorney, the driver will have his or her license suspended for 6 months.  For more information visit our page devoted to Georgia traffic tickets for drivers under 21 years of age.  No person under 21 should ever go to court without an Atlanta Speeding Ticket Attorney on his or her side.

For drivers under the age of 18, accumulating 4 total points will result in a 6 month license suspension. Since most Georgia Traffic offenses are at least 3 points, accumulating 4 total points is quite common.  As for speeding tickets, a combination of any citations that will accumulate 4 or more points will cause a suspended license.  Keep in mind that drives under the age of 18 will accumulate points for all offenses that occur from age 16 until their 18th birthday.  No person under the age of 21 should ever go to court without an Atlanta Speeding Ticket Lawyer on his or her side.

When Representing drivers under the age of 18, the goal of the representation is to not only look at the current charges but to also look at any previous offenses in order to assure that the driver does not accumulate 4 or more points.  Our Georgia Traffic Ticket Lawyers are experts at helping young people keep their privilege to drive.  For more information, please read our page devoted to special considerations for under 18 year old drivers in Georgia.

Special Considerations For CDL Holders Cited With An Atlanta Traffic Citation:

For CDL Drivers, traffic tickets and speeding tickets can result in license suspension and loss of employment.  Any person given a ticket for speeding, who has a commercial drivers license, should immediately contact a Georgia Speeding Ticket Lawyer.  Our Atlanta Speeding Ticket Lawyers know how to save your CDL and your job.  For a detailed review of the law affecting CDL holders, visit our page on how traffic tickets affect CDL Drivers.  That resource will detail everything a CDL driver needs to know to protect their right to drive.  Remember, some offenses can cause CDL holders to lose their license and their job.  Be careful to protect your livelihood.

The Myth That The Police Officer Must Appear In Court:

No question is asked more often than, "will my ticket be dismissed if the police officer does not appear?"  The short answer is no. The more complete answer is that your initial court date is called an arraignment.  At arraignment you enter your initial plea or can negotiate a settlement.  The officer who gave you the citation only has to appear if you have a trial in your case.  There are no trials at arraignment.

You will have to come back to the Atlanta Municipal Court on a trial day in order to face your accuser.  At that time, the police officer who cited you will have to appear.  However, you will have attended court at least twice before resolving your case.  For many people, they do not have time to attend court twice.  The Atlanta Speeding Ticket Lawyers in our office can make the first appearance for you, thereby preventing multiple apperances.

What Should An Atlanta Driver Do When They Receive A Traffic Ticket or a Speeding Ticket?

In the The Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy we learned two basic rules; "don't panic, and always have a towel."  The same advice is true when dealing with a speeding ticket or other traffic ticket.  There is no reason to assume that your license will be suspended. There is no reason to assume that you will be convicted.  The expert Atlanta Speeding Ticket Attorneys in my office will help you get an outcome that will save your license and save you from other consequences that can affect your life. Call now!  Your best defense begins here.

Atlanta Traffic Ticket Resources:

Atlanta Municipal Court

Fulton County State Court

List of Certified Defensive Driving Schools

Georgia Department of Driver Services