When Police Write More Tickets to Bring in New Revenue

Everyone is feeling the economic crunch these days, and our local city governments are no exception, including police departments.  Severe budget cuts have forced them to increase revenue by writing more traffic tickets.

Remember the old days of the “speeding cushion?”  You know, when you could go 5 to 10 miles per hour over the speed limit and not get stopped for speeding?  Well, those days are over.  The Doraville DUI Attorneys in our office have seen an increase in the numbers of traffic ticket calls.

A study done by the Journal of Law & Economics showed that declining revenue is linked to an increase in traffic tickets.  The study, done in North Carolina, looked at 96 counties from 1990 to 2003 and found a significant increase in traffic tickets issued in the year after a decline in revenue.

Now, we are not saying the police are issuing bogus tickets.  However, in the past, law enforcement would sometimes not show up for court for minor traffic violations and that usually meant the case would be dismissed.  Hopefully, the driver would learn a lesson by just having to go to court, but more than likely not.

These days, you can almost always count on the officer that wrote the ticket to appear in court, as increasing attendance in court will typically prevent cases from being dismissed.

Several areas of unincorporated DeKalb County was annexed by the City of Doraville in 2013, when Senate Bill 532 was passed.  That law expanded Doraville's borders by approximately one half square mile, and Doraville Police have increased their presence in those areas.  One particular area of interest is the adult entertainment establishment called “The Oasis Goodtime Emporium.”  The Oasis is just inside the City of Doraville, right off Peachtree Industrial Boulevard and Tilly Mill Road, next to the Friday's Plaza.  Doraville Police are often seen near there, especially at the end of the Tilly Mill exit, just before turning onto Tilly Mill Road.  The speed limit there is 35 mph, but much traffic goes 45-50mph, since they are exiting Peachtree Industrial Boulevard.

Aside from speeders, Doraville Police Department is on the lookout for patrons leaving bars and clubs like The Oasis that might be intoxicated and under the influence of alcohol or drugs.  Some think this is a form of entrapment, but legally it is not.  The police have every right to stop you if they have a REASONABLE articulable suspicion that you are under the influence of alcohol or drugs at any time.  Reasonable, articulable suspicion means they cannot just pull you over because you left a bar or club.  Lots of people go to hang out in bars and clubs, even adult entertainment establishments and do not consume alcohol or drugs.  Many people are responsible and have a designated driver that has had nothing to drink drive them home.

Just because someone is leaving an establishment that serves alcohol is not a reason to conduct a traffic stop.  There must be reasonable suspicion of a traffic violation or that there is impaired driving.  Without a proper reason to stop a driver, a Doraville DUI Lawyer can move to have a case thrown out.

The point here is to be aware of your surroundings.  We know that police are going to be more present in the areas where there are bars, clubs, and resturants.  Let's face it, some people are, unfortunately, going to walk out of those places intoxicated and regrettably make the choice to drive.  Exercise your best judgment, and keep in mind that police have stepped up their presence; in Doraville and other cities across the state.

If you have been arrested for DUI or any DUI-related offense in the City of Doraville or any other city in metro Atlanta, contact an experienced Doraville DUI Attorney from the Law Offices of Richard Lawson.  Our office has Doraville DUI Lawyers that are waiting to take your call and discuss your case anytime, day or night.