Law enforcement officers may issue traffic tickets in Georgia for various driving or non-driving offenses. Motorists with a traffic citation must decide whether they want to challenge their ticket or resolve their case by paying the fine.

Drivers are required to take specific action in due time, in order to avoid penalties such as a license suspension, late fees or points on their GA driving record. Find out more about how to dispute or submit the mandatory payment by reading the sections below.

Fighting a Georgia Ticket

If you choose to prepare a GA traffic citation defense, you will need to take the official legal stance that you are not in violation of state road rules and regulations. Fighting traffic tickets in Georgia is generally a more complex procedure, as it requires the driver to prepare himself or herself for a jury trial. Since state traffic laws are strict, drivers who decide to appeal must be prepared to face the police officer who issued their ticket.

For a successful Georgia traffic ticket defense, motorists will need to gather credible evidence and may even hire a lawyer as a legal representative in court. They are generally required to provide payment if they are found guilty of the offense in question. Depending on the type of violation, other penalties, such as mandatory jail time, may apply in addition.

Paying a Georgia Ticket

By submitting a GA traffic tickets payment request, motorists admit their guilt and waive the right to a trial. The process of paying driving fines in Georgia may generally be completed by an in-person visit to the presiding court or via the internet. Note that certain traffic violations may require you to make a court appearance.

Note: Failure to appear in court or exercise either of the aforementioned options in a timely manner may result in harsh penalties.

Lost Tickets in Georgia

Details listed on traffic citations in Georgia are essential, regardless of whether motorists decide to fight their traffic ticket or pay the allotted fines. In case of a lost ticket, they will need to obtain the necessary information in order to resolve their citation. If you have lost your ticket, contact the court handling your case to inquire about details, such as your citation number, due date, fine amount and more.

Georgia Fines and Penalties

Georgia traffic tickets payments usually vary based on the county where the driver was cited, as well as the severity of the offense. Motorists who need to pay speeding tickets or other types of violations are generally required to submit the base fine as provided on their citation, in addition to other possible court costs and surcharges. The most common fees in Atlanta are outlined in the list below:

• Obstructing traffic – $175
• Driving while wearing headphones – $175
• Failure to use correct signal – $132
• Failure to yield right of way – $175

An additional $200 GA traffic violation fine will apply if you are cited under the state super speeder law. Drivers will be recognized as super speeders provided they were traveling 75 mph or faster on a two-lane road or 85 mph or faster on other state roads or highways. Other serious penalties will apply to DUI’s. You should consult a GA traffic lawyer to navigate this offense.

Points in Georgia

Drivers convicted of certain traffic violations in Georgia will receive a specific number of demerit points on their GA driving record. Note that not all GA traffic tickets result in points being placed against your transcript.

A speeding traffic violation less than 15 mph over the speed limit, for instance, is a non-point assigned offense. The list below includes various Georgia traffic violations and their corresponding points:

• Aggressive driving – 6 points
• Reckless driving – 4 points
• Failure to obey a law enforcement agent – 3 points
• Speeding 15 to 18 mph over the limit – 2 points
• Driving while texting – 1 point

Note: Motorists may be eligible for a points reduction by completing a Georgia defensive driving course.

How Tickets Affect a Georgia Drivers License

Failure to respond to a Georgia traffic citation or appear in court in due time may result in a suspension of your driving privileges. If you decide to pay online or via other methods, thus admitting your guilt, points may also be assigned on your report.

In the event that you amass 15 demerit points within a 24-month period, your driving activities will be suspended once again. To reduce the number of demerit points, you will be required to successfully complete a certified Georgia traffic school course and provide a completion card to the Georgia Department of Driver Services.

Note: Certain GA traffic violation courts may allow drivers to change their court date, by providing a written request and explaining why they cannot appear on the set date.

Georgia Car Insurance Fines and Violations

Motorists who are unable to beat a traffic ticket in Georgia or simply decide to submit payment must be prepared for higher GA vehicle insurance premiums. In the case of several citations due to driving or non-driving offenses, you may be viewed as a risky motorist, thus reducing your chance of earning insurance discounts. By completing a traffic school, you may not only deduct points from your record but also avoid insurance rate increases.

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