Atlanta Traffic Tickets | Atlanta Speeding Ticket Lawyer

By: Larry Kohn, Speeding Ticket Attorney in Atlanta, Georgia

It seems that almost everyone speeds in the metro Atlanta area – on residential streets, highways and interstates like I85, I75, and I285. Drivers are caught speeding in school zones on their way to work, speeding up Roswell Road on their way to dinner in Sandy Springs, or doing 80 miles per hour around the Perimeter. Only a handful of drivers get pulled over by Atlanta Police, Sandy Springs Police, or Cobb County Police. Your traffic violation fine amount hinges on the type of ticket you were issued, and the degree of infraction. For example, if a cop catches you on radar doing 45 mph in a 25 mph school zone, your fine amount will be higher than someone else who gets pulled over for driving 30 mph in that same school zone.

Georgia also has added a special super speeder “tax” on top of regular court fines, so if you are clocked going 85 mph on Georgia 400 where the speed limit is 65 mph you will be issued a separate super speeder ticket and will have to pay $200 on top of the other speeding ticket you get.

Are All Traffic Tickets Misdemeanors in GA?

Traffic tickets in Georgia are classified as misdemeanors - but don’t take your case lightly. Even though a traffic ticket is not considered a felony offense, and you usually won’t end up in jail, the financial hit can be major if you are found guilty. You have to look beyond just the court fine you have to pay. If you get too many speeding tickets in a certain amount of time your auto insurance premiums will increase. You may even be denied coverage going forward and will have to rely on an inferior quality insurance product that has higher deductibles and less coverage.

Plus, some callers to our traffic ticket lawyers near me ask “How many points is a speeding ticket in GA?” The general rule is that points are assessed when a speeder is convicted of exceeding the posted limit by 15 mph or more. Moving violations for less than 15 miles per hour overage will not be filed at the Georgia DDS (our state’s DMV), so your insurance company should never find out about it.

Most speeding violations near me are misdemeanors in Georgia. Generally, a misdemeanor is punishable by up to $1,000 in fines and/or a maximum 12 months in jail. However, speeding offenses typically do not result in any jail time.

How Much Will My Fine Be for Violating a Georgia Driving Law?

People call our law office all the time and ask, “How much is a speeding ticket in Georgia?” and the answer is you can look up your fine amount online here. If your court date has passed and you didn’t pay the ticket, then you must contact the local court listed on your traffic summons. Do not delay in contacting the court clerk, because you may face a failure to appear FTA situation which can lead to a suspended license and possible jail time.

Generally, the maximum fines for a first speeding violation in GA are:

GA Speeding Ticket Fine Schedule

• $0 for exceeding the limit by five miles per hour or less
• $25 for exceeding the limit by more than five but not more than ten miles per hour
• $100 for exceeding the limit by more than ten but not more than 14 miles per hour
• $125 for exceeding the limit by more than 14 but less than 19 miles per hour
• $150 for exceeding the limit by at least 19 but less than 24 miles per hour, and
• $500 for exceeding the limit by at least 24 but less than 34 miles per hour.

WARNING: Highway Work Zones Pose a Great Risk, Plus the Super Speeder Georgia Issue

The cost of a speeding ticket in Georgia depends on where the violation occurred, the amount by which the motorist exceeded the speed limit, and the motorist’s driving record. Note that drivers facing a repeat speeding conviction are not “capped” by the number below.

The absolute speed limit locations as set forth in GA Code Sections 40-6-181, 40-6-182 and 40-6-183 are as follows (unless other signage reduces that limit due to hazardous conditions):

• 30 miles per hour in urban areas and residential districts that will be marked by signs;
• 35 M.P.H. on unpaved roads;
• 65 miles-per-hour on sections of divided highways (those with a grass, concrete or other separator) without full access control on the state of GA highway system;
• 70 mph of federal interstate highways; and
• 55 miles per hour on other roadways.

For all speeding violations, the judge will impose various fees - in addition to the fines above - that will substantially increase the final cost of the citation. These types of problems are why many drivers facing speeding charges hire a traffic ticket attorney.

Do I Need an Attorney for Traffic Court?

No, you do not. You can represent yourself, plead guilty, and walk around to the cashier’s office and pay your fine. The judge and the prosecutor will not say anything to you beyond asking if your traffic ticket lawyer is present. If you have ever been to Atlanta Traffic Court and sat in the audience for a day you will see that most defendants do not have a lawyer present. This usually happens because people simply cannot afford a private attorney, or the person doesn’t take into account all the costs caused by a traffic violation conviction. Beyond court fines and other fees you have to remember that a certain number of points will be tacked onto your driver’s license, and too many points means a suspended license.

An Atlanta traffic ticket lawyer can at least talk to you and explain all the costs of going it alone, and cover legal fee payment plan options. If you already have points on your driving record from previous tickets, and the next conviction puts you over the limit on suspension points, a traffic lawyer can really help.

Get a free consultation with our award-winning ticket lawyers, ex-cop Cory Yager, Larry Kohn, and Bubba Head. (404) 567-5515. Our law office can help locate proven traffic ticket attorneys near me, anywhere in Georgia.

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