Atlanta Traffic Tickets | Atlanta Speeding Ticket Lawyer

Atlanta Traffic Tickets: Why You Need a Speeding Ticket Lawyer

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

Atlanta drivers face traffic citations every day. Citations range from speeding on I-85 and I-285 to red light violations on Peachtree Street. Most traffic tickets in Georgia are misdemeanors under Georgia law on motor vehicle traffic offenses, unless the code declares otherwise for a particular offense. That means points on your license, higher insurance rates, and the risk of a suspended license if you accumulate too many violations. Whether you need a speeding ticket lawyer or a red light ticket lawyer, the stakes are the same.

Our speeding ticket lawyers can help you fight back. We handle speeding tickets, red light citations, and other moving violations. Whether your case is in Atlanta Municipal Court or Fulton County State Court, we can assist you.

Georgia also adds a super speeder fee of $200 on top of your court fine. This fee applies if you are convicted of driving 85 mph or more on any road or highway. It also applies at 75 mph or more on a two-lane highway. Call (404) 567-5515 for a free consultation with a traffic ticket lawyer who handles cases across metro Atlanta.

Are All Traffic Tickets Misdemeanors in GA?

In Georgia, most traffic tickets are classified as misdemeanors. Do not take your case lightly. Even though a traffic ticket is not a felony, and jail time is rare, the financial hit can be major if you are found guilty.

Look beyond just the court fine. If you get too many speeding tickets in a short time, your auto insurance premiums will increase. You may even be denied coverage. Then you will have to rely on inferior insurance with higher deductibles and less coverage. Contesting the citation starts with building a defense to your Georgia speeding ticket. Our guide to Georgia speeding laws adds seven more tips for drivers who want to understand the traffic laws behind their citation.

Some callers ask us how many points a speeding ticket carries in Georgia. The general rule is that points are assessed when a driver is convicted of exceeding the posted limit by 15 mph or more. Speeding convictions for less than 15 mph over the limit in a noncommercial vehicle are not reported to the Georgia DDS. Georgia DDS is our state's motor vehicle department. Because it stays off your driving record, your insurance company will not see it there.

Most speeding violations near me are misdemeanors in Georgia. Generally, a misdemeanor is punishable by a fine of up to $1,000, up to 12 months in jail, or both. But speeding offenses typically do not result in any jail time.

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

Callers ask us "How much is a speeding ticket in Georgia?" You can look up your fine amount online here. If your court date has passed and you did not pay the ticket, contact the local court listed on your traffic summons.

Do not delay in contacting the court clerk. You may face a failure to appear situation. This can lead to a suspended license and possible jail time. Unless the code sets a different maximum or a greater minimum, the maximum fines for a first speeding violation in Georgia are shown below.

Georgia courts add surcharges and local court costs on top of base fines for most moving violations. These additional fees significantly increase the total amount you owe. In Atlanta Municipal Court and Fulton County State Court, surcharges apply for technology fees, victim compensation funds, and other assessments. The exact amount varies by court and violation.

Unless the traffic code sets a different maximum for the offense, the misdemeanor maximum fine is $1,000. The judge sets the fine within that limit based on the offense and your driving history.

If you ignore the ticket entirely, the consequences grow worse. Unless the court orders otherwise, failing to respond to a traffic citation brings an indefinite license suspension. You must then pay all fines and penalties plus a $100 restoration fee, or $90 by mail, to get your license back. Driving during the suspension period is a separate criminal offense. Respond to every citation on time, even if you plan to contest it.

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 19 or more but less than 24 miles per hour

$500 for exceeding the limit by 24 or more 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. It also depends on how much the motorist exceeded the speed limit and the motorist's driving record. Note that these caps cover only a first offense, and only an overage of less than 34 miles per hour.

Georgia law sets maximum lawful speed limits by location. Those limits are the maximum unless a special hazard calls for a lower speed or the limit has been lawfully altered.

30 miles per hour in any urban or residential district unless signs designate otherwise;

35 miles per hour on an unpaved county road unless signs designate otherwise;

65 miles per hour, where posted, on physically divided highways without full access control on the state highway system;

70 miles per hour, where posted, on federal interstate highways.

55 miles per hour in all other locations.

For all speeding violations, the judge will impose various fees in addition to the fines above. These fees will substantially increase the final cost of the citation. Many drivers facing speeding charges hire a traffic ticket lawyer for this reason. Our Atlanta traffic lawyers handle these cases in courts across metro Atlanta.

Red Light Ticket Lawyer: Fighting Red Light Violations in Atlanta

If you received a red light citation in Atlanta, a red light ticket lawyer can help you understand your options. We can fight for a favorable outcome. Georgia law draws a sharp line between two types of red light violations. The consequences differ significantly.

Officer-Issued Red Light Citations

When a police officer personally witnesses you run a red light, the citation charges a failure to obey a traffic-control signal. That violation is a misdemeanor. A conviction adds 3 points to your license under Georgia's point schedule. It also goes on your driving record. The fine is set by the judge within the misdemeanor maximum fine of $1,000.

Insurance companies will see this violation when they pull your driving history. Your premiums could rise for years. CDL holders face additional consequences. Under Georgia law, commercial drivers must report traffic convictions other than parking to their employer in writing within 30 days.

Automated Red Light Camera Tickets

Georgia also allows traffic-control signal monitoring devices to capture red light violations. These automated camera tickets are fundamentally different. The civil monetary penalty cannot exceed $70. No points are assessed. The violation is noncriminal. It will not appear on your driving record. It cannot be used for insurance purposes. The citation is mailed to the registered owner of the vehicle, not necessarily the driver.

Common Defenses for Red Light Tickets

An attorney experienced in traffic defense may challenge an officer-issued red light citation on several grounds. These include the timing and duration of the yellow signal. They also include an obstructed view of the traffic light. The officer's vantage point relative to the intersection matters. So does the vehicle's position in the intersection when the light changed. In some situations, a driver may have entered the intersection to avoid a rear-end collision. This is called a necessity defense.

A traffic ticket lawyer may also negotiate with the city solicitor for a reduction to a non-moving violation. A non-moving violation carries no points. Depending on the driver's record, a first nolo contendere plea in five years may keep points off the license. Dismissal with completion of a defensive driving course is another possible resolution. The best strategy depends on your driving history and the specific facts of the stop. An experienced red light lawyer can tell you which of these arguments fits your case.

Do I Need an Attorney for Atlanta Traffic Court?

You have the right to represent yourself in Atlanta traffic court. Many drivers plead guilty, pay the fine, and put it behind them. But doing so means accepting the full consequences of a conviction. Those consequences extend well beyond the courtroom.

A guilty plea to a moving violation puts points on your Georgia driver's license. Those points stay on your record. They can trigger insurance rate increases that last for years. If you already carry points from prior tickets, one more conviction could push you past the threshold for a license suspension. CDL holders face even steeper stakes. A traffic conviction other than parking must be reported to their employer in writing within 30 days under Georgia law on commercial driver reporting requirements.

A traffic ticket lawyer handles the negotiation that self-represented drivers rarely get. In Atlanta Municipal Court, an attorney can meet with the city solicitor before your case is called. We negotiate for reduced charges. Common outcomes include a reduction to a non-moving violation with no points. A nolo contendere plea is another option. Dismissal after completion of a defensive driving program approved by the Department of Driver Services is also possible.

Hiring a lawyer is especially important in certain situations. Super speeder tickets carry a separate $200 super speeder fee on top of the court fine. If that fee is unpaid 90 days after the notice, your license is suspended and a $50 fee is added. Red light citations with points can affect your record for years. Drivers under 21 lose their license by law for any offense carrying four or more points. Anyone with prior convictions risks a suspended license. A free consultation can help you understand the full cost of your citation before you decide how to proceed.

What Does a Running Red Light Ticket Cost in GA?

The running red light ticket cost GA drivers face depends on how the violation was documented.

For an officer-issued red light citation under Georgia law on red light violations, the fine is set by the judge within the misdemeanor maximum fine of $1,000. Courts also add surcharges and local fees. These increase the total. Beyond the fine, a conviction adds 3 points to your license. It stays on your driving record.

An automated red light camera ticket under Georgia law on traffic-control signal monitoring devices costs no more than $70. No points are assessed. The violation is noncriminal. It does not appear on your driving record. It cannot be used for insurance purposes.

The long-term financial impact of an officer-issued citation often exceeds the fine itself. Insurance companies review your driving record when setting premiums. A red light conviction could mean higher rates for several years. If you accumulate 15 or more points in any 24-month period, the Georgia DDS must suspend your license. Reinstatement after a points suspension requires an approved defensive driving course and a $210 restoration fee, or $200 by mail.

Speak With an Atlanta Traffic Ticket Lawyer Today

Kohn & Yager LLC handles speeding tickets, red light citations, super speeder charges, reckless driving, and other moving violations. We handle cases in Atlanta Municipal Court, Fulton County State Court, and courts across metro Atlanta. We offer free consultations so you can understand your options before your court date. If you are unsure how serious your traffic violation is, ask us before that date arrives.

Your citation names the court date by which you must respond. Failing to respond could result in a license suspension and additional fees. On your first call, we will review the details of your citation. We will explain the possible consequences. We will discuss strategies to protect your driving record.

Call (404) 567-5515 today. Past results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Every case is different and results depend on the specific facts.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is a Red Light Camera Ticket in Georgia the Same as a Ticket From a Police Officer?

No. An automated red light camera ticket under Georgia law on traffic-control signal monitoring devices is a civil penalty of no more than $70. It carries no points. It is noncriminal. It does not go on your driving record or affect your insurance. An officer-issued citation under Georgia law on red light violations is a misdemeanor. It adds 3 points to your license. It can increase your insurance premiums.

How Many Points Does a Red Light Ticket Add to My Georgia Driver's License?

An officer-issued red light violation adds 3 points to your Georgia driver's license. An automated camera ticket adds zero points. It is classified as noncriminal and cannot be made part of your driving record.

Can a Red Light Ticket Lawyer Get My Citation Dismissed in Atlanta?

Dismissal is possible depending on the facts of your case. A lawyer may challenge the officer's vantage point. We can question the timing of the yellow signal. We can examine whether the traffic-control device was properly positioned. Negotiated outcomes may include a reduction to a non-moving violation. Completion of a defensive driving course is another option. A nolo contendere plea is also possible. Results depend on the circumstances of each case.

How Much Does Running a Red Light Ticket Cost in Georgia?

For an officer-issued citation, the judge sets the fine within the misdemeanor maximum fine of $1,000 plus surcharges and court costs. An automated camera ticket carries a maximum civil penalty of $70. No points are assessed and there is no impact on your driving record.

Will a Red Light Ticket Raise My Car Insurance in Georgia?

An officer-issued red light conviction may raise your insurance rates because it appears on your driving record with 3 points. An automated camera ticket under Georgia law on traffic-control signal monitoring devices cannot be used for insurance purposes and should not affect your premiums.