The Most Important Questions I Ask When Providing a Georgia Traffic Citation Consultation

Every time I get called with a traffic citation, there are four questions that are by far the most important pieces of information I need to know to provide the best advice possible regarding your citation. Those questions are:

1) What is the specific citation and O.C.G.A. code section that you are alleged to have violated? Knowing the specific code section allows me to tell you if and how the citation may impact your driving history, if there are any collateral consequences like a drivers license suspension involved in resolving the citation, and whether it’s a citation you should just pay without any further effort.

2) How old are you? The Georgia Department of Driver Services handles offenses differently for drivers at different ages. Drivers under 17 have their citations handled in Juvenile Court. Drivers under 18 are only allowed to accumulate four total points before they turn 18 or will have their license suspended. Drivers 18 to 21 can have their license suspended if convicted of any four point moving violation. Drivers 21 and over are all treated the same. But your age may impact consequences of the alleged traffic violation.

3) Where do you have to appear in court? Different courthouses in the metro Atlanta area handle traffic citations differently. What may be an easy resolution in a North Fulton Municipal Court like Roswell, Sandy Springs, Johns Creek, Milton, or Alpharetta may not be so easy in the Douglasville Municipal Court or the DeKalb County Traffic Court.

4) Do You have a Georgia drivers license? If you are a Georgia resident, it is likely to your benefit to have a Georgia drivers license. If you have an out of state drivers license and are living in Georgia and it is not temporary, get a Georgia drivers license. Some traffic citations get reported on out of state drivers licenses that would not get reported if you have a Georgia drivers license. Also, if your license is suspended in due to a Georgia traffic citation and that violation is eligible for a limited driving permit, you cannot get a limited driving permit in Georgia with an out of state drivers license.

These four questions can help me assist you with almost any Georgia traffic citation. If you have received a citation and would like advice on how to move forward or whether to hire an attorney, call or text me today at 678-753-6431.