What You Need to Know About Paying a Georgia Traffic Citation Before Your Court Date

Paying your Georgia traffic ticket before court to avoid taking the time from your day to appear in court may seem like an easy solution to resolving your citation, but paying your ticket comes with some very specific consequences that all Georgia drivers should know before paying that citation.

1.       Not Every Georgia Traffic Violation is Eligible to be Paid before Court

Some citations are “must appear” offenses, meaning you cannot resolve your case prior to your first court appearance. Common “must appear” violations include, but are not limited to: citations you receive after car accidents, driving on a suspended license, driving without insurance, Driving under the Influence (DUI), hit and run, move-over violations, speeding in excess of 25mph over the speed limit, aggressive driving, and racing.

2.       Paying your Citation before Court means you are pleading Guilty to the Offense

If you pay your traffic ticket prior to your court appearance you are pleading guilty to the offense. Most traffic citations have the option of pleading guilty, nolo contendere (no contest), or not guilty to the violation. Paying before court means your are resolving the case at the time of payment. If also means that you do not have the ability to plead nolo contendere to the citation. A nolo plea may prevent points from being assessed on your Georgia drivers license and in some situations may prevent your license from being suspended in a situation where a guilty plea would suspend your license.  

3.       Paying your Citation before Court means the Offense will Most Likely Appear on Your Driving History

Most Georgia traffic violations will be recorded on your Georgia driving history if you plead guilty or no contest to the violation. There are a few traffic violations that are only reported if you are driving in a commercial motor vehicle, but the majority of offenses will go on you driving history. Citations that go on your driving history can impact insurance rates and will appear on your driving history the next time you are pulled over by a police officer.

4.       Appearing in Court for Your Traffic Ticket Can Potentially Get the Violation Reduced or Dismissed

Appearing in court on your Georgia traffic ticket allows you the opportunity to request a pre-trial on your citation with the court’s solicitor. The solicitor is the lawyer who represents the municipality or county where you are appearing in court. They have the ability to dismiss or reduce your charge. They can also potentially reduce any fine or other requirements necessary to resolve your case. A reduced charge may not appear on your driving history, could prevent a mandatory license suspension, or reduce points that would go on your Georgia drivers license. Most courthouses do not afford citizens the opportunity to pre-try their case before their court date. You would need to appear or hire an attorney to appear for you on the day of court.

Paying your traffic ticket in advance may feel like a convenience. You do not have to take time off work, find childcare, or worry about the stresses of being in court. But you may also be giving up the ability to get the best possible outcome for your traffic ticket. Appearing in court or hiring an attorney to appear for you may give you the best outcome in your case.

Before you decide what you want to do, please give me call or text me at 678-753-6431 for a free consultation. We will talk about your options and potential outcomes helping you to make the best decision for yourself regarding your case.