Cherokee County Traffic Lawyer

According to the Encyclopedia of Everyday Law, “the first traffic ticket in the United States was allegedly given to a New York City cab driver on May 20, 1899, for going at the breakneck speed of 12 miles per hour.”

Today, we have a myriad of local, regional traffic laws that vary from state to state, and violations may cost you far more than a fine and court expenses. Georgia uses a point system for violations of traffic laws. The points you accumulate not only affect your driving record and car insurance but may also cause you to lose your driver’s license and, depending on the circumstances, land you in jail. If you were charged with a traffic violation, you deserve an experienced criminal defense attorney at your side. Regardless of whether you are a teen or young adult, a Cherokee County traffic lawyer could assess your case, explain what options you have, and help you get a second chance out on the road.

Common Examples of Traffic Offenses

It is inevitable that the operation of motor vehicles on state roads leads to many traffic violations.  Speeding, moving violations, driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs (DUI), hit and run, vehicular manslaughter, driving without a license, and reckless operation are only a few instances.

A conviction for a traffic violation in Cherokee County could result in a combination of the following:

  • Fines
  • Points
  • Increased insurance rates
  • Jail or prison sentence
  • Suspension of driver’s license
  • Vehicle confiscation
  • Ignition lock device installation
  • Alcohol abuse assessment & treatment
  • Criminal record
  • Job loss
  • Community service

Speeding and other minor traffic offenses may result only in fines. However, they are also criminal offenses. Repeat offenses carry the stiffest penalties, as do accidents that lead to death, and drunk driving charges such as driving under the influence (DUI).

How Many Points Does Each Traffic Offense Get?

State code establishes the follow point distribution for various traffic offenses:

Aggressive driving 6 points
Reckless driving 4 points
Unlawful passing of a school bus 6 points
Improper passing on a hill or a curve 4 points
Exceeding the speed limit by more than 14 miles per hour, but less than 19 miles per hour 2 points
Exceeding the speed limit by 19 miles per hour or more, but less than 24 miles per hour 3 points
Exceeding the speed limit by 24 miles per hour or more, but less than 34 miles per hour 4 points
Exceeding the speed limit by 34 miles per hour or more 6 points
Disobedience of any traffic-control device or traffic officer 3 points
Too fast for conditions 0 points
Possessing an open container of an alcoholic beverage, while driving 2 points
Failure to adequately secure a load, except fresh farm produce, resulting in loss of such load onto the roadway, which results in an accident 2 points
Violation of child safety restraint requirements, first offense 1 point
Violation of child safety restraint requirements, second or subsequent offense 2 points
All other moving traffic violations which are not speed limit violations 3 points

The Code also provides that the commissioner shall suspend the driver’s license of any person who has accumulated a violation point count of 15 or more points in any consecutive 24-month period. At the end of the period of suspension, the violation point count shall be reduced to zero points.

If a young plaintiff of their family needs further clarification about the point system for traffic offenses, a seasoned lawyer in Cherokee County could elaborate during a consultation.

Suspending the License of Drivers Under 21

State laws establish that, for drivers under 21, any off the following offenses will result in a license suspension:

  • Hit and run or leaving the scene of an accident in violation of Code Section 4-6-270
  • Racing on highways or streets
  • Using a motor vehicle in fleeing or attempting to elude an officer
  • Reckless driving
  • Any offense for which four or more points are assessable under subsection (c) of Code Section 40-5-57
    • Unlawful passing of a school bus
    • Improper passing on a hill or curve
    • Exceeding the speed limit by 24 miles per hour or more
    • Purchasing an alcoholic beverage
  • Driving under the Influence
  • Aggressive Driving, Code Section 40-6-397
  • Misrepresenting age for purpose of illegally obtaining any alcoholic beverage (3-3-23 (a) (3))
  • Misrepresenting identity or using false identification for purpose of purchasing or obtaining any alcoholic beverage (3-3-23 (a) (5)
  • Accumulating a violation point count of four or more points within any 12-month period

Facing a license suspension could be frightening and have a profound impact on a teen or young adults’ life, but a compassionate Cherokee County attorney could fight this conviction or help minimize the consequences.

Speak With a Cherokee County Traffic Attorney About Your Case

At our practice, we regularly assist clients with a full range of traffic citations from DUI to speeding and moving violations, as well as charges filed in connection with traffic accidents and license suspensions.

When you are charged with a traffic violation in and your freedom to drive is curtailed, your job is in jeopardy, and you are facing potential jail time, call our law firm to arrange an appointment and learn how we can help. Our Cherokee County traffic lawyers can provide the detailed and professional guidance you need.

Ghanouni Teen & Young Adult Defense Firm

Ghanouni Teen & Young Adult Defense Firm N/a
Address
3227 S Cherokee Ln,Suite 1360
Woodstock
GA 30188
Map & Directions
Phone
(770) 720-6336