Traffic violations are some of the most common criminal offenses and usually result in misdemeanor charges. However, these infractions can incur serious penalties depending on the situation and may even result in felony charges in some circumstances. If you are facing criminal charges for a moving violation, you could benefit from the legal guidance of a DeKalb County traffic lawyer. A qualified legal professional could examine the evidence in your case and help you minimize the potential consequences of this offense.
Traffic offenses in the state range in severity, from speeding to driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Other common infractions include:
These offenses can all lead to a traffic stop and could result in a potential arrest if the driver was found to be intoxicated. Even if a driver manages to avoid the more severe criminal penalties, they could still face steep fines and gain points on their license, which could significantly restrict their driving privileges or result in a license suspension. A skilled attorney in the DeKalb County area could assist an individual who has been accused of any of these traffic violations.
Every moving violation in Georgia carries a certain point value that will be attributed to a driver’s license upon conviction. If an individual accumulates 15 or more points in any two-year period, they will face a license suspension. For the more serious traffic offenses such as DUIs, fines and jail time may be levied against the defendant.
Traffic violations can also impact a driver’s insurance rates. People with a history of convictions for both minor and major traffic offenses will be put into an increased risk category by insurance companies and will be charged much more than the average driver for the same coverage. This particular consequence makes avoiding a conviction for a traffic violation a critical step in avoiding long-term financial harm.
Almost all traffic violations in DeKalb County are considered misdemeanors, and certain violations may afford civil treatment. Some individuals may have the opportunity to resolve a misdemeanor traffic citation with a lesser charge through a county ordinance, which would allow them to keep their driving history clean and prevent their insurance company from discovering the infraction.
However, if someone accumulates several convictions for certain crimes, they could face felony prosecution by a district attorney. These charges are usually reserved for repeated convictions for driving on a suspended license, driving without insurance, or driving under the influence.
Felony convictions on some of these repeat traffic violations can carry up to five years in prison, thousands of dollars in fines, and permanent loss of driving privileges in the state. The potential penalties for traffic infractions and the impact on one’s driving record may make the help of an experienced local lawyer crucial in these cases.
Though many traffic offenses are minor and may not severely impact your life, serious infractions and multiple convictions could result in significant consequences and prevent you from maintaining your driving privileges. If you have been accused of violating state driving laws, reach out to a DeKalb County traffic lawyer right away. Call today to schedule a consultation and start building your defense.
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