Traffic violations can lead to serious consequences, some of which you may not have even considered. In addition to steep fines, there is the possibility of spending time behind bars, your insurance rates will likely skyrocket, and the impact on your social standing can be harsh. Whether you’re facing a civil hearing or a criminal charge, bringing your strongest defense is always to your advantage, and an experienced defense lawyer in Marietta is standing by to help.
Traffic Violations
There is a wide range of traffic violation charges, and they should all be taken seriously. To begin, each conviction will earn you a specific number of points against your driver’s license, and the accumulation of 15 points in any 24 months supports a driver’s license suspension.
Common examples of traffic violations include all the following:
- Seat belt violations
- Failure to use a child seat or failure to use a child seat correctly
- Speeding and speeding over 100 miles per hour
- Charges related to driving without a license or driving with a suspended license
- Violations related to failure to yield and other yield-related charges
- Aggressive driving
- Failure to stop
- Illegal U-turn
- Engaging in a speed contest, such as drag racing
- Chargeable accidents that lead to injury and chargeable accidents that don’t
- Reckless driving that leads to injury and reckless driving that does not
- Hit-and-run accidents that cause injury and hit-and-run accidents that don’t
- Drunk driving that leads to injury, and drunk driving that does not
If you’re facing a charge for a traffic violation, reach out for the practiced legal representation you need.
DUI Charges
In Georgia, DUI charges apply if your blood alcohol content (BAC) is .08 percent or higher, or if the authorities allege your driving was impaired by drugs or alcohol (even with a legal BAC level). It is imperative to call a DUI defense attorney immediately following an arrest, as you have minimal time to protect your driver’s license while your case is pending and to begin building a strong defense.
Consequences and Penalties for DUI Charges
If you’re charged with DUI – or driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs – you’re facing a criminal charge, which can go on your permanent record. While DUI charges are usually misdemeanors, they can be elevated to the felony level for a range of reasons. These include having three or more DUIs in 10 years as well as causing someone else to suffer serious harm or death while under the influence.
The consequences of a first DUI conviction in Georgia can include the following:
- Fines from $300 to $1,000
- Jail time from 24 hours, which can be waived, up to 12 months
- Driver’s license suspension of up to 12 months – with the possibility of a limited driving permit after 120 days have elapsed
- At least 40 hours of community service
- A DUI school requirement
- 12 months of probation
A DUI conviction is not inevitable, as there are many defense strategies to reduce or even dismiss your charges. You should never delay in hiring a DUI defense attorney to begin working on your case and protect your future from costly penalties.
Talk to an Experienced DUI Defense Lawyer in Marietta, GA
At Essa, Janho & Associates, LLC, our skilled DUI and traffic violation defense attorneys proudly serve clients in Marietta and throughout Georgia. We are committed to protecting your rights and pursuing the best possible outcome for your case. Contact us online or call 770-955-8322 today.