DUI And Traffic Defense

 

 

 

DUI

 

Did you know that merely being ARRESTED for DUI can cause your license to be suspended? And, if convicted, you face an even longer suspension period possibly without a limited driver’s permit.  Georgia law divides DUI convictions into stages depending on priors and how long ago the conviction occurred.  The Legislature has taken most, if not all, discretion away from the courts in sentencing and license suspensions which makes negotiating with prosecutors and law enforcement officers very tricky.

 

DUI sentences are serious and can cause major consequences.  For example, a first lifetime DUI conviction requires:

 

• mandatory 12 month probationary period (no early termination)

• 24 hours in custody

• $300 fine plus surcharges

• 40 hours of community service

• a state approved risk reduction driving class

• alcohol and drug evaluation with treatment if recommended

• no alcohol or drugs during the period of probation

• random alcohol and drug screens at your expense

• license suspension for 12 months (limited permit available in certain circumstances and early reinstatement possible)

 

2nd and 3rd DUI convictions in 10 years require a longer jail sentence, higher fines, additional community service hours and much more! Additionally, DUI convictions can cost hundreds, even thousands, of dollars in reinstatement fees, reporting fees, higher vehicle insurance coverage, and equipment rental fees. DUIs can also hamper your travel plans as some foreign countries restrict entrance to those convicted of DUI.

 

Fortunately, skilled DUI attorneys know how to protect your rights and fight to keep your driving privileges intact.  Don’t wait until it’s too late.  Call us as soon as possible after an arrest to make sure ALL of your rights and options are preserved.

 

 

 

 

Traffic

 

 

Driver’s License suspensions can be crippling. Driving privileges can be suspended for point violations, guilty pleas to certain offenses, DUI arrests, failure to pay child support, failure to pay super speeder fee within 120 days of conviction, failing to appear in court, etc.  Limited driving permits are available in some situations but some convictions cause “hard suspensions” which do not allow for a permit. 

 

While it may seem expensive to retain an attorney to handle a citation, it will cost you much more in the end if handled incorrectly.  Clients repeatedly call the Snyder Adams Law Firm asking what can be done to “undo” a bad outcome such as a license suspension with no possible permit, extreme fines and missed court dates. Don’t risk possibly losing your driving privileges to save a few dollars. Merely paying the fine or going to court to plead guilty without a lawyer can have devastating consequences.

 

Points:

The Georgia Point System ranges from 2 to 6 points. A driver with 15 points in a 24 month period will be suspended. Drivers under 21 face suspension for convictions of 4 point offenses and drivers under 18 will face suspension for accumulating more than 4 points in a 12 month period. No points are assessed for speeding convictions less than 15 miles-per hour over the posted speed limit and for driving too fast for conditions convictions. Below is a list of common offenses and points allocated to each offense.

 

Aggressive Driving - 6 points

Reckless Driving - 4 points

Unlawful Passing School Bus - 6 points

Improper Passing on Hill or Curve - 4 points

 

Speeding:

15 to 18 mph over speed limit - 2 points

19 to 23 mph over speed limit - 3 points

24 to 33 mph over speed limit - 4 points

34 mph or more over speed limit - 6 points

 

Failure to Obey Traffic-Control Device - 3 points

Possessing an Open Container of an Alcoholic Beverage while Driving - 2 points

Failure to Adequately Secure Load resulting in an Accident - 2 points

 

Violation of Child Safety Restraint:

1st Offense - 1 point

2nd or Subsequent Offense - 2 points

Operating a Vehicle while Text Messaging - 1 point

 

Jennifer knows the importance of a valid driver's license and strives to protect her client's driving privileges in every case. Her extensive experience with Municipal and Recorders Courts around the metro area allow her to get fantastic results for her clients. Whether it is a super speeder ticket, driving with a suspended license or any other traffic violation or warrant, Jennifer will get the issues sorted out and get the client back on the road driving legally as soon as possible.