If you got a ticket for running a stop sign or stop light, you may think there’s little recourse for you since you were “caught red-handed” so to speak. However, this isn’t quite true. There are many ways to get out of a failure to stop a ticket in Atlanta, Georgia. 

5 Simple But Effective Arguments To Get Out Of A Failure To Stop Ticket

1. Cast Doubt On the Testimony of the Officer Who Stopped Your Vehicle 

Since most traffic courts tend to believe the testimony of the police officer
who pulled you over, you may be successful if you can cast doubt on their
version of events. For example, if you have a witness statement that offers
a different account of what happened, the judge may take the officer’s statement
with a grain of salt.

2. Challenge the Officer’s Vantage Point 

The officer may not have been able to see you stop if they were positioned at a certain angle. For example, if you came to a full stop roughly 25 feet before reaching the stop sign and then continued, it may appear as though you “rolled through” the stop sign if the officer was looking at you straight ahead. 

3. Present a Compelling Argument That Running the Stoplight or Stop Sign Was Justified 

You may be able to offer an argument that running the stop sign or stoplight was justified. If, for example, you had an emergency or you ran the stop sign to avoid an accident, the judge might grant you leniency. 

4. Prove That the Sign Was a New Installation That You Could Not Have Reasonably Expected 

If the stop sign or stoplight was just installed, you could potentially make the case that you could not have reasonably expected the sign to be there. 

5. Make an Argument That You Were Not Able to See the Sign 

If you were pulled over for not stopping at a sign that was covered in trees or other shrubbery, you may be able to make the argument that the sign wasn’t visible and you didn’t know to stop. 

Contact an Experienced Atlanta, Georgia Traffic Ticket Lawyer Now to Protect Your Driving Record 

Avoid the temptation to just pay the fine on the ticket and let the matter be dismissed — this could negatively impact your driving record now and in the future. You also risk having your vehicle insurance rates increased. 

Contact The Kimbrel Law Firm today for a consultation to discuss your legal options by calling (770) 349-9219.