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What Are the 4 Steps to Contesting a Traffic Ticket?

If you were stopped for a traffic violation and ticketed, you may think nothing of paying the fine and moving forward with life. However, this may not be in your best interests and you may be better off contesting the ticket in court. Here’s are the 4 steps to contesting a traffic ticket and how to get the legal help you need. 

Understand Your Local Traffic Laws 

 

Many people don’t have a good understanding of their state, city, and county traffic laws. This can lead to confusion over what the officer actually stopped you for and whether or not you actually violated Georgia traffic law. 

Take some time to get familiar with traffic laws in your area, especially those pertaining to the alleged violation you were ticketed for. An experienced traffic lawyer can help you better understand traffic laws or direct you to reputable resources where you can find the information.

Ask for Copies All Documents Related to Your Traffic Stop 

You’ll want to obtain copies of all documents related to your traffic ticket. In some cases, this may simply be the police report that the officer wrote up after stopping you. In other cases where a traffic ticket is related to an accident, there may be more documents such as witness reports, medical records, depositions, and more. 

Don’t rely on other entities to keep accurate records of what transpired when you were ticketed. Get copies of the police report and other documents as soon as they become available and keep them in a safe place that only you know about. 

Make Sure Your Defense Is Viable 

It’s important that your ensure your defense is sound before attempting to challenge a ticket in traffic court. This is where the support of an attorney helps tremendously. 

Your lawyer can evaluate all possible defenses and angles, determine which defense tactic the evidence at hand supports, and recommend a strategy that has the best chances of success. Your attorney can also let you know if there’s just not enough evidence to form a defense and can recommend an alternative to contest the ticket that works more in your favor. 

Contact an Experienced Traffic Ticket Attorney to Represent You 

Don’t wait to consult a traffic lawyer after being issued a ticket, especially if you stand to lose your license. At The Kimbrel Law Firm, we can help you develop a defense and will represent you in traffic court to petition for the dismissal of the violation. Call now for your consultation at (770) 349-9219.

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How to Fight an Automatic Red Light Ticket

In Atlanta, many intersections have cameras programmed to take photographs when the light turns red. This allows the cameras to catch drivers running red lights without the need for law enforcement presence. The camera photographs the individual’s license plate and generates a ticket. Then, a ticket is mailed to the driver. If you received an automatic red light ticket, here’s how to fight it with the help of a seasoned lawyer.

Challenge Photo Clarity

Automatic traffic cameras don’t necessarily capture the best photographs. Often, they are dark and grainy, making it difficult to see the license plate number, or even the make and model of the car. This is especially true because the central point of the photograph — the vehicle — is in motion.

The first thing to establish is that you are the driver of the vehicle in the photograph. If it is difficult to recognize you beyond a shadow of a doubt and they can’t prove it’s you, it’s likely that a judge will have to dismiss the ticket.

Challenge the Authentication of the Photo

Another defense would be to challenge the validity of the photo. Sometimes during traffic hearings, a representative from the camera manufacturer is available to report that the camera was working properly at the time the photo was captured. However, if no representative from the camera company is available to authenticate the photo, you could have the photo struck from your file. In these cases, the photo is generally the only evidence available. Therefore, it may be possible for your case to be dismissed.

Challenge Your Actions

In some cases, you may erroneously receive an automatic red light ticket. For example, if you made a legal right turn at a red light, you may challenge that you didn’t break any laws and therefore should not have received the ticket.

Don’t let an automatic red light ticket add points to your license and increase your risk of a license suspension. Contact an Atlanta traffic ticket lawyer today for help. Call the Kimbrel Law Firm now at 770-349-9219.

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How Can I Get Out of Speeding with a Warning?

Five Things That May Help You Get A Warning Rather Than A Traffic Ticket

 

If you’re stopped for speeding, you may be given a warning instead of a ticket. Can you increase the chances of that happening? Here’s what might help. 

1. Be Polite 

 

No one likes to be pulled over, but a bad attitude isn’t going to put the officer on your good side. Be polite to the officer and use a low, calm tone of voice. 

2. Do Not Admit to Speeding 

 

Usually, the officer who pulled you over will ask if you know why they did. Do not admit to speeding or any other driving violation. You may be tempted to say, “I was just going a little bit faster than the speed limit,” but this essentially hands the officer your case on a silver platter. Instead, tell the officer you don’t know. 

 

You truly don’t — even if you were speeding, the officer may have pulled you over for a broken taillight or for another reason. Let the officer tell you why they stopped your vehicle. 

3. Have Your Driver’s License and Insurance Card Ready 

 

Police officers stop cars for traffic violations all day, and few enjoy standing on the side of a busy road while you hunt for your ID and proof of insurance. Secure these items in a safe and easily accessible place in your vehicle in case you do get stopped. Let the police officer know where the items are located and ask for permission to retrieve them from that location when the officer asks you to produce them. 

4. Ask 

 

There’s no harm in simply asking the officer to give you a break, especially if you’re not a habitual offender. The worst that the officer will do is say no and write you a ticket anyway, which was likely to happen anyway. If you’re truly running late or dealing with an emergency, let the officer know, but don’t expect them to have an emotional response. Remain calm, even if the officer does not seem to mind that you’re having a difficult time. 

Got a Speeding Ticket? You Need an Atlanta Traffic Ticket Lawyer 

 

If you were stopped for speeding and given a ticket in spite of your best efforts to be let off with a warning, you should consult with an attorney as soon as possible. If you simply pay the ticket, this is considered entering a “guilty” plea, which will assess points to your license. If you accumulate too many points within a certain period of time, you’re at risk of losing your driving privileges.  

 

Contact me today for a consultation to learn more about fighting a speeding ticket by calling (770) 349-9219.

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What Are the Worst Traffic Tickets in Atlanta?

No one wants to get saddled with a traffic ticket, but not all tickets are created equal. Some tickets are just plain worse than others in terms of consequences, fines, and points against your license. Here’s a rundown of the worst traffic tickets to get in Atlanta and what to do if you’re pegged for any of these traffic offenses.

Atlanta DUI’s

In Georgia, a DUI ticket will raise your insurance premiums a whopping $812 — just over a 66% increase on the state average.

Speeding

Georgia is one of the strictest states in the nation when it comes to speeding. The max fine for a speeding ticket is $2,000, which is less than only two other states — Virginia and Illinois speeding fines cap out at $2,500. Georgia has Super Speeder laws that tack on an additional $200 to the fine of anyone driving over 75 mph on a two-lane road and anyone driving over 85 mph on a highway or other road.

Aggressive Driving

If you are stopped for aggressive driving, you could incur 6 points against your license in one fell swoop. If you get 15 or more points in a 24-month period, your driver’s license will be suspended. It doesn’t take many 6-point offenses to reach 15, so it’s critical to address a ticket for aggressive driving in court versus just paying the fine.

Unlawful Passing of a School Bus

The unlawful passing of a school bus in Georgia will earn you six points against your driver’s license and a hefty fine. If it’s your first offense, the fine is $300. Second offense fines are $750 and third offense fines are $1,000.

It’s possible that an Atlanta police officer would ticket you for aggressive driving and unlawful passing of a school bus, earning you 12 points against your license. If you were also speeding at the time, your license will be suspended, all arising from a single incident.

Contact the Kimbrel Law Firm Today

Many people make the mistake of thinking they can make a ticket go away by paying it. This certainly isn’t the case; by paying the fine, you’re pleading guilty to the offense — and accepting whatever consequences go with it. Before paying any traffic ticket you’ve been issued, you should consult with an experienced Atlanta traffic ticket attorney. It may be in your best interest to fight the ticket, especially if you already have points against your license.

For more information, call Atlanta Traffic Ticket Lawyer Kimbrel today for a consultation at (770) 349-9219.

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How Can I Fight a Failure to Yield Ticket?

If you’ve been ticketed for failure to yield, your first instinct may be to pay the ticket.

After all, it’s the fastest way to put the matter behind you and move forward with it. However, every ticket you get accumulates points against your driver’s license in Georgia and if you accumulate a certain number of points in a specific time period, your license may be suspended.

If you fight the ticket, you may be able to have it dismissed without paying any fees or getting points against your license. If you’ve gotten tickets before and this is the one that would “tip the bucket,” so to speak, it’s even more important to defend yourself. Here’s what you need to know about fighting a failure to yield ticket.

Common Defenses for Failure to Yield in Atlanta

Here are some common defenses for a failure to yield ticket:

  • Poor visibility. If there was dense fog or the sun was in your eyes and you could not see the vehicle or sign you were supposed to yield to, you may be able to use this as a defense. The conditions causing poor visibility typically must have been out of your control.
  • An emergency situation. If you were in an emergency situation, such as driving someone who was injured or having a baby to the hospital, and you didn’t yield, you may be able to have the ticket dismissed. While urgent situations may not qualify, true emergencies likely will.
  • You could not estimate the speed of the other vehicle. If for some reason you were unable to estimate the speed of the vehicle you were supposed to yield to and believed you had more time before the vehicle approached, you may be able to use this defense.
  • Video evidence shows you yielding. If you were in an area where security cameras were present, such as traffic cams or even cameras on the outside of businesses, you may be able to secure the footage to show that you did, in fact, yield.

When to Contact an Atlanta Traffic Ticket Lawyer

Don’t make the mistake of believing a traffic ticket is no big deal. If you pay the ticket, you are automatically pleading guilty and not contesting the points against your license.

Protect your driving privileges and avoid a costly fee by fighting failure to yield tickets. The Kimbrel Law Firm can help. Call us now for a consultation at (770) 349-9219.

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Atlanta Traffic Ticket Lawyer

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Suite 1000, Unit 32
Atlanta, GA 30326
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CLAYKIMBREL @ KIMBRELFIRM.COM

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