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.