How to Fight a Speeding Ticket in Georgia

Many people who receive speeding tickets simply choose to pay the fine and move on. However, you do have the right to fight that ticket in court, and doing so could help you minimize or even eliminate the fine and the impact the citation has on your driving record.

Georgia courts have a track record of holding that a visual estimate by an officer that you were speeding is enough for conviction, even with a lack of other evidence. This makes it difficult to argue your case, especially when you consider that prosecutors will be more than happy to point this out during a hearing. Therefore, it’s typically a better idea to attempt to negotiate with the prosecutor rather than going to court.

Your options when fighting a speeding ticket

Georgia state law allows you to request a Zero Points violation once every five years. This order, provided by a judge, takes away any points that would go on your driving record, although the ticket will still be on your record. This means insurance companies and other courts will still know how fast you were going.

The other option is to negotiate for a reduction in speed. If you are successful with this endeavor, the reduced speed rather than the actual speed at which you were traveling will be transferred to your record.

For example, imagine you were going almost 90 miles an hour in a 55-mph zone, but you negotiate with the prosecutor to get it down to a 70 in a 55. This will take away from the fine you have to pay and other potential effects of your ticket. If you can get down to less than 15 mph above the speed limit, the ticket may not even appear on your driving record.

For further guidance on your legal options when you get a speeding ticket, work with a trusted Georgia traffic attorney at the Law Offices of Melvin S. Nash. Call the firm at 770.422.0878 or contact us online.