How to Dispute a Traffic Ticket in Georgia

When you get a traffic ticket, you may feel like paying the fine is your only option. However, in many cases, you have the right to dispute the ticket and present your side of the story to a judge. If you believe you were wrongfully ticketed, or if there are extenuating circumstances that should be considered, disputing the ticket may be worth your time and effort.

Disputing a traffic ticket in the State of Georgia is a complicated process. There are a lot of rules and regulations you have to be aware of in order to dispute your traffic ticket successfully. This article will focus on the steps involved in disputing your traffic ticket. However, as you will soon discover, DoNotPay can help you dispute your Georgia traffic ticket faster and easier than if you were to do it yourself.

Types of Traffic Tickets You Can Get in Georgia

The list of traffic offenses in the State of Georgia is very extensive. Here are the most common moving violations that are issued along with the points they will add to your driving record:

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How to Pay Your Traffic Ticket in Georgia

The State of Georgia allows you to pay your traffic ticket in four different ways. The ticket will usually have the county and court information, as well as for instructions on how to send payment. To pay your traffic fine, you will need your citation number, court case number, or driver's license number.

1. Pay online Use the website of the court or county where you were ticketed. If they do not have one, you can use the Judicial Council of Georgia's centralized database to search traffic citations.

2. Pay by phone You may call the court to arrange payment by phone. Make sure to request and keep a proof of payment.

3. Pay by mail Use the address of the county or court given on the ticket to mail your payment.

4. Pay in person Visit the courthouse during operating hours to pay for the ticket.

After payment is received, the court will forward the notice of the conviction to the Georgia Department of Driver Services. Points associated with the ticket will be applied to your driving record and the case closed.

Note that some traffic violations may require a court appearance and can't be paid in advance. See your ticket for more information.

How to Dispute a Georgia Traffic Ticket on Your Own

If you still feel you were wrongly cited for a traffic offense, you can dispute the ticket in court as follows:

1. Locate your court appearance date on your ticket under Section IV: Summons.
2. On the day of your appearance, arrive early and go to your assigned courtroom.
3. When your name is called, enter your plea of not guilty.
4. The court may schedule a trial to hear your case.

Do You Need a Lawyer to Dispute a Traffic Ticket in Georgia?

While you are not required to have a lawyer to dispute a traffic ticket in Georgia, having representation can give you a significant advantage in court. A lawyer can help you navigate the often complicated process, ensure that your rights are protected, and give you the best chance of success in contesting your ticket.

If you are considering hiring a lawyer to challenge your traffic ticket, you should speak with an experienced attorney as soon as possible. Consider meeting with a lawyer who has experience handling similar cases and getting recommendations from referrals or friends.

What Are Reasons to Dispute a Traffic Ticket in Georgia?

The following are valid reasons why you would want to dispute your traffic ticket.

• You believe the officer incorrectly clocked the speed of your vehicle.
• You believe you were wrongly cited for not stopping due to a malfunctioning traffic light or a hard to see a stop sign.
• You had a medical emergency that caused you to violate a traffic law and should not be cited for the infraction.
• There is a technicality or flow in the officer's report or in the way the ticket was handled that could lead to a dismissal of the charges.
• The officer may have failed to properly inform you of your rights before issuing the ticket.
• You may have already paid the fine for the violation in another state or had the infraction dismissed through a defensive driving course or other means, and should not be required to pay again.

What Happens if You Are Found Guilty?

If you are found guilty, you must pay the fine as originally noted on the ticket. If there were any additional court costs, you are responsible for those as well. The court will forward the notice of the conviction to the Georgia Department of Driver Services where points will be applied to your record.

How DoNotPay Can Help You Dispute a Traffic Ticket

DoNotPay has successfully handled more than 200,000 tickets, in places such as New York City and Las Vegas, as well as Los Angeles and other cities in California.

Here's how to get started:

1. Log in to DoNotPay and go to the Ticket Disputes category. Select the correct product based on your traffic ticket.

2. Upload a photo of your citation.

3. Provide us with some details on why you believe the citation issued is a mistake.

4. Select whether or not you want the letter mailed to the traffic ticket issuer on your behalf!
5. That’s it! You’ll receive an appeal letter that contains state vehicle codes to boost your case.

It's really that simple. Look out for your traffic ticket issuer's response to discover whether you won.

What Else Can DoNotPay Do?

In addition to helping you fight your Georgia traffic ticket, DoNotPay can help you with the following:

• Recover missing money
• Report city repairs
• Get airline flight compensation
• Handle car lease negotiations
• Dispute seatbelt tickets
• File a complaint
• Get assistance with bills
• Schedule an appointment with the DMV

With hundreds of thousands of cases solved, it's clear to see DoNotPay levels the playing field for everyone. They cut through bureaucratic red tape to save you time and money to solve many of life's everyday annoyances.