When most people receive a traffic ticket, their first instinct is to pay the fine and move on. After all, it’s just a few hundred bucks, right? It might feel like the easiest way to deal with the inconvenience and avoid the hassle of court. But here’s the truth: paying that ticket is the same as pleading guilty, and the real cost often appears long after the fine is paid.
With over twenty-five years of experience, we’ve seen this scenario many times: drivers underestimate the long-term consequences of a seemingly minor traffic violation. Whether it’s a speeding ticket, failure to yield, or a stop sign violation, the financial hit can compound quickly, especially when your insurance premiums increase or you accumulate points on your license.
So, should you hire a lawyer for traffic court even if the fine doesn’t seem that big? In most cases, yes. Let’s talk about why.
The Hidden Cost of Traffic Tickets: Your Insurance Premium
Most people focus on the immediate cost of a traffic ticket, maybe $150 but possibly as much as $1,000. What they don’t see is how that violation follows them for years through their insurance policy. Insurance companies base your rates on risk. One ticket might not seem like a big deal, but it can raise your premium by 20-30% or more. That adds up to hundreds, sometimes thousands, of dollars over a 3- to 5-year period. And if you already have another ticket or a prior accident on your record? That bump just got steeper, potentially leading to even higher premiums and financial strain.
License Points and the Risk of Suspension
Georgia uses a point system to track driving violations. Every ticket carries a point value, and those points accumulate on your record.
- Speeding 15-18 mph over the limit: 2 points
- Speeding 19-23 mph over: 3 points
- Failure to obey a traffic control device: 3 points
- Reckless driving: 4 points
Your license can be suspended once you reach 15 points within a 24-month.
The consequences are even more severe for new drivers and drivers under 21. A single four-point violation, like reckless driving or speeding more than 24 mph over the limit, can trigger a suspension. One bad decision can cost a teenager their license for six months or more.
What Can a Traffic Attorney Actually Do?
You might be wondering: What exactly does a lawyer do in traffic court that you couldn’t do yourself?
Here’s how we can help:
- Negotiate reduced charges or penalties. Sometimes, a violation can be downgraded to a non-moving violation, which carries no points and has less impact on your insurance.
- Keep points off your license. This protects your driving record and reduces the risk of license suspension.
- Avoid court altogether. We can often appear on your behalf, saving you time off work and a day in court.
- Help you qualify for reduced charges with a defensive driving course. Completing one of these can help reduce points and even dismiss some tickets.
- Prevent a ticket from affecting commercial licenses. If you hold a CDL, even a minor ticket can jeopardize your job.
When to Call Us
The relief and peace of mind that comes with professional legal representation is invaluable. If you’ve received a traffic ticket in Cherokee County or the surrounding North Metro Atlanta area, don’t rush to pay it without understanding the consequences. Instead, empower yourself with the knowledge of your legal options.
At Debranski & Associates, we offer straightforward legal advice, clear communication, and aggressive representation in court when necessary. Our goal is to resolve your traffic matter efficiently, with minimal disruption to your life and with your record, license, and insurance intact.
If you have questions about a traffic citation, give our office a call. We’re here to provide the support and guidance you need to navigate this process confidently.