Serious Traffic Offense Attorney in Atlanta, Georgia

Serious traffic offenses are the worst traffic offenses you can commit while behind the wheel. You should have an attorney representing you who can advocate for you, raise any possible defenses, and try to minimize the negative impact on your driver's license and your life. These offenses include driving recklessly or impaired, or seriously injuring or killing someone while driving recklessly or impaired. They also include fleeing or attempting to elude a police officer in a vehicle, or driving aggressively.

Reckless driving results in 4 points on your driver's license, and Aggressive Driving results in 6 points. The other offenses all suspend your driver's license for some period of time, and that time depends on if you have any prior convictions. A limited driving permit is usually available for a first misdemeanor conviction in a five-year period, except for DUI and drugs convictions.

In Georgia, the following are considered serious traffic offenses:

Reckless Driving

If it appears as though you have no regard for the safety of the people or property around you while driving, you could be charged with reckless driving. This conviction can is punishable by a fine of up to $1,000 and prison time of up to one year.

Aggressive Driving

In Georgia, aggressive driving is defined as deliberately trying to irritate, harass, enrage, frighten, or harm someone while driving. Being convicted of this offense will result in a “misdemeanor of a high and aggravated nature,” per state law.

DUIS

A DUI conviction can result in jail time, a suspension of your driver's license, substantial fines, required community service, attendance of a Risk Reduction ("DUI School") program, and an evaluation and treatment for alcohol/drug abuse.

Furthermore, your license can be suspended right after arrest if you refuse to submit to the state-administered breath, blood, or urine test or your test results are 0.08 or higher. You only have 10 days to request a hearing to challenge this suspension, so you need to hire an attorney right away.

Vehicular Homicide & Feticide

When it comes to vehicular homicide, things are rarely black and white. When determining the appropriate punishment for this crime, the court takes the following factors into consideration, among others:

• Whether the homicide was deliberate or accidental

• Whether the driver fled the scene of the crime

• Any previous traffic offenses the driver has committed

• Whether the driver’s license is under suspension or invalid

• Whether the victim was a pregnant woman (if the fetus does not survive, the driver may be charged with feticide)

If you have been involved in an accident that has caused the death of another person, do not wait to get an experienced traffic attorney. The sooner your legal representation can get to the truth of what happened, the better your chances of getting a favorable verdict.

Serious Injury by Vehicle

In Georgia, serious injury by vehicle is classified as a felony. A conviction can result in anywhere from 1-15 years in prison.

Fleeing or Attempting to Elude a Police Officer

Even if you are driving with a suspended or invalid driver’s license, it is crucial that you pull over when signaled by a police officer. Trying to flee or elude the officer can only result in more serious charges, including up to five years in prison and a fine of $5,000.

Impersonating a State Trooper or Other Law Enforcement Officer

You can be convicted of impersonating a law enforcement officer simply by making your vehicle appear similar to that of a vehicle used by federal, state, or local law enforcement. The offense only becomes more serious if you appear to be using the disguise in order to control traffic.

Other Traffic Offenses

Charges such as speeding, racing, and driving without a license can result in serious consequences. On top of substantial fines and points added to your driver's license, charges of this nature can affect your insurance rates, as well:

• Driving While Your License Is Suspended

• Driving Without a License

• Racing

• Speeding

• Hit & Run

Put an Experienced Traffic Attorney on Your Side

Attorney Kyle Jarzmik provides service in serious traffic offenses throughout the Atlanta, Georgia area. Contact him to inquire about his legal services.