Texting and driving is a common offense in Georgia, and you might feel frustrated if you are facing a traffic ticket of this nature. But do you really have to accept the consequences? What if you believe there was some kind of mistake? What if your new distracted driving ticket has caused you to accumulate too many points on your license? These are all questions you can raise with a Georgia traffic ticket lawyer.
You Have the Right to Contest any Traffic Ticket
Georgia gives you the right to contest or challenge virtually any traffic ticket, including tickets for texting and driving. The real question is whether it’s worth the effort. The majority of distracted driving tickets are based on in-person observations by police officers. For example, a police vehicle might have pulled up alongside you without you realizing it. If an officer glanced over and saw you texting, they can testify against you during a hearing and confirm that you were texting and driving.
Faced with your word against the testimony of a police officer, the Department of Driver Services (DDS) court in Georgia would likely rule against you. That said, not all texting and driving tickets are based on eyewitness observations. Often, drivers face texting and driving tickets after investigations into crashes. These tickets often accompany other charges, such as drunk driving. In this situation, investigators may analyze cell phone data, traffic camera footage, and other evidence to confirm whether you were texting before the incident. In this situation, you may be able to challenge the validity of evidence.
For example, the police officer might have obtained your phone and searched through your texting history without your permission. This is likely a constitutional violation, and the ticket should therefore be dismissed.
You Can Avoid a Traffic Ticket if This Is Your First Distracted Driving Offense
If this is your first distracted driving ticket, you may be able to avoid penalties by simply showing the court that you have acquired hands-free technology for calls in the future. This is a relatively easy defense strategy that many drivers take full advantage of.
What if My Distracted Driving Ticket Put Too Many Points on My License?
If your distracted driving ticket has caused you to accumulate too many points on your license, you might risk losing your driving privileges. If this is the case, you might want to speak with a traffic ticket lawyer before you admit to the offense or “plead guilty.” Drivers have the right to challenge their tickets in DDS court, and this might make considerable sense to do this if you face losing your driving privileges.
Can a Georgia Traffic Ticket Lawyer Help Me?
If you are facing a distracted driving ticket and you would like to explore your legal options, consider speaking with an experienced traffic ticket lawyer in Georgia. These legal professionals can help you review your legal options. From there, you can decide whether you’d like to fight the ticket, request a hearing, or opt for some other course of action. Contact Lankford & Moore Law today to learn more.
