While some traffic violators may expect to face fines of a few hundred dollars, it seems unthinkable to face a million-dollar ticket. As crazy as it might sound, this is exactly what one Georgia resident experienced after he glanced at his speeding citation. The incident is now making international headlines – leaving officials scrambling to explain their reasoning for this sum. Excessive would be an understatement.
Why Did a Georgia Driver Get a Traffic Ticket Worth $1.4 Million?
In October of 2023, it was reported that a bewildered man in Georgia had received a traffic ticket for almost $1.5 million. He was utterly shocked and confused, and although he was expecting a hefty fine for being a “super speeder,” this sum surpassed his wildest dreams. So why did this individual get such a high fine? All eyes fell on the local authorities for answers, and they quickly came up with an explanation.
The amount, although high, was simply a “placeholder.” That being said, the authorities confirmed that the ticket was still technically valid. The man had a choice – he could either pay the fine or show up to court. Basically, what the authorities were saying was simple: They put the fine so high that no one in their right mind would actually pay it. This is due to the fact that when you face a “super speeder” ticket in Georgia, appearing in court is mandatory. In theory, a multi-billionaire might choose to pay the $1.4 million fine rather than show up in court. But even a billionaire would probably think twice about throwing away a seven-figure sum.
According to Georgia law, the actual fine cannot exceed $1,000 for super speeder tickets. It is not clear why the placeholder sum is even necessary, but one would assume that it is unlawful to force someone to go to court without giving them the option to pay a fine instead. The seven-figure ticket probably represents a strategy to get around this legal limitation. In reality, this clearly points to some kind of software issue or oversight associated with Georgia’s e-citation system. The court is apparently attempting to fix this issue and adjust its “placeholder policy” to avoid problems like this in the future.
This is only one example of how software can lead to errors, overcharges, and even cases of mistaken identity. If you are facing a traffic ticket in Georgia, it makes sense to double-check the details to make sure that you’re not dealing with a software issue. Some of these errors are less obvious than the aforementioned seven-figure traffic ticket, and they may be difficult to spot without help from a lawyer.
Where Can I Find a Qualified Traffic Ticket Attorney in Georgia?
The above incident is only one example of the confusion that may arise from a routine traffic ticket in Georgia. There are many other possibilities, and residents may encounter all kinds of issues and challenges as they seek to clarify their situations. Having an attorney at your side can not only make these issues easier to understand but also allow you to fight tickets and have them dismissed. Book your consultation with Lankford & Moore Law today to learn more.
