New technology brings new legal processes, and this is certainly the case with traffic laws in Georgia. Since the arrival of the internet, it has become incredibly easy to pay traffic fines online – often with a few clicks of your mouse or trackpad. However, technology may not always improve outcomes for average Georgia citizens, even if it streamlines the flow of money into the government’s coffers. One Georgia judge recently criticized the Traffic Violation Bureau Act, arguing that it does not properly inform people of their rights.
Judge Wants Traffic Laws Modernized in Georgia
In December of 2024, it was reported that a municipal judge in Atlanta had voiced his frustration at the Traffic Violation Bureau Act. He argued that although people can now pay for their traffic tickets online, the underlying system is almost 60 years old and in desperate need of modernization.
The crux of his argument involves Miranda Rights and the United States Constitution. According to this judge, current Georgia traffic law does not require the state to inform people of their rights before they pay for their tickets. Because of this lack of information, many motorists pay their tickets online without realizing the true consequences.
The judge explained:
“By clicking a mouse to pay a ticket online, [drivers] are admitting guilt, will incur ‘points’ on their driving records and possibly lose their driver’s licenses and jobs.”
The judge also pointed out that the Traffic Violation Bureau Act predates the 1966 Miranda v. Arizona Supreme Court case. As a result, it fails to take into account the federal requirement for Miranda warnings in all criminal cases. Although a traffic ticket might seem like a utility bill or a phone payment, it actually represents a criminal misdemeanor charge in many cases.
Will Paying My Ticket Online Really Cause Me to Lose My License or Job?
Yes, paying your ticket online can cause you to lose your license or your job. After clicking the option to pay online, you may receive demerit points on your driver’s license. If this pushes you over the maximum point limit for a two-year period, your license may be suspended. If you rely on your vehicle for work, this could cause you to lose your job.
Some traffic tickets represent more serious offenses than others. If the misdemeanor charge is serious enough to go on your permanent record, it could cause all kinds of issues going forward. Your employer (and future employers) may run a criminal record check and discover these charges, and this could also affect your ability to earn income.
Can a Georgia Traffic Law Attorney Help Me Fight My Ticket?
Even though it might seem easy to pay a traffic ticket online, you might want to speak with a traffic law attorney in Georgia before making your final decision. As court officials in the Peach State have pointed out, a single click of your mouse could potentially cause you to lose your license, job, or freedom. To approach your traffic tickets in a more effective manner, consider contacting Lankford & Moore Law today.
