 Do I really need a lawyer for speeding in atlanta?
Q: I got pulled for doing 72 mph in a 55 mph zone. I know I was given a ticket for going really fast, but it's still just a speeding ticket. Do I really need a lawyer to handle this?
A. I am frequently asked if I can help someone with a speeding ticket for driving 15+ mph above the speed limit. Most of the time, I turn down such requests unless there are special circumstances. Instead, I encourage people how to handle the ticket themselves and save themselves hundreds of dollars in attorney fees and a great deal of time. This is what suggest:
1. Go to court yourself at the appointed day and time
2. When your case is called, you have a choice to either say "not guilty" or "I want to talk to the prosecutor."
3. Speak calmly to the prosecutor and explain your position.
The prosecutor does not want a trial on another day any more than you do. Ask him or her to drop the speed to below 14 miles over the limit so the clerk of the court isn't required to report the ticket to the Department of Driver Services. This way, no one will know about the ticket except for you and the officer. If the prosecutor doesn't initially agree to your request, explain your circumstances in more detail. If the prosecutor still won't budge, tell the prosecutor that you'd like to come back for trial-- at which point you'd probably need to hire a lawyer. Please note, even if the speed is reduced, the court still wants its money, so expect the fine to remain the same.
You can also hire an attorney and go to trial. A good attorney still may not win; an officer is allowed to make an "eyeball estimate" that you were driving above the speed limit, and then the judge can find you guilty of speeding. Of course, you can't win if you don't fight. A good attorney is an expensive proposition: $500 - $1,000 depending on the number of court appearances. You may not have to attend court the first time if you hire an attorney first; you'd only need to show up for trial.
Related articles:
How much exactly will a super speeder ticket cost?
The more you speed, the more you pay
How to handle a Georiga speeding ticket yourself
Should I represent myself for a high speed ticket?
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