Georgia Non Moving Violations
Just about all of us have gotten some kind of traffic ticket during the time since we've had a driver's license. When it comes to traffic violations, they are categorized as either moving violations or non-moving violations. This generally refers to whether or not the violation had to do with how the driver was operating the car.
“Moving violations” include things like texting while driving, running a red light, or unlawfully passing a school bus. This may result in getting a ticket for the offense, and you may have to go to court, depending on the severity of the violation. All these moving violations will result in points on your driver's license. If you get 15 or more points over a 24 month period, you may have you driver's license suspended.
“Non-moving violations,” on the other hand, are violations that may have to do with the car itself, or where and when it is parked. This includes things like expired tags, parking without putting money in the meter, or have window tinting violation. Non-moving violations are generally considered less serious than a moving violation. Most of the time, a non-moving violation will end with the police writing a ticket and giving it to you if you're in the car, or putting it under the wiper blades when the car is unattended.
Non-Moving Violations Leading to a DUI
Non-moving violations and moving violations can, and often do, come together during the same traffic stop. A law enforcement officer may stop someone for one violation, and during the course of their routine questioning during the traffic stop, find other violations. This can often mean that a minor violation like an expired registration sticker can end up with something much more severe, such as driving under the influence.
In many cases, especially late at night after about 2 a.m. when bars are closing down, police are out looking for possibly impaired drivers. They may be looking for any sign to turn on their lights and siren. If a driver forgot to turn their lights on when leaving a brightly lit parking lot, the police will likely pull them over.
Police need a reason to pull a car over. They need to observe some evidence of a violation, or something more than just a hunch that give them reasonable suspicion to stop the driver. If the police can't articulate anything that gave them reasonable suspicion of wrongdoing, they are not supposed to stop a driver. In some cases, this can work in favor of the driver. If there was no reasonable suspicion basis for the traffic stop, there is the possibility the evidence could be thrown out.
Atlanta Criminal Court DUI Lawyer
If you were pulled over for some reason, then arrested for driving under the influence in Atlanta, please contact an experienced, local Atlanta DUI lawyer. The penalties for a DUI conviction in Georgia are severe. You need to understand all the consequences before you decide whether to show up to court on your own, or with a lawyer by your side. As an experienced Atlanta DUI lawyer, I will make sure you don't have to go through all of this on your own. Call me today, so I can fight the criminal charges against you, to make sure you are treated fairly by the courts.