Ticket for "No left turn between 3PM and 6PM"

[quickdodge®]

This is a legit ticket and this law has been around for years, man. It is for traffic control. IIRC, you also can't make turns between 6am-9am. This is keep the flow of traffic on Peachtree St. moving. Also when the traffic is heavy on Peachtree and some numbnut tries to make a left at the last second and gets caught in the middle of the intersection because Peachtree is so backed up, it causes more back ups because there is a car blocking both sides. There are many streets in downtown that have that ordinance.

This should be a 3 point citation.

BUT! You may be ok. In August, I got a ticket in Dekalb County for disobeying traffic control device. I waited and went to court. The judge said that if you could pay the fine in its entirety THAT DAY, then he would reduce it to a city misdemeanor and the ticket would not appear on my MVR. So I did. Now there is NO record of me ever getting that ticket. That fine was $350.

Later, QD.

To add, and I'm not doing this to scare you, but a Class 2 Misdemeanor is an offense that can result in a punishment of up 6 months in jail and/or a $1,000 fine. Since you already know your fine is $198, then you have no worries on the jail part.

I would strongly advise that you wait til your court date and go down there as you may just save your points total from going up. And the chance that it won't even appear on your MVR. Later, QD.

[PRO®]

To add, and I'm not doing this to scare you, but a Class 2 Misdemeanor is an offense that can result in a punishment of up 6 months in jail and/or a $1,000 fine. Since you already know your fine is $198, then you have no worries on the jail part.

I would strongly advise that you wait til your court date and go down there as you may just save your points total from going up. And the chance that it won't even appear on your MVR. Later, QD.

I think I'll do that. Never been to traffic court before. So how does that work? What am I actually "disputing"? Am I just basically explaining that I don't live in Atlanta, and unknowingly made a wrong turn, and hope that he says he will reduce it, etc?

[quickdodge®]

I think I'll do that. Never been to traffic court before. So how does that work? What am I actually "disputing"? Am I just basically explaining that I don't live in Atlanta, and unknowingly made a wrong turn, and hope that he says he will reduce it, etc?

Well you can stand up and explain the scenario to the solicitor or the judge, but he/she may not buy it. If he/she sees that you're local, they may not buy that you've never been to Atlanta. But you can always state your case. Won't hurt to try. Just tell him/her what happened.

As far as the fine, I doubt it will be reduced. I got word a few weeks ago that courts have quit reducing fines quite a bit due to the economy. But as I stated in my initial post, he may drop the ticket to a city ordinance and it will be left off your record. But that's totally up to his discretion and if you can pay the whole fine ($198) right then. This is how I believe it will go. Later, QD.

[PRO®]

Well you can stand up and explain the scenario to the solicitor or the judge, but he/she may not buy it. If he/she sees that you're local, they may not buy that you've never been to Atlanta. But you can always state your case. Won't hurt to try. Just tell him/her what happened.

As far as the fine, I doubt it will be reduced. I got word a few weeks ago that courts have quit reducing fines quite a bit due to the economy. But as I stated in my initial post, he may drop the ticket to a city ordinance and it will be left off your record. But that's totally up to his discretion and if you can pay the whole fine ($198) right then. This is how I believe it will go. Later, QD.

Sounds good to me. I'll explain the scenario, acknowledge that I disobeyed a law, and because it was unknowingly done, ask if it at the very least he/she'd drop it off my record.

Alright, thanks again.