Another Day, Another Dismissal (and Another Happy Client)

Another Day, Another Dismissal (and Another Happy Client)

Not a bad start to the week.

This particular case was a traffic case that was bound over (transferred) from municipal court to Fulton County State Court. There were two charges: Failure to Maintain Lane and Failure to Obey Traffic Control Device. We requested a jury trial. That may seem excessive on a traffic matter, but the ultimate result was that the State, when faced with the prospect of a jury trial on a flawed case, folded.

Many lawyers just instruct their clients to plead out traffic cases at the earliest possible opportunity, and in some cases that makes sense. However, sometimes it’s worth it to stand your ground and hold the State to its burden of proving you guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. They have that burden even in traffic matters. And traffic matters can still have serious consequences – they are misdemeanor offenses, so they can legally carry a penalty of up to one year in jail or on probation, and a fine of up to $1,000. They can also result in a suspended license and increased insurance rates (these are called “collateral consequences”).

All of this can add up to a massive amount of money and a huge headache. That’s why it’s smart to make sure you hire the right lawyer who can give you the best advice, and who will fight for you if that’s the wisest choice for your case.