Savannah Traffic Defense Attorney

We Handle the Full Range of Traffic Offenses in Savannah, GA

Jarrett Maillet J.D., P.C. is a boutique defense firm that represents motorists in Chatham County who are facing all types of traffic violations. With an office located right here in Savannah, we provide proactive, solutions-forward advocacy that is focused on protecting your rights and saving your driver’s license. Along with other cases, our Savannah traffic violation lawyer has experience with: 

• Speeding, including Super Speeder Violations: Speeding is the most common traffic offense in Georgia. Notably, speeding tickets can escalate quickly. Certain speeds trigger Super Speeder designation. That can lead to far more serious consequences. 
• Reckless Driving: Reckless driving is a criminal misdemeanor, not a simple traffic citation. Notably, the statute focuses on disregard for the safety of persons or property. A conviction for reckless driving in Georgia can carry jail time and a license suspension. 
• Driving With a Suspended/Revoked License: Driving while suspended or revoked is charged as a misdemeanor and can result in mandatory jail time for repeat offenses. These cases often arise from unresolved tickets or administrative suspensions. 
• Failure to Appear/Failure to Comply: Missed court dates or unpaid fines can lead to bench warrants and license suspension. These cases frequently compound otherwise manageable citations. Facing this charge? Contact our Savannah traffic defense lawyer right away. 
• Hit and Run/Leaving the Scene: Leaving the scene of an accident can result in misdemeanor or felony charges, depending on injury or damage. These cases carry severe consequences, potentially including jail time. 

Why Trust Savannah Traffic Defense Lawyer Jarrett Maillet

Facing a traffic charge in Savannah? You may have a lot of questions about what comes next. You do not have to navigate the process alone. Our founder, Jarrett Maillet, has extensive experience handling traffic violations in Chatham County. We put clients first. Among other things, our Savannah, GA traffic defense lawyer is here to: 

• Conduct a comprehensive, confidential evaluation of your case
• Answer your questions and explain your rights/options
• Gather the evidence that you need to build your defense
• Take action to protect your rights, your license, and, if needed, your freedom 

Traffic Charges in Savannah: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Are all traffic violations considered crimes in Georgia?

Unlike the majority of states across the country that treat standard traffic tickets as minor civil infractions, Georgia law uniquely classifies almost all moving traffic violations as criminal misdemeanors. This means that receiving a citation for a common offense such as speeding, failure to yield, or running a red light in Savannah technically means you have been charged with a misdemeanor crime. While jail sentences are rare for minor citations, a conviction can still legally carry a maximum penalty of twelve months in jail and a fine of up to one thousand dollars.

How do points work on a Georgia driver’s license?

The Georgia Department of Driver Services utilizes a point system to monitor moving traffic violations and identify problem drivers on the road. When a driver is convicted of an offense in a local venue like the Savannah Recorder’s Court, a specific number of points ranging from two to six is added to their driving record. If a motorist accumulates fifteen or more points within any rolling twenty-four-month period, their driver’s license will face an automatic administrative suspension. Examples of point values include two points for minor speeding and six points for aggressive driving.

What is a Super Speeder violation?

Georgia’s Super Speeder law targets drivers traveling at exceptionally high speeds on state roadways and interstates. A driver receives a Super Speeder designation if they are convicted of driving at seventy-five miles per hour or faster on any two-lane road, or eighty-five miles per hour or faster on any highway. In addition to the local fines and court fees imposed by the jurisdiction in Chatham County, the state levies a separate two-hundred-dollar Super Speeder fee. Failure to pay this fee within ninety days results in an automatic license suspension.

Is driving with a suspended license always a criminal offense in Savannah?

Yes, operating a motor vehicle while your driver’s license is suspended or revoked is always prosecuted as a criminal offense in Georgia under state code section 40-5-121. In Savannah, a first conviction for this offense is classified as a serious misdemeanor that carries a mandatory minimum of two days in the local jail, a fine between five hundred and one thousand dollars, and an automatic six-month extension of your license suspension. Subsequent offenses within a five-year window elevate the charge to a high and aggravated misdemeanor.

Can a driver under the age of twenty-one lose their license for a single traffic ticket in Georgia?

Yes, drivers under the age of twenty-one face significantly stricter driver’s license regulations in Georgia than older motorists. Under state law, the Department of Driver Services will automatically suspend the driver’s license of any under-twenty-one motorist who is convicted of any single traffic offense that carries four or more points. This includes common violations such as reckless driving, racing, hit and run, improper passing, or speeding at twenty-four miles per hour or more over the posted speed limit. The suspension period lasts for six months for a first offense.

What is a nolo contendere plea, and can it protect your driving record in Savannah?

A plea of nolo contendere, which translates to no contest, means that you accept the punishment for a traffic violation without explicitly admitting guilt. In Georgia, entering a nolo contendere plea can sometimes prevent points from being assessed against your driver’s license or stop an automatic license suspension, provided the judge accepts the plea. However, state law strictly limits the use of this option, allowing drivers to utilize a nolo plea for a traffic offense only once every five years. Furthermore, a no-contest plea is still reported to the state.

Contact Our Savannah Traffic Violations Defense Lawyer Today

At Jarrett Maillet J.D., P.C., our Savannah, GA traffic offense defense attorney puts motorists first. If you have any questions about your rights or your options, we are here to help. Contact us today for a completely confidential, no obligation initial consultation at 912-713-3426. We defend traffic charges in Savannah, Chatham County, and throughout the entire surrounding region.