Motor Vehicle Hearing:
To preserve your right to drive in Georgia, you or our office
must request an administrative hearing within 10 business
days after your license has been taken from you by an officer.
This is for all drivers under 21 who registered a .02 or
more, all drivers over 21 who registered a .08 or more,
and all drivers of a commercial vehicle who register .04
or more.
ALL DRIVERS REGARDLESS OF AGE WHO
REFUSE THE STATE TEST. If you had a valid license
when stopped, you are qualified for a temporary license
to drive until the hearing. You will be mailed a notice
of the hearing about three weeks after your request. If
you lose at the hearing, you can not drive after the hearing.
In some cases you may qualify for a work permit and may
be able to reinstate the license within 30 days. Crucial
defenses can be developed at the hearing.
Arraignment:
This is the date on your ticket, about 30 to 60 days after
your arrest. In some cases you will not have to appear.
However, many courts will require your presence at arraignment.
If you have an attorney, he will advise you.
ALL MOTIONS TO EXCLUDE EVIDENCE MUST
BE FILED AT ARRAIGNMENT OR THEY ARE WAIVED.
Arraignment is an important hearing and the
attorney must be aware of all issues that are relevant in
order to get harmful evidence against you excluded.
Pre-trial Conference/Plea Negotiations:
Your attorney will discuss your case with the prosecutor
and attempt to work out the best disposition possible. This
is an on going process. Many cases do not get resolved until
the eve of trial.
Suppression Hearing:
The Court may suppress some or all of the evidence against
you if your constitutional rights have been violated. Your
attorney will file motions to suppress. In some courts there
will be a separate hearing date. In other courts, motions
will be heard right before trial.
Trial:
In Georgia we have the right to a jury trial. This is held
before six people who will determine innocence or guilt.
In some cases, we will opt for a bench trial where a judge
will decide innocence or guilt.
Sentencing:
The Court imposes a sentence after a conviction at trial
or after a plea bargain is accepted and a plea entered.
Sentences may include jail time, in home detention, public
service, alcohol classes and fines.