# North Georgia Speeding Ticket (Possible Reckless Driving) Question **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [October 5, 2011, 1:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/north-georgia-speeding-ticket-possible-reckless-driving-question/598677 "2011-10-05T13:07:23Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 16\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Ephemera](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8baadc/32.png) [@Ephemera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ephemera)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2011, 1:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/north-georgia-speeding-ticket-possible-reckless-driving-question/598677/1 "2011-10-05T13:07:23Z")
I have a friend that was recently pulled over by the state patrol for doing 91 MPH in a 65 MPH on I-75 in Catoosa County in North Georgia. He still has a couple days until he can call the courthouse to find out if he can just pay the ticket, or if he will have to show up for court in December, and he is trying to find out what he’s looking at fine-wise. I had a similar ticket and was sentenced to 14 days in jail in addition to a $500.00 fine, but this was four years ago, and in a non-adjoining state. I don’t have any experience with North Georgia. Does anyone have any experience in this region, and can tell me what my friend is looking at? ---
**Author:** ![robert\_columbia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e79b87/32.png) [@robert\_columbia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/robert_columbia)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2011, 1:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/north-georgia-speeding-ticket-possible-reckless-driving-question/598677/2 "2011-10-05T13:59:58Z")
> [@Ephemera](#): > > I have a friend that was recently pulled over by the state patrol for doing 91 MPH in a 65 MPH on I-75 in Catoosa County in North Georgia. He still has a couple days until he can call the courthouse to find out if he can just pay the ticket, or if he will have to show up for court in December, and he is trying to find out what he’s looking at fine-wise. I had a similar ticket and was sentenced to 14 days in jail in addition to a $500.00 fine, but this was four years ago, and in a non-adjoining state. I don’t have any experience with North Georgia. > > Does anyone have any experience in this region, and can tell me what my friend is looking at? North Georgia? Was this near South Tennessee, or was it closer to East Alabama? I’m afraid that I’m not finding anything on State of North Georgia traffic law. Are you sure it was in North Georgia? ---
**Author:** ![Ephemera](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8baadc/32.png) [@Ephemera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ephemera)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2011, 2:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/north-georgia-speeding-ticket-possible-reckless-driving-question/598677/3 "2011-10-05T14:10:53Z")
Do you not know how to use [Google](http://www.google.com/#sclient=psy-ab&hl=en&source=hp&q=%22north+georgia%22&pbx=1&oq=%22north+georgia%22&aq=f&aqi=g4&aql=1&gs_sm=e&gs_upl=1063l8219l0l9641l18l6l0l0l0l0l1281l3624l0.1.1.5-1.0.2l6l0&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.,cf.osb&fp=569ce67a91048ad5&biw=892&bih=439&safe=active) or [Wikipedia](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/North_Georgia)? Don’t quit your day job. ---
**Author:** ![Enright3](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/enright3/32/2897_2.png) [@Enright3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Enright3)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2011, 2:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/north-georgia-speeding-ticket-possible-reckless-driving-question/598677/4 "2011-10-05T14:38:08Z")
NM ---
**Author:** ![CookingWithGas](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cookingwithgas/32/485_2.png) [@CookingWithGas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CookingWithGas)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2011, 3:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/north-georgia-speeding-ticket-possible-reckless-driving-question/598677/5 "2011-10-05T15:43:13Z")
> [@Ephemera](#): > > …He still has a couple days until he can call the courthouse … What? Why can’t he just call the courthouse, you know, now? > [@robert\_columbia](#): > > North Georgia? Clever. > [@Ephemera](#): > > Do you not know how to use [Google](http://www.google.com/#sclient=psy-ab&hl=en&source=hp&q=%22north+georgia%22&pbx=1&oq=%22north+georgia%22&aq=f&aqi=g4&aql=1&gs_sm=e&gs_upl=1063l8219l0l9641l18l6l0l0l0l0l1281l3624l0.1.1.5-1.0.2l6l0&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.,cf.osb&fp=569ce67a91048ad5&biw=892&bih=439&safe=active) or [Wikipedia](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/North_Georgia)? Ah, so much cleverness in one place. **Ephemera** , you may want to put those skills to practice. [Google is valuable for other things besides geography](http://www.google.com/search?hl=&q=georgia+speeding+ticket+fines&sourceid=navclient-ff&rlz=1B3GGLL_enUS415US415&ie=UTF-8&aq=1&oq=georgia+speeding). Georgia’s site says that fines are set by the locality even if the ticket was issued by the state police. One site says that the base fine for speeding 24-34 over is $400 for a first offense. You do not say whether this was a first offense. If the ticket is for something other than speeding (sometimes excessive speed can result in a reckless driving charge), this will not apply. Generally you can mail in the fine as a de facto guilty plea for a civil citation. Doesn’t his ticket have an explanation of all this? I’ve never gotten one in Georgia but that’s been my experience in Maryland, Michigan, and Virginia. BTW for your own ticket, I am surprised to hear about jail time in a speeding case if there were no other charges. What state was that, what was the posted limit, what was the ticket written for? ---
**Author:** ![TheChileanBlob](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thechileanblob/32/435_2.png) [@TheChileanBlob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TheChileanBlob)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2011, 12:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/north-georgia-speeding-ticket-possible-reckless-driving-question/598677/6 "2011-10-06T00:13:56Z")
Georgia has a [Superspeeder](http://www.safespeedsgeorgia.org/) fine of an extra $200 for anything above 85 mph. They bill you separately. ---
**Author:** ![Lord\_Feldon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lord_feldon/32/341_2.png) [@Lord\_Feldon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lord_Feldon)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2011, 12:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/north-georgia-speeding-ticket-possible-reckless-driving-question/598677/7 "2011-10-06T00:15:29Z")
> [@CookingWithGas](#): > > What? Why can’t he just call the courthouse, you know, now? The court might not have the ticket yet. ---
**Author:** ![Ike\_Witt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ike_witt/32/283_2.png) [@Ike\_Witt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ike_Witt)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2011, 1:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/north-georgia-speeding-ticket-possible-reckless-driving-question/598677/8 "2011-10-06T01:04:45Z")
> [@Ephemera](#): > > Do you not know how to use [Google](http://www.google.com/#sclient=psy-ab&hl=en&source=hp&q=%22north+georgia%22&pbx=1&oq=%22north+georgia%22&aq=f&aqi=g4&aql=1&gs_sm=e&gs_upl=1063l8219l0l9641l18l6l0l0l0l0l1281l3624l0.1.1.5-1.0.2l6l0&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.,cf.osb&fp=569ce67a91048ad5&biw=892&bih=439&safe=active) or [Wikipedia](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/North_Georgia)? > > Don’t quit your day job. Wow, being a dick is such a good way to motivate people to help you out. ---
**Author:** ![Colibri](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/colibri/32/1841_2.png) [@Colibri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colibri)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2011, 1:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/north-georgia-speeding-ticket-possible-reckless-driving-question/598677/9 "2011-10-06T01:34:00Z")
> [@Ike\_Witt](#): > > Wow, being a dick is such a good way to motivate people to help you out. [Moderator Note] **Ike Witt,** insults are not permitted in GQ. However, since you have already contacted us to acknowledge this remark was out of line I am making this a note rather than a formal warning. [QUOTE=robert\_columbia] North Georgia? Was this near South Tennessee, or was it closer to East Alabama? I’m afraid that I’m not finding anything on State of North Georgia traffic law. Are you sure it was in North Georgia? [/QUOTE] > [@Ephemera](#): > > Do you not know how to use [Google](http://www.google.com/#sclient=psy-ab&hl=en&source=hp&q=%22north+georgia%22&pbx=1&oq=%22north+georgia%22&aq=f&aqi=g4&aql=1&gs_sm=e&gs_upl=1063l8219l0l9641l18l6l0l0l0l0l1281l3624l0.1.1.5-1.0.2l6l0&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.,cf.osb&fp=569ce67a91048ad5&biw=892&bih=439&safe=active) or [Wikipedia](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/North_Georgia)? > > Don’t quit your day job. [Moderator Notes] **robert\_columbia,** let’s refrain from snarky remarks in GQ; and **Ephemera,** if you have a problem with another poster’s response report than rather than responding in kind. No warnings issued, but don’t do this again. Colibri General Questions Moderator ---
**Author:** ![samclem](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a9a28c/32.png) [@samclem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/samclem)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2011, 2:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/north-georgia-speeding-ticket-possible-reckless-driving-question/598677/10 "2011-10-06T02:59:16Z")
I have a son who currently has a similar ticket. North Carolina(just passing through), doing 83 in a 70 zone. There is NOTHING on the ticket telling you the amount of the fine nor is there any address to send any money. He called the county prosecutor(Duplin) and they said because he was exceeding 80mph he either had to appear in person or hire a lawyer to appear. When he called one of the ten law firms that sent him mail two days after he got the ticket, they said $250 lawyer fee, probably about $250 to get it reduced to “improper equipment.” This is how it’s done in NC(and SC and Georgia} by my understanding. County by county, pay a lawyer and pay them the fine and it all gets better. Hire a lawyer. ---
**Author:** ![Ephemera](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8baadc/32.png) [@Ephemera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ephemera)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2011, 4:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/north-georgia-speeding-ticket-possible-reckless-driving-question/598677/11 "2011-10-06T04:22:25Z")
We both live in Chattanooga, **samclem** , and it straddles the Georgia line so he’s not worried about appearing. Are you suggesting he still get a lawyer, anwyay? > [@TheChileanBlob](#): > > Georgia has a [Superspeeder](http://www.safespeedsgeorgia.org/) fine of an extra $200 for anything above 85 mph. They bill you separately. Thanks for that. I assumed he was going to be charged for something along those lines. > [@Colibri](#): > > **robert\_columbia,** let’s refrain from snarky remarks in GQ; and **Ephemera,** if you have a problem with another poster’s response report than rather than responding in kind. No warnings issued, but don’t do this again. Noted. Sorry, **Colibri**. ---
**Author:** ![Spoke](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a88e57/32.png) [@Spoke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spoke)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2011, 4:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/north-georgia-speeding-ticket-possible-reckless-driving-question/598677/12 "2011-10-06T04:50:47Z")
> [@TheChileanBlob](#): > > Georgia has a [Superspeeder](http://www.safespeedsgeorgia.org/) fine of an extra $200 for anything above 85 mph. They bill you separately. Yes, this will be in addition to the fine imposed by the court for speeding. So when you call the number on the ticket and ask about the fine, mentally add $200 to whatever number they give you. ---
**Author:** ![Spoke](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a88e57/32.png) [@Spoke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spoke)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2011, 4:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/north-georgia-speeding-ticket-possible-reckless-driving-question/598677/13 "2011-10-06T04:57:09Z")
One tactic would be to appear at the arraignment and make an offer to the prosecutor to plead guilty to going 84 mph (so as to avoid the super speeder tack-on fine). Some prosecutors will be amenable to this, some won’t. ---
**Author:** ![samclem](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a9a28c/32.png) [@samclem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/samclem)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2011, 11:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/north-georgia-speeding-ticket-possible-reckless-driving-question/598677/14 "2011-10-06T11:22:28Z")
> [@Ephemera](#): > > We both live in Chattanooga, **samclem** , and it straddles the Georgia line so he’s not worried about appearing. Are you suggesting he still get a lawyer, anwyay? Yep. While I’m only talking about North Carolina from my standpoint, my understanding about Georgia and South Carolina is that they’re similar. If I’m correct, he’s better off with a lawyer because: It’s only gonna cost him about $200 more. The lawyer knows what works and doesn’t work with the prosecutor in that county. He’ll get it reduced to perhaps a lower fine/sentence than if he did it himself. The points on his license will probably be less, and thus his future insurance rates will be less. How much is his time worth? That’s worth $200 of my money anyday. ---
**Author:** ![Raza](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/raza/32/213_2.png) [@Raza](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Raza)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2011, 2:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/north-georgia-speeding-ticket-possible-reckless-driving-question/598677/15 "2011-10-06T14:41:13Z")
As a former law enforcement officer that has appeared in traffic court numerous times (and once as a defendant), I concur: things go better with attorneys. Quite often (perhaps the majority of time) they don’t do anything the defendant wouldn’t do themselves, but “professional courtesy” goes a long way. If you can get representation for $200, I’d do it, especially if that removes the necessity of the defendant having to appear in person (and, frankly, the defendant appearing in person may be a hidrance at times). ---
**Author:** ![Erdosain](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/erdosain/32/7284_2.png) [@Erdosain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Erdosain)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2011, 5:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/north-georgia-speeding-ticket-possible-reckless-driving-question/598677/16 "2011-10-06T17:12:28Z")
> [@Ephemera](#): > > I had a similar ticket and was sentenced to 14 days in jail in addition to a $500.00 fine, but this was four years ago, and in a non-adjoining state. I don’t have any experience with North Georgia. Jesus, you can go to jail for going 90 mph? I think I’m going to slow down. This also means that roughly 20% of commuters in my state are jail-worthy.