What Do Non-Moving Violations Have To Do With Your DUI Arrest?
You may think that there was no reason for the police to pull you over when you got your DUI. However, Atlanta police officers and Georgia State Patrol are trained to look over every little detail of a car and how it is driven to see if there is any basis for making a traffic stop. Even if it is something as little as a cracked windshield, that could give the police the reason they need to stop you long enough to see whether you may be arrested for a greater crime, like drunk driving.
Non-Moving Violations Under Georgia Law
Moving violations are those which happen related to how a car is operated. This includes speeding, failing to pull over for an ambulance, disregarding a railroad crossing signal, and failure to yield right of way. If you get pulled over and get a ticket for a moving violation, it will usually involve paying a fine, unless you fight the ticket, and points on your driving record, which can increase your insurance.
Non-moving violations will usually mean no points on your driving record, but could include a fine. In some cases, you may have to pay the penalty, and prove that the violation was corrected. For example, driving with a broken tail light is a non-moving violation, under O.C.G.A. 40-8-23. You may get it fixed, and after showing proof of the repair, the ticket could be dismissed with an administrative fee. Non-moving violations generally don't impact your points or auto insurance rates.
The real problem for drivers who get stopped for a non-moving violation is that it could lead to other tickets, or even arrest, once the officer starts snooping around. Think of a scenario where you are driving and may realize you had one too many. You may want to pull over, and sleep it off, and you park along the street. However, a police officer may come by and see you are parked illegally, parked in a handicapped space, or parked too far from the curb. If they come up to ask you about your parking, they may smell alcohol, and the next thing you know, you are under arrest for driving under the influence.
It is a common practice that police stop a driver for any moving violation or even a non-moving violation, and upon further investigation, believe the driver may be suspected of a more serious violation, including drunk driving.
Cops need a basis to pull you over in the first place, even if it is something as minor as the light out above your license plate. Once they have a reason to stop you, either for erratic driving, speeding, or not wearing a seatbelt, their routine questions may lead them to suspect an alcohol-impaired driver, and you'll be arrested for a DUI.
Moving Violation DUI Defense Lawyer
Before you decide to plead guilty to a DUI after a non-moving violation stop, be prepared for the possible penalties and consequences associated with a DUI conviction. Contact our Atlanta DUI Attorneys who can answer your questions about your case, and greatly improving your chances for getting your case dismissed or charges reduced. Make sure your arrest doesn't lead to losing your driver's license and worse. Contact our office today, so we can discuss your arrest, and what a DUI can mean for your criminal record.