Savannah, Georgia Criminal Defense attorney
Usual "civil infractions" include "moving violations", like "speeding" and "failure to yield." At times people get confused, when they are charged with a traffic misdemeanor, such as having invalid license plates or driving an uninsured automobile, and feel that they are being charged with "civil infractions." Traffic misdemeanors in Savannah, Georgia are criminal offenses, and can establish a criminal record. Many traffic misdemeanors also carry "points" that will be added to the defendant's driving record, and some require the revocation of a driver's license. If you have been booked for a "misdemeanor," the ticket will usually reflect the nature of the charge, and you will be required to appear in court. When the charge is a "civil infraction," you typically will not have to appear in court when you pay a fine by mail.
A defendant facing misdemeanor charges in Savannah, Georgia has fewer legal rights than a defendant facing a felony charge. If the defendant does not face imprisonment as a result of conviction, he has no right to an attorney. There will be no right to indictment by grand jury, or to a "preliminary examination" to review the basis of the charges filed. In some states, misdemeanor charges are tried before six person juries, while felonies are usually tried before twelve man juries. Most other rights are the same, for both felonies and misdemeanors.
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Savannah GA DUI Lawyer - Georgia Criminal Defense Attorney