Are all traffic tickets handled in a criminal court setting?

No, not all traffic tickets in Georgia are handled in a criminal court setting. Some traffic tickets are classified as infractions, which are violations of state law that are punishable by a penalty but do not involve any jail time. These violations are not criminal offenses and, therefore, would not be handled in a criminal court setting. In Georgia, infractions are typically handled in a non-criminal court known as Magistrate Court. This court has jurisdiction over a variety of different civil cases, including traffic ticket violations. Infraction cases are heard in front of a judge, with no jury present. The judge will listen to both sides of the story and may decide to reduce or dismiss the ticket. However, if the judge finds the individual guilty, they may be subject to a fine or other civil punishment. It is important to note that if you are accused of a more serious crime while operating a motor vehicle, your case may be transferred to a criminal court. For example, reckless driving or driving under the influence (DUI) are serious criminal offenses and would be handled in a criminal court setting. However, minor traffic tickets, such as speeding or running a stop sign, are typically handled in Magistrate Court.

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Are all traffic tickets handled in a criminal court setting?

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