Legal Question in Traffic Law in Georgia

No one can tell you what will happen in court, but you have the potential to serve jail time as well as substantial fines. Additionally, depending on the disposition, you can lose your driver's license. You definitely need counsel.

Georgia Code 40-6-15, notes that any person who knowingly drives a motor vehicle on any public road or highway of this state at a time when the vehicle registration of such vehicle is suspended, canceled, or revoked shall be guilty of a misdemeanor. Subsection (b) goes on to say that a first conviction or a plea of nolo contendere for this offense has penalties of imprisonment for not more than 12 months and there may be imposed in addition a fine of not less than $500 nor more than $1,000, at the discretion of the court. For a second or subsequent conviction within five years you can be found guilty of a high and aggravated misdemeanor which can be punished by imprisonment for not less than ten days nor more than 12 months and in addition a fine of not less than $1,000 nor more than $2,500.

As to no insurance, under 40-6-10 not having insurance is a misdemeanor. The minimum fine is $200.00, and the fine can go up to $1000 for a first offense. You can receive up to a year in jail. For a first offense your driver's license will be suspended for 60 days. For a second offense within a five year period, your driver's license along with your license tag and tag registration will be suspended for 90 days. There are dispositions that can possibly save your license.