Charged with Leaving the Scene in Georgia? Here’s What You Need to Know

A hit and run doesn’t automatically mean you’re guilty. But you do need a plan.

You were in an accident. You panicked. You didn’t think it was serious. You didn’t know you were supposed to stop. Now you’re being charged with leaving the scene — and you’re wondering how bad this could get.

The answer: pretty bad, if you don’t take action fast. But with the right legal help, there’s often a way forward.

At EHG Law Firm, we help people across Metro Atlanta who’ve been charged with hit and run or failure to stop after an accident — even when they didn’t realize anything was wrong.


What Does Georgia Law Say About Hit and Run?

Under O.C.G.A. § 40-6-270, Georgia drivers involved in an accident must:

  • Stop at the scene (or as close as safely possible)

  • Give their name, address, and vehicle info

  • Show a driver’s license upon request

  • Render aid if someone is injured

If you leave before doing those things, you may be charged with hit and run — even if the damage was minor.


What Are the Penalties?

The consequences depend on the facts of your case:

  • Misdemeanor Hit and Run (no injury):

    • Up to 12 months in jail

    • License suspension

    • Fines and probation

You can also face:

  • Civil lawsuits from the other party

  • Higher insurance rates

  • A criminal record that affects jobs or travel


A Real Story: He Thought It Was Nothing

A client came to us after being charged with hit and run in Gwinnett County. He’d clipped a parked car’s mirror while turning — didn’t feel any damage and didn’t stop. He thought nothing of it.

But someone took down his plate and filed a report. Weeks later, he got a call from the police.

We got involved right away, spoke to the Investigator, gathered evidence, and presented the full story. Because he had no criminal record and the damage was minor, we secured a resolution that avoided jail time, a conviction, and a license suspension.


Does Leaving the Scene Always Lead to Jail?

No. While these charges are serious, many first-time offenders avoid jail or even a conviction — especially if:

  • There were no injuries

  • You left unintentionally

  • You have a relatively clean record

We work to:

  • Negotiate alternative resolutions (dismissals, reductions, pretrial diversion)

  • Review footage and evidence to challenge identification

  • Present your side of the story before charges escalate

The earlier we’re involved, the more options we usually have.


What If I Haven’t Been Charged Yet?

If police have contacted you but you haven’t been arrested or charged, now is the time to get a lawyer.

We’ve helped clients avoid unnecessary penalties:

  • Responding to investigators

  • Negotiating warrant alternatives

  • Making restitution early (when appropriate)

Once warrants are filed, the case becomes harder to unwind — so don’t wait.


We Handle Hit and Run Defense Across Metro Atlanta

We defend these charges in:

  • Atlanta Municipal Court

  • Fulton, DeKalb, Cobb, and Gwinnett County courts

  • City courts in Marietta, East Point, Decatur, Chamblee, Sandy Springs, Alpharetta, and Roswell

We know how prosecutors and judges in each court treat these cases — and how to navigate them strategically.


Don’t Face This Alone

Leaving the scene doesn’t always mean you were in the wrong. But it’s not the kind of charge you want to explain away on your own.

We’ve helped hundreds of drivers in situations just like yours. We can help you, too.

Why You Shouldn’t Just Pay That Super Speeder Ticket Online

In Georgia, paying a ticket = pleading guilty — and that can cost you a lot more than the fine.

Got a speeding ticket for going 85+ on I‑75 or 76+ on a two-lane road? If so, you’ve probably seen the link to pay online through the court’s website or Georgia DDS.

It seems fast and easy. But before you click “Pay,” you need to know:
Paying a Super Speeder ticket is the same as pleading guilty.
And in Georgia, that decision can affect your license, your insurance, and even your ability to keep driving.

At EHG Law Firm, we help people fight Super Speeder tickets the right way — so a speeding mistake doesn’t become a legal and financial disaster.


What is Georgia’s Super Speeder Law?

Georgia’s Super Speeder law (O.C.G.A. § 40-6-189) adds an extra penalty on top of certain speeding convictions.

You’re considered a Super Speeder if:

  • You drive 75 mph or more on a two-lane road, or

  • You drive 85 mph or more on any road (interstate, highway, etc.)

If convicted, you’ll owe:

  • The court fine (which varies by county), plus

  • A $200 Super Speeder fee from the Georgia Department of Driver Services (DDS)

If you don’t pay the DDS fee by their deadline, your license will be suspended.


Why Paying Online Can Backfire

Paying your ticket online might seem like “just paying a fine.” But legally, it’s a guilty plea — and it has real consequences:

  • Points on your license

  • License suspension if you don’t pay the Super Speeder fee or the license is close to a point suspension

  • Huge increase in insurance premiums

  • Missed opportunity for a reduced charge or no-points resolution

We’ve seen drivers pay online, forget about the DDS fee, and then get pulled over months later — only to find out their license is suspended and now they’re facing a criminal charge for driving on a suspended license.


A Real Story: Suspension from a Click

A client called us confused — he’d just been arrested on I‑285. He had no idea why. Turns out, he’d paid a Super Speeder ticket online, never received the DDS fee notice (it was mailed to an old address), and the state suspended his license.

All because of a few extra miles per hour — and a rushed decision to pay online.

We got the new charges resolved, reinstated his license, and helped clean up the mess. But it could have been avoided with one phone call before he pled guilty.


Can You Fight a Super Speeder Ticket?

Yes — and in many cases, you should.

Every county and judge handles these differently, but we regularly help clients:

  • Negotiate lower speeds to avoid Super Speeder status

  • Request no-points pleas (especially for first-time or young drivers)

  • Fight improper speed detection (radar/LIDAR issues or calibration problems)

  • Dismiss charges based on legal errors or lack of evidence

If you drive for a living, are under 21, or already have points on your record, fighting your ticket isn’t just a good idea — it’s necessary if you want to protect your license.


Courts Where We Handle Super Speeder Tickets:

We regularly appear in:

  • Atlanta Municipal Court

  • Fulton, DeKalb, Cobb, and Gwinnett County traffic courts

  • City courts in Marietta, Decatur, College Park, Chamblee, East Point, Roswell, Alpharetta and more

Every court has different procedures. We know what works — and how to get the best result for your case.


Before You Pay That Ticket — Talk to Us

We’ll review your ticket for free. No pressure. Just honest advice about what options you have.

Missed a Court Date in Georgia? Don’t Make These 3 Mistakes

A bench warrant may already be active — but it’s not too late to fix it.

You meant to go. You forgot the date. You moved and never got the notice. Whatever happened, you just realized you missed your court date — and you’re not sure what to do next.

Take a breath.

At EHG Law Firm, we help people across Metro Atlanta clear Failure to Appear (FTA) charges, lift bench warrants, and avoid arrest. The biggest danger isn’t the missed court date — it’s what you do (or don’t do) next.

Here are the three biggest mistakes to avoid if you’ve missed court in Georgia.


Mistake #1: Ignoring It and Hoping It Goes Away

We get it — this is the part where your stomach sinks and you’re tempted to delay. But in Georgia, a missed court appearance often means a bench warrant has already been issued for your arrest.

Warrants do not expire.

That means you could be:

  • Arrested during a traffic stop

  • Picked up at your home or job

  • Jailed over a misunderstanding you thought was minor

And it doesn’t stop there. DDS may suspend your license, especially if the missed hearing was for a traffic or DUI charge. The longer you wait, the more serious the consequences get.


Mistake #2: Turning Yourself In Without a Plan

Some people think the best move is to go turn themselves in at the jail on a traffic FTA. But that can lead to:

  • Being held without bond

  • Missing more work or childcare

  • Getting no credit for being cooperative

There’s often a better way. In many cases, we can:

  • File a motion lift the bench warrant

  • Schedule a hearing to address the FTA

  • Resolve the FTA without you having to appear and without an arrest

Judges are typically more receptive when you take steps to fix the issue the right way — before law enforcement steps in.


Mistake #3: Guessing What Your Court Requires

Every traffic court in Georgia handles FTAs a little differently. Some may let you walk in and request a new court date. Others require you or your lawyer to appear in court.

We’ve seen people:

  • Show up expecting to be heard — and end up taken into custody

  • Call the wrong number and get bad advice

  • Delay because they thought they’d get a letter (they didn’t)

You may not need a lawyer for every FTA — but guessing about your next step can backfire. We help people avoid that risk by contacting the right people, filing the right motions, and getting things back on track quickly and safely.


A Real Example: Warrant Lifted, License Saved

A client called us after missing court in Atlanta Municipal Court on a traffic ticket. By the time he realized, his license had already been suspended by DDS and a bench warrant had been issued.

We moved fast. Filed the right motion. Got the court to lift the warrant. Worked with DDS to get his license reinstated. And appeared on his behalf in court — with no additional jail time and no conviction on his record and no required court appearance.


We Handle FTAs Across Metro Atlanta

We regularly clear bench warrants and handle FTAs in:

  • Atlanta Municipal Court

  • Fulton, DeKalb, Cobb, and Gwinnett County courts

  • City courts like Marietta, Decatur, Chamblee, East Point, and Sandy Springs, Brookhaven, South Fulton, East Point, Alpharetta, Roswell, Smyrna, Tucker, Dunwoody, Snellville, and many more

Whether it was a traffic case, a DUI, or a misdemeanor, we know how to help.


Don’t Let a Missed Date Turn Into a Life-Changing Arrest

The worst thing to do right now is nothing. A missed court date is a legal emergency — but it’s one we know how to fix.

Will I Lose My License After a DUI in Georgia?

You only have 30 days to fight your license suspension. Here’s what happens next.

A DUI arrest is overwhelming. Your car is towed, you’re fingerprinted, and you’re left wondering what comes next. One of the first — and most urgent — questions we hear is:

“Am I going to lose my license?”

The answer? It depends. But in Georgia, the clock is ticking. If you’ve been arrested for DUI, you have just 30 days to act — or your license could be suspended before your first court date.

At EHG Law Firm, we help drivers across Metro Atlanta protect their right to drive and fight back against DUI charges.


Georgia Has Two Paths to Suspension

Here’s what most people don’t realize: when you’re arrested for DUI, you’re facing two separate cases — and either one can take your license.

1. The Administrative Suspension (ALS)

This is a civil process handled by the Georgia Department of Driver Services (DDS) — not the criminal court.

  • If you refused a breath or blood test, or

  • If you blew over the legal limit,

  • The officer likely submitted a DDS Form 1205, which starts the ALS process.

You only have 30 days from your arrest to file a request for a hearing or an ignition interlock permit.
If you don’t? Your license will be automatically suspended for up to 12 months.

We represent clients at ALS hearings and, in many cases, negotiate withdrawals of the suspension or help secure a limited driving permit.

2. The Criminal DUI Case

If you’re convicted of DUI in court, the judge is required to report it to DDS — which will then suspend your license again based on the conviction.

For example:

  • First DUI conviction: 120 day suspension (limited permit usually available during this period)

  • Second DUI within 5 years: 120 hard suspension (limited permit may be available after hard suspension period)

  • Third DUI: Habitual violator status and 5-year revocation

Even if you avoided ALS suspension, a courtroom conviction can still take away your license.


A Real Story: DUI Dismissed, License Saved

A client came to us after being arrested in Cobb County for DUI Less Safe. He refused the breath test, triggering the ALS process. He had just accepted a new job that required daily driving.

We immediately requested the ALS hearing and negotiated a withdrawal of the license suspension.

Meanwhile, we challenged the DUI charge in court and got it dismissed based upon our analysis of the DUI investigation.

No conviction. No suspension. No interruption to his new job.


What If You Missed the 30-Day Deadline?

You may still have options — but they’re narrower.

  • If the 30-day period just passed, we may be able to file a late appeal with supporting cause if you did not receive the 1205 form at the time of your arrest.

  • If you submitted to the officer’s breath test you may be eligible to reinstate after 30 days.

Don’t assume it’s too late until you speak to us.


Local Courts We Appear In:

We represent DUI clients across Metro Atlanta, including:

  • Atlanta Municipal Court

  • Fulton, Cobb, DeKalb, Gwinnett County State and Superior Courts

  • City courts in Sandy Springs, Decatur, Marietta, Chamblee, College Park, Alpharetta, Roswell, Smyrna, Brookhaven and more

We know the judges, the prosecutors, and the process. And we use that insight to protect your record and your license.


What to Do Right Now

  • 📅 Check the date of your arrest

  • 📨 See if you received a Form 1205

  • 📞 Call us today — even if you’re not sure

We’ve helped hundreds of people just like you avoid license suspensions and fight DUI charges strategically. You don’t have to go through this alone.