Tips for Port Wentworth Municipal Court
If you are arrested in the City of Port Wentworth, Georgia your first court appearance will likely come before the Port Wentworth Municipal Court.
Every court is different, and it is important to know what you’re going to face when you go to court. Here are some tips to help you with your Port Wentworth Municipal Court appearance:
- Port Wentworth gives you the right to a probable cause hearing. That means that even if you want to plea not guilty and defend yourself in Chatham County State Court, you can still have a hearing in Port Wentworth to get a glimpse of what the officer will say when he testifies. This is an important and useful tool; take advantage of it.
- The judges in Port Wentworth will allow you to plead “Guilty with an explanation.” This means that you are admitting your guilt to what you are charged with, but you are given the opportunity to explain what happened from your side of events. This can be especially helpful when fighting something like Georgia’s Move Over Law (you can explain that you just didn’t see the officer until it was too late). A solid explanation can save you money on fines and points on your license.
- You have the right to an attorney and if you don’t have one at your first appearance, they will continue your case to give you time to get an attorney. Always have an attorney with you—it is crucial to making the most out of your case.
- Port Wentworth Municipal Court handles many cases that involve drivers with a commercial driver’s license (CDL). Commercial truck drivers form a vital part of the Port Wentworth economy, and therefore the Municipal Court will often cut them more slack than they might get in another Chatham County court.
Knowing your court is important to fighting your case. For more information, call us today.