No License, No Tag

[petewisdom]

Hi, I am an non-immigrant worker from Venezuela with an H-1 Visa.
I was stopped last week because i had no tag and was arrested because apparently, according to Georgia law, even though i am not a legal resident of the U.S., i am one for the state of Georgia.
I was taken to jail and had to post bond of 300$ and have a court date and don't have a clue as to what to do.
I want to do waht's going to be less damaging to my record but also I am a little upset because the Driver's Manual of the state of GA clearly states that non-residents need no GA license.
Well, since the day i was arrested, I went out and got tags and am studying to get a GA license before my court date. What do you think my chances are? Also if you know, what are possible fines and/or sentences i could face. And last, should I get counsel and if so what kind?

 

[Michael Wechsler]

It's a tough question to answer -- I've had my share of problems with justice in the state of GA. I don't think the matter is really that serious but, as I said, in GA one can only wonder what happens at times. Will counsel make a difference? Perhaps... but I'm not really sure the charges are that serious and whether, if you corrected the situation, you would be able to have the charges dismissed since it seems you were legally in the US but GA had some technicality which you were unaware.

I'd go in with confidence and make yourself out to be a person who legitimately thought they had all their paperwork done correctly -- it's not like you are illegal. You corrected the situation immediately as soon as you discovered the lack of compliance (I'd say that and not use the word "problem".

Have you spoken to someone in the prosecutor's office? Have you spoken to or checked the INS web site or the INS? Better yet, have you contacted your consulate? I'm not sure how you can be an illegal alien in GA but not elsewhere.