Littering Fines and Illegal Dumping Citations

Practice Description

Most people think that throwing trash out of their window while driving in Atlanta isn’t that big a deal. However, in the eyes of Georgia Law, littering is a serious crime that can lead to you having to pay a hefty fine, serve community service hours, and even potentially spend time in jail.

Throwing out your fast food waste on the interstate is not worth those consequences. If you are arrested for illegal dumping, or receive an environmental citation for dumping, your penalties could be even more severe.

However, if you have received a fine or citation for littering or illegal dumping, do not face your legal battle alone. You may be able to get a reduced sentence, or even have all of the charges dropped, if you get in contact with a skilled Atlanta criminal defense attorney.

At Andersen, Tate & Carr, we have years of experience working with littering and illegal dumping cases, and we will use our extensive knowledge to help you in your case.

Definition of Littering In Atlanta

According to Georgia Code § 16-7-43, it is illegal to put any waste, including cans, papers, dead animals, boxes, bottles and other household garbage, onto any public or private property or into any public or private waters. This includes roads and beaches.

The punishments for littering are quite severe in Atlanta. While the crime is only classified as a misdemeanor, you will most likely face a hefty fine of up to $1,000, even after your first offense. You could also be required to clean up to one mile of a stretch of road where you committed your littering offense. Also, you could be sentenced to spend up to one year in jail.

Definition of Illegal Dumping in Atlanta

According to Georgia Code § 16-7-52, it is illegal to dump any egregious litter onto any public or private road, into any freshwater or saltwater bodies of water or onto any other private or public property.

Even if you have received the consent of an owner to dump litter onto private property, you must ensure that the dumping of your litter will not adversely affect the general public’s health. If you don’t take this step and your litter could put others at risk, this may also be considered illegal dumping.

While the first offense for illegal dumping is a misdemeanor and carries the penalties of a fine up to $1,000 and up to one year of jail time, the second offense is much more severe. If you are convicted of illegally dumping more than 500 pounds in Atlanta a second time, it is considered a felony. You can be fined up to $25,000 and be sentenced up to two years in prison.

Contact Our Experienced Team of Atlanta Littering Fines and Illegal Dumping Attorneys Today

Obviously, Georgia law is quite strict when it comes to littering and illegal dumping. Therefore, if you have been fined or received a citation for one of these crimes, or if you have gotten in trouble with the law for any other type of environmental issue in Atlanta, reach out to our team of experienced attorneys today.

At Andersen, Tate & Carr, our attorneys have extensive experience in dealing with environmental law cases, and we will be able to protect your rights during your legal proceedings. Contact us today to learn how we can help you.