"Dead docketed" case

What is the name of your state?What is the name of your state? Georgia
I received a citation for a traffic light violation and the case was "dead docketed". How long does the case stay on the dead docket before it is closed?

It always stays. They can re open it at any time if they wish, however not likely after a couple of years. This was Georgia's answer to dropping or dismissing charges.

BTW, did a lawyer help you with this?

I did not have an attorney. When I went to court, the officer was not present and the judge dead docketed the case.

I would hope that there is a date at which the case would be closed, however I’ve done some research on dead docketing and have not yet found a reference that indicates any time limits. No matter how unlikely, it’s still unsettling to think that an old traffic ticket could potentially be reinstated years from now by a bored judge or a city hoping to raise some cash.

I believe I would ultimately win this case (after all, that’s why I went to court) but it would be reassuring to know that I’ll never have to face this issue again.