Speeding Citations in North Carolina

Most people think a speeding ticket is a simple matter. But fail to realize a conviction can result in higher insurance premiums and/or even the loss of their license.  In NC, speeding over 15 mph over the limit is considered a misdemeanor.  Merely paying off the ticket, either at the court or online, can result in a suspension of your license for at least 30 days...and in some cases longer.

It's important to know the status of your license also.  For example, lets say a person received a seatbelt citation and forgot to go to court or failed to pay the fine.  After 20 days, the Clerk of Court for that particular county will report this to the NC-DMV.  It is then reported to the person's home State if they have a non-NC driver's license.  The DMV will mail a letter to the person's last known address informing them of the unresolved citation.  Usually a deadline is given by the DMV and if it isn't resolved the person's license is revoked.

So...not having received the letter, the person then gets a stop sign violation.  They simply pay it off.  Under NC law this would cause a 12 month suspension.  The reason is the person received the stop-sign violation and was later convicted of it, by paying it off, while they were technically suspended for the missed seatbelt ticket. 

When you hire an attorney on a citation, it's not to "get you off".  You are paying for the expertise in  knowing the traffic laws, DMV revocation statutes, reviewing your record in light of the current citation and appearing in court to resolve it the best that can be done.  Although the traffic laws are the same in all counties located in NC, there are exactly 100 by the way, each county usually has there own local policies regarding the reduction and modification of citations.  Even the Assistant D.A.'s/Prosecutors can differ as to what "pet peeves" they have regarding particular citations.  This is why you want to hire an attorney!!!