Norwood, NC Traffic Ticket Lawyer

Norwood, NC Traffic Ticket Attorneys

Norwood, NC Traffic Ticket Lawyer

Traffic citations can seem more like inconveniences than serious legal matters to some. You may not even think of challenging a traffic citation if it is not serious. However, by not challenging a traffic citation, you can incur serious consequences for your traffic violations, including hefty fines and even jail time. If you have received a citation, a Stanly County, NC, defense attorney from the Law Offices of Huffman & Kendrick can help you fight it and preserve your driving record.

Our firm has represented clients across North Carolina in legal matters since 1961. From smaller traffic infractions to serious felony crimes, we treat every case with care and consideration. If you are unsure whether your traffic violation is defensible, a Norwood traffic ticket lawyer is ready to help you examine your options.

Common Traffic Violations We Defend

Traffic violations include a wide range of offenses. It is easy to assume that something minor in which no one was injured will not have the same consequences as a collision. Even the most minor traffic violations can affect the rest of your life and render you unable to drive legally.

Some of the most common traffic violations we represent for our clients include:

North Carolina decides penalties for these traffic violations by classifying them as one of three kinds of criminal offenses: infractions, misdemeanors, and felonies. Infractions are the least severe kind of offense, and do not always require a court date. Misdemeanors are much more serious than infractions, but cannot exceed more than 120 days in jail time.

The felony classification is reserved for the most serious offenses, often those that result in the death of another person. Serious bodily injury or destruction of another person’s property is the greatest deciding factor between an offense being labeled as a felony rather than a misdemeanor.

Traffic violations are not always committed intentionally, but they can still lead to major consequences. It is important that you defend yourself against them and enlist the help of a seasoned traffic attorney. Don’t allow a demerit on your driving record to go unchallenged.

The Point System

In North Carolina, there is a point system for traffic violations that dictates potential license suspension for drivers. When you leave a charge for a traffic violation unchallenged, you allow points to accrue on your driving record that can contribute to the revocation of your driving privileges. The point system in North Carolina uses both the number of points and the date of the offense to determine how long your license will be suspended.

For first-time suspensions, you can expect a suspension period of 60 days. Second suspensions can warrant a period of 6 months, while third suspensions and onward can warrant periods of 1 year.

Allowing points to build on your driving record puts you at risk of license suspension, which can then affect other important aspects of your life, like schooling and your career. A traffic lawyer can help you fight these driving allegations and maintain a clean driving record.

How to Fight a Speeding Ticket in North Carolina?

There are many possible defenses you can use to fight a speeding ticket. With an attorney, you can discuss the circumstances surrounding your case to decide whether to pursue one of the following:

Waivable Offenses and Court Dates

All traffic tickets include a court date wherein the person charged with the offense can present their case in front of a judge before receiving their sentencing. Some offenses, which are only punishable by fines, can have their court dates waived. Your offense must be eligible, as noted by the law enforcement personnel who wrote the ticket, and pay the fine requested before your court date. You can pay this fine either online, in the mail, or at the courthouse in the county you were charged.

Your offense may still be eligible for waiving even if the law enforcement officer who wrote the ticket did not note it. The list of waivable offenses is reviewed and updated every year online.

By waiving your court date, you accept the charges in full. You will be treated as responsible or guilty with no opportunity to challenge the accusation, and all effects to your driver’s license will be instated.

License Revocation and Limited Driving Privileges

Some driving offenses can result in your driver’s license getting suspended or revoked. This can be particularly difficult to manage for people who rely on their cars to work or manage other responsibilities. However, with the help of an attorney, you may qualify for limited driving privileges.

Limited driving privilege is permission to drive which is granted by a judge for the sole purpose of completing one or more necessary tasks. This can look like written permission to commute to work and back or to drive to a medical institution to receive necessary healthcare. Your eligibility to file for limited driving privileges depends on your particular charge and circumstances. Not everyone will qualify, although attorney intervention can be helpful.

Other Ways a Traffic Ticket Can Impact Your Life

Depending on the charge, a traffic ticket can have a huge impact on your life, even without a sentence of jail time. Consider your commute to work or your child’s daily school pickup. Cars have become an integral piece of the way we connect with the rest of the world. What may seem like a short license suspension can open you up to new risks. Secondary offenses can receive even higher penalties.

Financially, fines for traffic violations can be expensive, especially with more serious offenses. Having a driving record with demerits on it can also affect the affordability of your insurance. Insurance companies often raise their rates for drivers who have proven to be an additional risk.

How Much Does a Traffic Lawyer Cost in NC?

Fees for traffic lawyers can vary based on the severity of the charge they are defending. Other factors that can influence costs are which county the lawyer is working in and what their firm’s individual pricing plan is. It is important to discuss payment structures with your prospective attorney before agreeing to hire them. At the Law Offices of Huffman & Kendrick, we can discuss costs over a consultation before you commit to us.

Should I Get a Lawyer for Reckless Driving in NC?

Reckless driving can warrant serious penalties if not properly defended. If you are charged with reckless driving, you have likely engaged in a manner of driving that endangered other drivers on the road or yourself. Whether or not this resulted in a collision, North Carolina scrutinizes reckless driving charges. It is important to invest in a skilled legal advocate when you combat your charge.

Things to Look for in a Traffic Violation Lawyer

A traffic violation lawyer should treat your case with the utmost respect and consideration, regardless of severity. When you are comparing your options, consider the following:

FAQs

Q: What Is the Highest Penalty I Can Get for a Traffic Violation in NC?

A: The highest penalty you can get for a traffic violation in NC is dependent on the offense you have committed and if other parties were involved. The most serious crimes result in the death of another person. Felony convictions are punishable with jail time and typically remain on your criminal record permanently unless you make later efforts to have it expunged.

Q: Do I Need a Lawyer for a Traffic Violation in North Carolina?

A: No, you do not legally need a lawyer for a traffic violation in North Carolina, but it is highly recommended. There are many reasons why it is beneficial to have one, including the fact that most civilians are not familiar with legal jargon or court processes. An experienced traffic lawyer can give you a much better chance at a sentence reduction or dismissal than self-representation.

Q: Can I Go to Jail for a Traffic Violation in NC?

A: Yes, you can go to jail for a traffic violation in NC if the offense was a serious misdemeanor. Infractions cannot be punished through jail time, as they are much less severe. Misdemeanors encompass a wide range of potential fines and jail sentences. For example, many hit and run accidents are considered Class 1 misdemeanors, which are punishable with up to 120 days in jail.

Q: Can I Go to Court Over a Traffic Ticket in NC?

A: Yes, you can go to court over a traffic ticket in Norwood, NC. All traffic tickets include a court date where you have the option to defend yourself or hire a defense. However, smaller offenses, known as “waivable” offenses, can be taken care of without a court date, usually by opting to pay the fine in advance. Most tickets will denote if the offense is waivable.

Dedicated Traffic Ticket Lawyers at the Law Offices of Huffman & Kendrick

At the Law Offices of Huffman & Kendrick, we take every case seriously and treat our clients with the unique attention they deserve. We offer comprehensive legal counsel at all stages of a traffic charge and strive to secure outcomes that satisfy our clients.

To learn more about how we can assist you with your case, contact a Norwood traffic ticket lawyer today.