Traffic violations are the most common legal offenses that take place in North Carolina. While they don’t often feel serious, traffic tickets can have a larger impact on your life than you might realize. Whether you were pulled over for speeding or you were accused of running a red light, all traffic violations in North Carolina come with consequences.
However, just because you were accused of a traffic violation doesn’t mean that you have to immediately submit to its penalties. Talk to the Law Offices of Huffman & Kendrick, PLLC, to see how we can defend you against alleged traffic violations here in Indian Trail, NC.
When you’re found guilty of one or more traffic violations, you can receive hefty fines, have points on your license, and even lose your car if you’re not careful. At the Law Offices of Huffman & Kendrick, PLLC, our firm has spent over 50 years representing North Carolina residents through arduous traffic cases. We know that a traffic violation can cost you, which is why our team of defense attorneys utilizes various strategies, laws, and precedents to defend your rights. With decades of experience helping us navigate difficult traffic cases, you can count on the Law Offices of Huffman & Kendrick, PLLC, to represent you through an Indian Trail traffic violation.
The phrase “traffic violation” is an umbrella term used to describe a collection of driving-related offenses. Traffic violations involve any legal offense where a driver breaks the laws that regulate traffic. For example, if a street has a sign stating that the speed limit is 25 mph and a driver is going 45 mph, they are breaking the traffic regulation laws and endangering other people. Traffic violations vary in severity, depending on what offense occurred and if there was damage or injury involved. If you were given a ticket or arrested for a traffic offense in Indian Trail, you should consult one of our traffic violation attorneys as soon as possible.
North Carolina’s traffic laws are in place not only to protect drivers and pedestrians but also to regulate the traffic of vehicles. It is the duty of a driver to comply with both local and state traffic laws; otherwise, they can receive penalties. The most common traffic violations seen throughout North Carolina include:
Without speed limits, roads would be a dangerous free-for-all where every vehicle travels at a different rate. To ensure the safety of people on and off the road, a driver must follow the speed limit wherever they are. North Carolina defines speeding as when a driver exceeds a speed that a “prudent and reasonable driver” would not. Penalties for speeding in Indian Trail can include fines up to $250 or more, points on your license, and potential jail time if you are convicted of a misdemeanor.
In some cases, however, a driver may be unfairly pulled over when they are going the speed of the traffic around them. If this has happened to you, you may have a strong defense for your alleged violation. Ask our team about your Indian Trail speeding ticket to learn about your options.
Most cases of running a red light occur when someone is in a rush or they simply misjudged the length of the light. With that in mind, it is still the duty of the state to protect everyone on the road. Because of this, running a red light can result in penalties such as fines of around $100, three points on your license and insurance, and potential damages if you cause an accident. Red light violations can include:
Your driver’s license is what allows you to legally operate a vehicle in North Carolina. Without a valid one, you are legally not allowed to drive a car, no matter how short the distance you want to travel is. If you are pulled over and found to have a suspended or revoked license, you may face jail time of up to 120 days, fines, and further suspension or revocation of your driving privileges.
North Carolina law defines reckless driving as when an individual carelessly operates a vehicle with blatant disregard for the safety of other people. Reckless driving is considered a more serious offense than speeding and generally puts other people in danger. It’s important that anyone charged with reckless driving is aware that this is a misdemeanor in North Carolina, meaning that it can result in jail time on top of fines and points on your license. Examples of reckless driving in Indian Trail include:
While your license is critical to driving a car, it’s also imperative that your car is registered with the state and insured. Unlike some other states, North Carolina requires all drivers to carry at least the minimum state-approved insurance. If a driver is found operating an unregistered or uninsured vehicle, consequences may include a $50 fine, having to reinstate your license for another $50, and then the fees needed to register or insure your car. If you have previous convictions, you may face probation in North Carolina.
In North Carolina, it is illegal for anyone to text while they are driving. If you are under the age of 18, cell phone use is completely prohibited while you are operating a vehicle. While these laws may seem strict, texting while driving is one of the leading causes of distracted driving across the country. It leads to thousands of accidents and injuries every year, which is why the state decided to implement laws to discourage using your phone. Fines for texting and driving can reach up to $100 in addition to any legal fees.
To manage every driver’s traffic violations, North Carolina uses what is known as a points system. When a driver commits a certain traffic violation, they will receive the amount of points that correlate with their offense. For example, running a red light in Indian Trail would put three points on your license. However, driving with a suspended license could put eight points on it. Generally, the more severe a violation is, the more points it will put on your record.
When a driver begins to accumulate points, their insurance costs may be raised, and they may also be more at risk for stricter punishments in future cases. If an individual collects 12 points on their license within a three-year period, the state will have to suspend their license. Your first suspension should last around 60 days. If it is suspended for a second or third time, it will then last six months to a year.
People often submit to the penalties of whatever traffic violation they were charged with because they don’t think they can fight it. However, this doesn’t have to be the norm. Many traffic violations are backed by poor evidence. In fact, some cases even involve police misconduct. Because there are a variety of defenses to each traffic violation, it’s smart to retain a lawyer who can review your case.
By choosing to work with the Law Offices of Huffman & Kendrick, PLLC, you can expect:
If you were ticketed or arrested for a traffic violation in Indian Trail, North Carolina, we implore you to seek legal aid from a defense firm with experience. No matter what kind of traffic violation you were accused of, our Indian Trail traffic attorney is prepared to listen to your side of the story. The Law Offices of Huffman & Kendrick, PLLC, is committed to advocating for North Carolina drivers and is here to serve you in almost any case.
Contact the Law Offices of Huffman & Kendrick, PLLC, for powerful advocation in an Indian Trail traffic case today. Schedule your initial consultation to get started.