how to contest a traffic ticket in north carolina without a lawyer

by Dr. Darwin Cronin 5 min read

Can I just pay my ticket and not go to court in North Carolina?

For some traffic offenses, such as minor speeding violations and equipment violations, you have the option of handling your case without going to court by paying the fine and court costs before your court date.

How do you get a speeding ticket dismissed in North Carolina?

How to Get a Ticket Dismissed in NC
  1. Admit Guilt. When you just go ahead and pay the ticket, you are admitting to guilt for the offense listed. ...
  2. Waivable Offenses. ...
  3. Non-Moving Violations. ...
  4. Online Dismissal. ...
  5. Plead “Not Guilty” ...
  6. Plead Guilty in Court. ...
  7. Reduced Charges. ...
  8. Prayer for Judgment.
•
Nov 12, 2020

Should I get a lawyer for a speeding ticket NC?

It is advised to consult with a traffic citation defense attorney in North Carolina to help you fight a traffic ticket to avoid fines, additional points on your driving record, license suspension, and other consequences associated with admitting guilt to a traffic violation.Dec 30, 2020

How do I get a ticket reduced in NC?

The program is called “iPlea” and it allows drivers who have received speeding tickets to go online to onlineservices.NCcourts.org and ask the District Attorney's Office to reduce their fine. The District Attorney's Office will consider the request as long as its 7 days before the driver's court date.Aug 31, 2017

How can I fight a speeding ticket?

Here are four steps for contesting a speeding offence in court:
  1. Plea and mitigation form. If you have decent grounds to appeal you need to complete a plea and mitigation form. ...
  2. Requesting evidence of the speeding offence. ...
  3. Court appearance. ...
  4. Guilty or not guilty.
Mar 18, 2019

What do I say in court for a speeding ticket?

What To Say in Traffic Court
  1. First things first. ...
  2. Speak respectfully. ...
  3. Use full sentences to speak. ...
  4. Speak only when asked to speak.
  5. Answer the question and only the question. ...
  6. Detail what happened and why your situation is an exception. ...
  7. Consider how you explain why you aren't guilty before you go in there.

How much does a traffic lawyer cost in North Carolina?

A typical lawyer fee to handle a traffic ticket or moving violation will range from around $50 to $250, with the average about $155. Each state and county varies. For example, in North Carolina, the average lawyer fee is around $130.Aug 3, 2018

What is a prayer for Judgement in North Carolina?

What is a Prayer for Judgment Continued in North Carolina? A PJC is a legal device used in some misdemeanors and traffic violations where the Court does not enter a final ruling or conviction in a case, even after the individual has been found guilty or pled guilty.

How much is speeding ticket in NC?

How much does a North Carolina speeding ticket cost? A speeding ticket in North Carolina costs at least $188 in court/administrative fees, plus the fine for the speed overage. Driving 0 to 5 mph over the limit costs $10, while 16 miles or more will reflect a $50 charge.Jul 2, 2021

How can I get my reckless driving ticket reduced in NC?

An attorney can advise you on your rights, argue the case in court, and help you determine whether to plead guilty to a lesser charge or take the case to court. In many instances, an experienced attorney may be able to get the ticket dismissed or get the criminal charge reduced to a civil charge.Jan 24, 2022

How many points does it take to lose your license in North Carolina?

12 points
An individual's license may be suspended if they accumulate as many as 12 points within a three-year period. Eight points within three years following the reinstatement of a license can result in an additional suspension.Jul 20, 2019

What is considered reckless driving in North Carolina?

North Carolina law is vague on specifics when it comes to reckless driving: “Any person who drives any vehicle upon a highway or any public area carelessly and heedlessly in willful or wanton disregard of the rights or safety of others shall be guilty of reckless driving.”Oct 30, 2018

Can the ADA dismiss a speeding ticket?

​ It is rare to see an ADA outright dismiss a speeding ticket, although they do routinely dismiss other tickets such as seat-belt violations or tickets that result from an accident with an insurance letter.

What happens if you don't appear in court?

If you do not appear on your designated Court date a failure to appear will be entered that will eventually revoke your license. Before your license is revoked the DMV should send a letter to the address on your license- another reason to keep your information current with the DMV.

Can an ADA negotiate a ticket?

Yes- although that may or may not be a good idea. In some counties lawyers are able to obtain the best outcome by selecting a better Assistant District Attorney (“ADA”) to negotiate your ticket or simply knowing what to say that may result in a reduction.

What to do if you are in an accident?

If you were in an accident make sure you bring an insurance letter stating that your insurance company has accepted responsibility for the accident. Some ADA’s want the insurance letter to state exactly how much has been paid to the other driver for their property damage and medical bills.

Can the DA give legal advice?

The DA represents the State which is prosecuting you and hence they are not allowed to give you legal advice of any kind. All of the following questions constitute legal advice and cannot be answered by the DA:

What is an ADA lawyer?

In some counties lawyers are able to obtain the best outcome by selecting a better Assistant District Attorney (“ADA”) to negotiate your ticket or simply knowing what to say that may result in a reduction.

What are North Carolina traffic violations?

North Carolina moving violations are serious offenses and the Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) does not take them lightly.

How to Dispute Traffic Citations in North Carolina

After motorists receive a traffic citation in NC, they may fight the traffic ticket in court if they do not intend to plead guilty to the violation or they may waive their right to appear in court and pay the fine. If motorists wish to dispute their traffic violation and plead “not guilty” to the offense, they must go to court to do so.

How North Carolina Traffic Ticket Defense Benefits You

After receiving traffic violations for offenses such as speeding, running a red light, or making an improper U-turn, motorists may hire an NC ticket lawyer to help them decide whether they should plead guilty to the offense or contest it.

How to Pay a Speeding Ticket in North Carolina

If drivers wish to plead guilty to a traffic violation, the DMV and the Chief District Court may allow them to waive their traffic offense and pay the fine without going to court. If drivers can waive their motor vehicle offense, the back of the citation will say so.

DO NOT JUST PAY THAT TRAFFIC TICKET!

Did you know that less than 5% of Americans challenge traffic tickets? Even though speeding tickets and traffic citations cost hundreds of dollars in obvious, up-front costs — and even more in insurance premium increases and points to your license — most people think it’s a “waste of time” to contest them. It’s not.

WHY IT IS WORTH IT TO CONTEST SPEEDING TICKETS

North Carolina traffic violations are expensive — they are much more costly than you probably realize. In addition to the average $100-$150 of the ticket itself, your ticket costs you hundreds, even thousands of dollars more in added insurance premiums.

TRAFFIC TICKET CASES ARE OFTEN DISMISSED

Paying your traffic citation through the mail is a guilty plea. Pleading guilty means you will be fined the maximum amount allowed by law. If you plead not guilty and you ask for a court date, you stand a very good chance of reducing your fine, reducing the points on your license, and protecting yourself from skyrocketing insurance rates.

What is a traffic ticket in North Carolina?

What is a traffic ticket? A traffic “ticket” is known formally as a citation. A citation is a document that informs people of the charges against them. It commands them to appear in court on a particular date. In North Carolina, traffic offenses are divided into several categories.

What is a citation in North Carolina?

A citation is a document that informs people of the charges against them. It commands them to appear in court on a particular date. In North Carolina, traffic offenses are divided into several categories. The first classification are infractions. These include minor speeding violations, and no proof of insurance.

What happens if you pay off a ticket?

When someone pays off a ticket, they are pleading guilty or responsible to the charge. The consequences of pleading guilty or responsible may be DMV points on your driving record and increased auto insurance rates. Depending on your driving record, it could also result in your driver’s license being revoked.

What happens if you don't appear in court?

In some cases, especially in misdemeanor traffic offenses, an Order for Arrest may be issued if you do not appear in court. This order will command all law enforcement agencies to arrest you upon contact. If you discover you missed your court date and have an active order for arrest, hire a lawyer.

What to do if you missed court date?

If you discover you missed your court date and have an active order for arrest, hire a lawyer. Your lawyer can often negotiate a recall of the order and the scheduling of a new court date. If you have questions about any area of the law call us at the Probst Law Firm at 336-721-9090 to see how we may be able to help you.

Can a driver's license be revoked?

Depending on your driving record, it could also result in your driver’s license being revoked. You should always consult an attorney before you decide to pay off a ticket. Even if you are guilty of the charge, an attorney can often negotiate a reduction of your charge with the District Attorney’s office.

Complete Ticket Form

Our online ticket form allows you to attach and submit your ticket to your Traffic Ticket Lawyer.

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Pay and you pretty much plead guilty. We fight a speeding tickets. Avoid points added to your driving record.

No Insurance

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No Drivers License

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Warrants

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Can you text while driving in North Carolina?

North Carolina’s distracted driving laws prohibit text ing while driving for all motorists and talking on a cellphone for underage motorists and school bus drivers. Type of Violation. Classification.

Can you drive without a license in North Carolina?

Driving Without a License. Generally, all North Carolina motorists must have a valid license in their possession while driving. However, there is a range of penalties depending on the circumstances of the violation. Violation. Classification. Fines. Jail Time. Points. Failure to have license in possession.

Do you have to come to a complete stop at a stop sign?

At a stop sign or stop light, motorists must come to a complete stop before the nearest of a marked stop line, entering the crosswalk, or entering the intersection itself. Right turns on red are allowed so long as the driver makes a complete stop first. Typically, stop sign and red light violations carry the same penalties.

Can you turn right on red?

Right turns on red are allowed so long as the driver makes a complete stop first. Typically, stop sign and red light violations carry the same penalties. Type of Violation. Classification. Fines. Points.

What is an absolute limit?

An absolute limit is just what it sounds like—the maximum speed a motorist can lawfully drive. The penalties for speeding citations vary depending on the speed, the location of the violation, and the driver’s record.

Can you have multiple court appearances for an accident?

Accident cases in particular often require multiple court appearances to allow your insurance company to resolve any outstanding claims as a result of the accident. Ideally, once all claims are finally resolved any moving violations can be dismissed upon presentation of a good insurance letter.

When a stop sign has been erected or installed at an intersection, it shall be unlawful for the driver of

​NCGS 20-158 (b) (1) states “When a stop sign has been erected or installed at an intersection, it shall be unlawful for the driver of any vehicle to fail to stop in obedience thereto and yield the right-of-way to vehicles operating on the designated main-traveled or through highway. When stop signs have been erected at three or more entrances to an intersection, the driver, after stopping in obedience thereto, may proceed with caution.”

Is North Carolina a contributory negligence state?

​North Carolina is a contributory negligence state meaning if any party Is fault they will not be able to recover in civil court. This can often make personal injury claims difficult to litigate as insurance companies generally raise contributory negligence as an affirmative defense. Perhaps this is part of the reason police are so quick to assign fault and issue a ticket even when they were not witness to the accident. As stated above the criminal citation often prompts insurance companies to accept liability and resolve the claims.

Why do you call 911 for a hit and run?

It is important to call 911 if you have been involved in accident and simply want to drive to a safe location before you pull over.

What is a good insurance letter?

Usually if you were at fault and your insurance company pay for any property damage or personal injury suffered by the other driver then your ticket can be dismissed with a good insurance letter? What is a good insurance letter? A good insurance letter generally states exactly how much has been paid and that all known claims have been settled.

Can you plead guilty to a car accident?

Car accident plead not guilty. Paying off any ticket is the same of pleading guilty as charged. This can result in admitting civil liability and therefore should be avoided at all costs until speaking with an experienced attorney or your insurance adjuster to confirm all claims have been settled.

What is NCGS 20-166?

​NCGS 20-166 (c) (1) allows for a driver to be charged with a misdemeanor for leaving the scene of an accident and not reporting said accident within a reasonable time.

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