Traffic Violations / Speeding Tickets

SpeedometerSpeeding tickets and other traffic related offenses may seem insignificant; however, depending on the violation and your driving history, something as simple as a “minor traffic ticket” can have major financial and driver’s license consequences, including higher insurance premiums, DMV points, and even the suspension or revocation of your driver’s license.

Even with a completely clean driving history, it is possible your license could be suspended based on just one ticket if the speed is high enough.
Simply mailing in a check with your traffic ticket or paying off your ticket online might seem like the honest, responsible thing to do. Mailing in your ticket with payment, however, is an automatic admission of guilt, and may result in driver’s license and insurance points and could cause you trouble in the future.

It is well worth taking a few minutes to speak with an experienced North Carolina traffic defense attorney who can review your personal driving history and determine what the best option is for you. You may have heard of things like a “PJC” or other reductions in charges that seemed to work fine for a friend or a neighbor, but that does not necessarily mean it is the best decision for you.

As a former Assistant District Attorney in both Cabarrus and Mecklenburg Counties, Attorney Ryan Watson has handled thousands of traffic related offenses offenses. If you have been cited or charged with a traffic offense, contact Ryan today. He will examine your driving history and determine what the best course of action is for you.

He defends clients charged with all types of traffic related offenses, including, but not limited to, the following:

  • Speeding Tickets
  • Reckless Driving
  • Exceeding a Safe Speed for Road conditions
  • Driving Without a License (“No Operator’s License,” or “NOL”)
  • Driving Without Insurance
  • Driving With a Suspended or Revoked License
  • Unsafe Lane Change / Illegal Turn
  • Speeding in a Work Zone
  • Failure to Stop for a Stop Sign or Red Light
  • Speeding in a School Zone
  • Expired Registration / Inspection
  • Window Tint Violations
  • Passing a Stopped School Bus
  • Hit and Run
  • Fleeing to Elude Arrest
  • Road Racing

Insurance Points

Pleading guilty to or being found guilty of traffic offenses can result in insurance points, which in turn may result in higher premiums for you in accordance with your personal driving history, your policy with your insurance company, and the “North Carolina Safe Driver Insurance Plan” (the “SDIP”).

NC Driver’s License (DMV) Points

North Carolina General Statutes 20-16 and 20-16.1 set forth a number of scenarios in which the NC – DMV has the authority to suspend a person’s Driver’s License. Included within NCGS 20-16 is also a “Schedule of Point Values” specifying how many points different offenses will cost you and your license.