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Speeding Ticket and Excessive Speeding Laws – NC DMV Suspensions and Hearings

While most traffic tickets in North Carolina do not result in an administrative suspension or revocation by DMV, there are times when an accumulation of points or multiple traffic citations over a short period of time, may cause problems with your license.

"The NC traffic laws regarding license points, or what our traffic lawyers refer to as DMV points, are relatively complicated. You don't have to be a bad person or Public Enemy #1 to have problems with DMV." - Bill Powers

Traffic Officer In some measure this is due to traffic statistics in North Carolina and the correlation between highway fatalities and traffic tickets.

North Carolina Vehicle Accidents / Crash Datum:

  • 1,441 fatalities in North Carolina in 2016
  • 130,000 Injuries
  • Almost 260,000 Reported Crashes
  • 94 % of accidents involved residents of North Carolina
  • Out-of-state drivers accounted to 7.2 percent of fatalities
  • Almost 3/4ths of all accidents took place during daylight hours (7:00 a.m. until 7:00 p.m.)
  • For every 100,000 people on NC roadways, 14 people are killed
  • 1/3 of all accidents resulting in fatalities involved speeding

MORE INFO: NC TRAFFIC CRASH STATISTICS

Road Work Ahead sign At Powers Law Firm PA we take the time to explain the differences between insurance points in North Carolina and DMV or license points. To be sure, there are similarities. Some citations carry the same points to your insurance in North Carolina and your driver's license.

That's why it helps to have an experienced defense lawyer on your side, guiding you through the process. Most traffic lawyers in North Carolina provide a consultation free of charge. It costs nothing to call an attorney, ask questions, and see what they may be able to do to help.

What Is the Difference Between a License Suspension and a License Revocation?

Traffic There are technical differences between a "License Suspension" and a "License Revocation" in North Carolina. Defense attorneys and even NC DMV tend to use the terms interchangeably.

An easy way to think about it is this:

A license suspension is said to "temporary." Your North Carolina driver's license remains in effect. "S" for suspension or "Some Time" or "Something to be done."

A license revocation in North Carolina is just that, your license is revoked. "R" for "Revoked" or "Rats, I need to go to DMV."

You essentially start over and "re-apply" for a license through the North Carolina Department of Transportation (DOT) / Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV).

What Are the Most Common Ways Your License Is Revoked or Suspended in North Carolina?

Two of the more common reasons for suspension are:

  • License Suspensions due to excessive speed
  • License Suspensions due to too many tickets over a certain period of time

Can I Lose My License Even if I Have a Perfect Record?

Yes, there are some traffic citations that require loss of license in North Carolina. They include, but are not limited to:

What Are My Options If I Got a Traffic Ticket In North Carolina? What Happens If I Pay My Ticket?

Pay the Traffic Ticket / Negotiate a Plea / Plead Guilty / Plead "Responsible" to Infraction:

  • "Plea Bargain" to "Lesser Included Offense"
  • Costs of Court
  • Fines
  • Possible Insurance Points
  • Possible Motor Vehicle (DMV) License Points
More info about: Difference Between Insurance and License Points in NC

Fight the Traffic Citation

  • Plead Not Guilty / Plead Not Responsible for Traffic Infraction
  • Potentially lose option to Plea Bargain
  • Take Traffic Ticket to Trial
  • Represent Yourself at Trial / "Pro Se" stands for "For Himself"
  • Retain Traffic Ticket Lawyer / Legal Representation
  • If convicted, seek minimal fines, costs, and conditions of a judgment
  • Request a Prayer for Judgment Continued (PJC) if eligible
  • If Guilty, pay Costs of Court, Fines
  • If Guilty, possible Driver's License Points and possible Insurance Points
  • If Guilty, possible imposition of additional terms of Judgment - Community Service and Driving School

CLICK HERE: Fighting My Traffic Ticket – What are my options?

How Do Lawyers Help With DMV Hearings and License Suspensions in North Carolina?

Driving services center Heading to a DMV hearing after receiving a North Carolina traffic citation (or multiple traffic tickets over time) can be an intimidating experience.

If you don't know much about how the DMV legal system works, you will likely be at a tremendous disadvantage.

"Many people fail to realize the Hearing Officer at NC DMV, the person who decides what will happen to your license, is also the prosecutor. They are given a tremendous amount of discretion in determining your fate and your ability to drive."

People don't always understand the importance of having a valid driver's license in North Carolina. If you can't drive legally, it makes it hard to find and keep a good job. If you choose to drive while your license is suspended or revoked, the chances of having more and more serious problems increases exponentially.

LEARN MORE: Why it's a REALLY bad idea to drive while license revoked in North Carolina

The traffic lawyers at our law firm are experienced in handling both traffic tickets in court, as well as providing legal representation at DMV appeals, DMV hearings, and DMV restoration hearings.

What may have worked for a friend or family member may have no relevance to your traffic ticket or NC driver license. It seems easy until you're sitting in court or at the DMV Office, waiting to have your case called.

What Can I Expect at a DMV Traffic Court Hearing?

Traffic law hearings can be complicated, even for attorneys with substantial experience.

Too many motorists, trying to go the DYI route, find themselves waiting in court or DMV, not knowing what to do. When you consider the expense and hassle of missing work, driving to DMV, and waiting to be called, it doesn't take long to realize this: Hiring a lawyer often makes good financial sense.

And what happens if things don't go well in court or at the DMV hearing?

Speeding, reckless driving, aggressive driving, and running a stop sign or a red light, are all violations that have the potential to lead to points being assessed on a driver's license.

How Can a Traffic Court Lawyer Help?

In addition to providing reliable legal advice about insurance points, DMV points, and the costs of certain citations, Traffic Lawyers provide peace of mind.

Let our defense lawyers lift the burden of going to court from your shoulders. If you have a DMV restoration hearing, we'll help prepare the materials necessary and stand literally side-by-side with you when appearing in front of the NC DMV Hearing Officer.

Now is the time to call.

We're here to help. We offer a free consultation. If we think you can handle a traffic citation by yourself and that makes sense, we'll tell you. If we think we can help or that you'd be better served with legal representation, we will tell you that as well.

Call NOW: 704-342-4357

Client Reviews
★★★★★
I am so fortunate to have had Bill Powers on my case. Upon our first meeting, Bill insisted that through the emotions of anger, sadness, confusion, and betrayal that I remain resilient. He was available to answer questions with researched, logical, truthful answers throughout our two year stretch together... J.R.
★★★★★
Bill Powers and his firm were a true blessing. If anyone is contacting an attorney, it's more than likely not from a positive life experience. If there was a rating for "bedside manner" for lawyers he'd get a 10/10 for that as well. The entire staff were helpful... K.C.
★★★★★
Bill Powers’ staff has handled several traffic citations for me over the years, and they exceeded my expectations each and every time. Would highly recommend anyone faced with a traffic citation or court case contact his office and they will handle it from there. M.C.
★★★★★
Bill and his staff are flat out great. I (unfortunately) was a repeat customer after a string of tickets. These guys not only took care of the initial ticket for me, but went the extra mile and reduced my problems from 3 to just 1 (very minor one) on the same day I called back! I would recommend them to anyone. A.R.