The Hidden Costs of a Traffic Ticket: Why Fighting Matters

If you’re like many North Carolina residents, you might not think it’s a big deal to get a speeding ticket or other traffic citation. However, you could experience many hidden costs you may not know about if you just plead guilty and pay the fine. Let our experienced Charlotte traffic ticket lawyers at Browning & Long, PLLC, help you fight your speeding ticket or other traffic violation to help you avoid these expensive burdens you could have to pay for years after your case is resolved. 

Why You Need to Fight a Speeding Ticket and Other Traffic Violations

If you’re issued a citation in Mecklenburg County or elsewhere in the state, don’t make the mistake of assuming it’s no big deal. It could have many long-term consequences.

Here are some of the hidden expenses our experienced traffic ticket lawyers can help you avoid:

• Fines and costs. You might have to pay hefty fines and court costs if you’re convicted of a traffic violation in North Carolina. For example, you could be responsible for fines up to $250 and an additional $250 in court costs if you plead guilty to speeding or other infractions.
• Time off work. You must attend a mandatory court hearing for most traffic tickets unless it’s for a minor violation like a broken tail light. This means you’ll possibly lose employment income. 
• Driver’s license points. The North Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles will access points on your driving record if you’re convicted of a traffic violation. These points can range from one to five points depending on the conviction.
• Driver’s license suspension. If you’re convicted of some misdemeanor traffic offenses—such as speeding 15 mph over the speed limit, traveling over 55 mph, or driving in excess of 80 mph—your license might be suspended. Additionally, your license could be suspended if you acquire too many points over a relatively short period of time.
• Increased insurance costs. If you’re convicted of a traffic offense, you’ll also acquire insurance points that can significantly increase your auto insurance premiums. This hidden cost can affect you for years to come. For example, a one-point assessment can spike your premiums by as much as 30 percent, and a three-point assessment can cost you up to 60 percent more.

Why It’s Worth the Cost to Hire Our Charlotte Traffic Ticket Lawyers

If you received a traffic ticket, you may be reluctant to hire an attorney due to the initial costs. However, at Browning & Long, PLLC, our knowledgeable traffic ticket attorneys can save you money and help you avoid some of the ramifications of a traffic ticket conviction. As former prosecutors, we understand how to fight the charges connected to your traffic ticket violations. Here are the many ways we can assist you:

• Raise your defenses. Even if you believe you’re guilty of a traffic offense, you may have strong defenses we can use to support your case. For example, the police may not have been justified in pulling you over, which could result in the ticket being dismissed.
• Attend your court hearings. We’ll be with you at all court hearings. In some cases, we may be able to appear on your behalf so you don’t have to take time off work.
• Request a Prayer for Judgment Continued. Throughout your traffic ticket case, our legal team explains your options so you can make the right choice for your situation. One might be to request a Prayer for Judgment Continued (PJC). While you would be pleading guilty, the judge won’t enter a judgment against you. As a result, you won’t have points assessed against your driver’s license, and your insurance premiums won’t go up.
• Enter into a plea agreement. We might also use key defenses and mitigating factors, such as you attending traffic school, to convince the prosecutor to reduce your charges to a minor traffic infraction through a plea bargain.
• Try your case. If it’s in your best interests, we’ll try your case at a trial before the judge. However, most traffic ticket cases are resolved before they go to trial.