Q: I got a speeding ticket when I am Travelling from NC to VA on driving speed 82 in 70 area i-85 brunswick county VA

A: Yes, you need to hire an attorney but you need to hire a Virginia Traffic Attorney. You do not need F. Lee Bailey for a traffic ticket so just go with the cheapest one you can find. As to how you can dismiss your ticket - you can't, you don't have that authority and the DA is likely not going to be inclined to dismiss it either but they may reduce it for you if you hire an attorney.

A: GREAT QUESTION

1. Yes, retain an attorney, especially if you're a North Carolina license-holder. If convicted and reported back to NC, that would result in a revocation/suspension. It also could include some pretty heft increased insurance premiums.

SEE the Interstate Compact: http://apps.csg.org/ncic/Compact.aspx?id=56 North Carolina is a participating state. Virginia appears to be as well.

The general rule at NCDMV is we generally give full-faith-and-credit on out of state tickets. If it had happened in North Carolina and would result in a revocation/suspension, that likely will apply to out of state tickets.

EACH CASE IS DIFFERENT and the traffic laws in NC are notorious complex. Seek legal counsel immediately. Here's some general information about the NC TRAFFIC LAWS: https://www.carolinaattorneys.com/speeding-ticket-and-excessive-speeding-laws.html

2. While understandable, as most people clearly prefer to have charges dismissed, that is by no means a foregone conclusion. Lack of prior record, at least in North Carolina, isn't necessarily a legal basis for a dismissal. That doesn't mean one should not otherwise seek to limit, if not eliminate insurance and/or motor vehicle points if at all possible.

3. And as much as I respect Ms. Houser, I frankly disagree in this instance with the "go the cheapest" option. I believe with regard to legal services, like many other things in life, you get what you pay for.

Bill Powers

Charlotte Criminal Defense Lawyer / Traffic