North Carolina Traffic Tickets Questions & Answers
Q: The person I hit called the cops after we exchanged information and now I’m getting a ticket!
Amanda Bowden Houser's answer
Yes, it can. Which is why you should have called to police yourself at the scene. If the FRSAA is all you get charged with it will likely get dismissed if you can show proof that your insurance company covered the other person's damage. In the future - trust no one.
Yes, it can. Which is why you should have called to police yourself at the scene. If the FRSAA is all you get charged with it will likely get dismissed if you can show proof that your insurance company covered the other person's damage. In the future - trust no one.
Q: I don’t have money to pay a lawyer and it’s my first ticket should I ask for a PCJ?
Amanda Bowden Houser's answer
Most traffic tickets can be resolved for as little as $338 which isn't much more than paying the ticket off and some attorneys will let you take 3 to 4 months maybe a bit more to pay in payments so it isn't so much coming out of your budget all at once - you won't get a deal like that from the court. As to the PJC that is likely a bad idea wasting it on a 59/45 and you need to know what the Judge who hears your cases wants in order to consider granting it. A PJC is at a Judge's discretion -...
Most traffic tickets can be resolved for as little as $338 which isn't much more than paying the ticket off and some attorneys will let you take 3 to 4 months maybe a bit more to pay in payments so it isn't so much coming out of your budget all at once - you won't get a deal like that from the court. As to the PJC that is likely a bad idea wasting it on a 59/45 and you need to know what the Judge who hears your cases wants in order to consider granting it. A PJC is at a Judge's discretion -...
Q: My court date is at the same time as my annual work performance review and I'm not allowed to take it off.
Amanda Bowden Houser's answer
You hire a traffic attorney. It's what you should do even if you didn't have a performance review.
You hire a traffic attorney. It's what you should do even if you didn't have a performance review.
Q: Most likely outcome?
1 Answer
| Asked
in
Traffic Tickets and Car Accidents
for
North Carolina
on
Answered on Dec 12, 2018
Answered on Dec 12, 2018
Amanda Bowden Houser's answer
If you can prove your version of the events. You should be found not guilty. I get most charges of failure to report dismissed because the charging officer jumped the gun and charged within the 24 hour period. As to paying for the damages - the owner has a civil remedy for that.
If you can prove your version of the events. You should be found not guilty. I get most charges of failure to report dismissed because the charging officer jumped the gun and charged within the 24 hour period. As to paying for the damages - the owner has a civil remedy for that.
Q: Can I stand on a median or freeway exit a with sign?
1 Answer
| Asked
in
Traffic Tickets, Civil Rights and Constitutional Law
for
North Carolina
on
Answered on Dec 6, 2018
Answered on Dec 6, 2018
Amanda Bowden Houser's answer
This is the first amendment: Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances. There is nothing in there that gives you the right to beg for money (panhandling). Wanna hold a sign somewhere, go hold a sign somewhere - wanna beg for money especially aggressively and you...
This is the first amendment: Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances. There is nothing in there that gives you the right to beg for money (panhandling). Wanna hold a sign somewhere, go hold a sign somewhere - wanna beg for money especially aggressively and you...
Q: AD, days prior to PCS from Ft Bragg,NC to Ft Lewis,WA, spdg ticket (64/45) by MP, court required? Do I have to fly back
Amanda Bowden Houser's answer
Call a local traffic law attorney who can represent you on base or refer you to someone who can - it is likely you may be able to take care of the ticket without having to appear. Best of luck.
Call a local traffic law attorney who can represent you on base or refer you to someone who can - it is likely you may be able to take care of the ticket without having to appear. Best of luck.
Q: I got speeding ticket for 50 over 35 limit but my GPS was showing 45 limit and not 35 limit.
Amanda Bowden Houser's answer
Sure, but not with your GPS screenshot. Besides if you admit to going 50, even if it were 45 - you were still speeding. Do you think you get a 5mph over grace limit? You don't. Just hire a local traffic attorney. If the address on your ticket is correct you will be getting a crap ton of letters from local attorneys. You do not nee F. Lee Bailey for a 50/35 so just pick the cheapest one and roll with that. And in the future pay attention to the speed limit signs, not your GPS - they are...
Sure, but not with your GPS screenshot. Besides if you admit to going 50, even if it were 45 - you were still speeding. Do you think you get a 5mph over grace limit? You don't. Just hire a local traffic attorney. If the address on your ticket is correct you will be getting a crap ton of letters from local attorneys. You do not nee F. Lee Bailey for a 50/35 so just pick the cheapest one and roll with that. And in the future pay attention to the speed limit signs, not your GPS - they are...
Q: Dismissal of citation for multiple errors
Amanda Bowden Houser's answer
Errors on a citation normally do not result in a dismissal - the ADA can simply amend the citation. Also speeding is a non-intent infraction or crime - it makes no difference whatsoever that he was unaware he was speeding or unfamiliar with the area. So what he needs to do is hire a local traffic attorney. He doesn't need F. Lee Bailey for a traffic ticket, so just find the cheapest one and roll with that. It will likely be my firm. We charge a flat rate total fee of $363 to have a charge...
Errors on a citation normally do not result in a dismissal - the ADA can simply amend the citation. Also speeding is a non-intent infraction or crime - it makes no difference whatsoever that he was unaware he was speeding or unfamiliar with the area. So what he needs to do is hire a local traffic attorney. He doesn't need F. Lee Bailey for a traffic ticket, so just find the cheapest one and roll with that. It will likely be my firm. We charge a flat rate total fee of $363 to have a charge...
Q: My dog was hurt when a car hit him and I was given a ticket while speeding to get to the vet. Is this something I can
Amanda Bowden Houser's answer
Of course not. You admit you were speeding - what's to fight? Or do you think there is an exception they forgot to mention to you when you were learning to drive that allows you to break the law because your dog is hurt? There isn't. Just hire a local traffic attorney. If your address is correct on your ticket, you will get a crap ton of letters from attorney's. You don't need F. Lee Bailey for a traffic ticket so pick the cheapest one and roll with that. Best of luck.
Of course not. You admit you were speeding - what's to fight? Or do you think there is an exception they forgot to mention to you when you were learning to drive that allows you to break the law because your dog is hurt? There isn't. Just hire a local traffic attorney. If your address is correct on your ticket, you will get a crap ton of letters from attorney's. You don't need F. Lee Bailey for a traffic ticket so pick the cheapest one and roll with that. Best of luck.
Q: Is it legal to drive straight through an intersection if you are in a lane marked with an arrow that points only left?
Amanda Bowden Houser's answer
No, of course not. Unless there has been a DOT mistake, if it is possible / legal to go straight, there will be a separate lane(s) for that or the lane will be marked with an arrow going straight combined with a left turn arrow. If the lane is marked only with an arrow for a left turn and you go straight from that lane, you have likely committed several infractions and possibly some criminal traffic violations. Improper lane use is likely. Maybe unsafe movement. Possibly careless and...
No, of course not. Unless there has been a DOT mistake, if it is possible / legal to go straight, there will be a separate lane(s) for that or the lane will be marked with an arrow going straight combined with a left turn arrow. If the lane is marked only with an arrow for a left turn and you go straight from that lane, you have likely committed several infractions and possibly some criminal traffic violations. Improper lane use is likely. Maybe unsafe movement. Possibly careless and...
Q: I recently got a speeding ticket of going 95 in a 60 as well as a misdemeanor charge of reckless driving.
Amanda Bowden Houser's answer
Actually both charges are misdemeanors. If convicted as charged, your license will be suspended if you are licensed in NC and if not, your privilege to drive in NC will be suspended and likely your home state DMV notified and they will likely suspend you, your insurance will likely go up - dramatically, there will be court cost and possibly fines, likely of at least $188 but very likely way more and you could potentially face jail time. As to what you should do, first and foremost don't...
Actually both charges are misdemeanors. If convicted as charged, your license will be suspended if you are licensed in NC and if not, your privilege to drive in NC will be suspended and likely your home state DMV notified and they will likely suspend you, your insurance will likely go up - dramatically, there will be court cost and possibly fines, likely of at least $188 but very likely way more and you could potentially face jail time. As to what you should do, first and foremost don't...
Q: Do I need a lawyer for a seatbelt violation in a window tint violation or can I just make payments on the fine
Daniel P Leavitt's answer
You will want to call around for a NC lawyer as every attorney is different on how they take payments. Some do partial payments and some don't.
You will want to call around for a NC lawyer as every attorney is different on how they take payments. Some do partial payments and some don't.
Q: Is it okay if I check waze while I'm driving?
Daniel P Leavitt's answer
Every state has different laws on what you can and cannot do. Checking Waze often falls into a gray area where you can be careless by taking your attention off the road so check with a NC lawyer who can advise you and probably get more specific information about your case.
Every state has different laws on what you can and cannot do. Checking Waze often falls into a gray area where you can be careless by taking your attention off the road so check with a NC lawyer who can advise you and probably get more specific information about your case.
Q: In North Carolina I git ticket for driving 81 on 55 limit. I am in GA itvsays that it is mandatory court appearance.
Amanda Bowden Houser's answer
Yes, you need an attorney. Yes, it can likely be reduced. No, the slope of a mountain is not why you were going 81/55. If the address on your ticket is correct, you will likely get letters from local traffic attorneys. Pick one. Please don't tell waste their time with the mountain slope excuse. Best of luck.
Yes, you need an attorney. Yes, it can likely be reduced. No, the slope of a mountain is not why you were going 81/55. If the address on your ticket is correct, you will likely get letters from local traffic attorneys. Pick one. Please don't tell waste their time with the mountain slope excuse. Best of luck.
Q: 18 yr old with no previous ticket... received a ticket going 71 in a 55 zone... would I need an attorney for this?
Amanda Bowden Houser's answer
Need is often a subjective term. No, you likely don't 'need' an attorney but it would be a really, really good idea. If your address is correct on the ticket, you will likely get a crap ton of letters from traffic attorneys. You definitely don't need F. Lee Bailey for a mere 71/55 so just pick the cheapest one and roll with that.
Need is often a subjective term. No, you likely don't 'need' an attorney but it would be a really, really good idea. If your address is correct on the ticket, you will likely get a crap ton of letters from traffic attorneys. You definitely don't need F. Lee Bailey for a mere 71/55 so just pick the cheapest one and roll with that.
Q: Hi I am 17 years old with a first time citation for driving 95 mph what should I do?
Amanda Bowden Houser's answer
You need an attorney. Assuming the charge of 95 was in a 70, that's 25 over and you are at the threshold of where just one more mile would have put you in an incredibly bad spot. Likely a PJC may be the best way to go if your attorney can convince a judge to give it to such a young driver but there may be other options. If your address on the ticket is correct you will likely be getting a crap ton of letters from local traffic attorneys. Normally I say pick the cheapest one but in your case...
You need an attorney. Assuming the charge of 95 was in a 70, that's 25 over and you are at the threshold of where just one more mile would have put you in an incredibly bad spot. Likely a PJC may be the best way to go if your attorney can convince a judge to give it to such a young driver but there may be other options. If your address on the ticket is correct you will likely be getting a crap ton of letters from local traffic attorneys. Normally I say pick the cheapest one but in your case...
Q: Is the printed on ticket the time of violation or time the ticket was printed. For instance school zone infraction
Amanda Bowden Houser's answer
If it was a white printed ticket, the time the ticket was printed does not appear on the ticket. The time shown on the ticket should be the time of the offense. So if as you state, the school zone started at 7:25am and the time on your ticket was written as the offense having occurred at 7:30am then the officer is alleging you were within the time frame that the school zone was in effect. Unless of course the school zone ended at 7:29 am (and a 4 minute school zone period would be highly...
If it was a white printed ticket, the time the ticket was printed does not appear on the ticket. The time shown on the ticket should be the time of the offense. So if as you state, the school zone started at 7:25am and the time on your ticket was written as the offense having occurred at 7:30am then the officer is alleging you were within the time frame that the school zone was in effect. Unless of course the school zone ended at 7:29 am (and a 4 minute school zone period would be highly...
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