After Receiving a Traffic Ticket, Do You Really Need A Lawyer?

The benefits of obtaining a lawyer for a traffic violation substantially outweigh the risks of not having one.  Even a simple speeding ticket can carry serious consequences, not to mention, dealing with a traffic or speeding ticket can be an inconvenient and expensive hassle.  It could cause you to miss school, work, or other obligations when an experienced attorney can handle the ticket without you having to even appear in court.

Parton Buckingham, PLLC saves their clients money by working with the District Attorney to have the charges against them reduced or dismissed. A knowledgeable and experienced attorney will know the North Carolina traffic and insurance laws and best be able to assist you with your ticket. The lawyers at Parton Buckingham, PLLC will negotiate with the State of North Carolina in an honest effort to obtain the best possible resolution for your speeding or traffic ticket.  It is in your best interest to obtain a proficient criminal lawyer to help you through the legal process.

In North Carolina, simply just paying the fine is equivalent to pleading guilty. Or, if you are found guilty of a traffic infraction or misdemeanor, you will likely receive driver’s license points, insurance points, and/or insurance rate increases. Driver’s license points could lead to the suspension of your license and insurance points could lead to an increase in your insurance payments.


Common driver’s license point penalties are:  

Conviction                                                         Point Values 
Aggressive driving                                                       5 
Passing a stopped school bus with children                5 
Reckless driving                                                           4 
Tailgating                                                                     4 
Illegal Passing                                                              4 
Running through a stop sign                                        3 
Speeding more than 55 mph                                        3 
Expired or no drivers license                                        3 
Speeding through safety zone                                      3 
Littering involving a motor vehicle                                 1 


Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) 
If you have a CDL and receive a traffic violation then the points assigned to that conviction will likely increase.  
Insurance Points: In North Carolina, insurance companies follow the Safe Driver Incentive Plan (SDIP).  

Drivers who are convicted of moving traffic violations and/or who cause accidents will be charged higher premiums in accordance with their driving records.  SDIP points are charged as follows for convictions and at-fault accidents during a three-year period:  

Points          Percentage Increase 

1                           30% 
2                           45% 
3                           60% 
4                           80% 
5                           110% 
6                           135% 
7                           165% 
8                           195% 
9                           225% 
10                         260% 
11                         300% 
12                         340% 

Insurance Points Offenses:  Here are some of the offenses North Carolina has listed as causes for an insured to receive insurance points. 

12 Points   

• Manslaughter or negligent homicide resulting from the operation of a motor vehicle 
• Prearranged highway racing or knowingly lending a motor vehicle to be used in a prearranged race
• Hit and run resulting in bodily injury or death 
• Driving with a blood-alcohol level of .08 or more 
• Driving a commercial vehicle with a blood-alcohol level of .04 or more 
• Driving While Impaired 
• Transporting illegal intoxicating liquors for sale 

10 Points 

• Highway racing or lending a car for highway racing 
• Speeding to elude arrest 

8 Points 

• Operating a motor vehicle during a period of revocation or the driver’s license or vehicle registration.
• Aggressive driving  

4 Points

• Reckless driving
• Hit and run resulting in property damage only 
• Passing a stopped school bus 
• Speeding in excess of 75 mph when posted limit is less that 70 mph
• Speeding in excess of 80 mph when posted limit is 70 mph or greater
• Driving by a person under 21 after consuming alcohol or drugs 

3 Points 

• Each at-fault accident that results in bodily injury (in excess of $1,8000.00) or total property damage (including the 

insured’s property) of $3,000.00 

2 Points 

• Illegal passing
• Speeding more than 10 mph over the limit, if total speed was in excess of 55 mph but less than 76 mph
• Speeding 10 miles or less in excess of a speed zone of 55 mph or greater
• Following too closely 
• Driving on the wrong side of the road 
• Each at-fault accident that results in total damage to all property, which is in excess of $1,800.00 less than $3,000.00 

1 Point 

• Speeding 10 mph or less in excess of speed limit of less than 55 mph* 
• Each at-fault accident that results in total damage of $1,800.00 less* 
• Any other moving violation
  ** Points are not assigned for these violations unless the same driver has been convicted of at least one other moving violation during the experience period (the last three years).

0 Points 

• Speeding 10 mph or less in excess over the posted speed limit provided the violation did not occur in a school zone 
  and there is not another moving violation for the experience period (an isolated PJC will not count as a prior conviction 
  for the purpose of this exception) 
  
  Feel free to contact us at 704-376-4488 or kaltenbach@partonbuckingham.com and let us help you understand the law and how it may apply to you. The attorneys at Parton & Associates, PLLC welcome the  opportunity to work with you and assist you during this process.

-- Chad Buckingham, Senior Partner

Photo courtesy of FreeDigitalPhotos.net; Gravr Razvan Ionut

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