A traffic ticket can be a serious offense in North Carolina, costing you time and money.

Attorneys, like the lawyers of Thomas, Ferguson & Mullins, LLP can make sure your legal rights are protected and ensure the best possible outcome for your case.

Having an attorney involved in your traffic ticket case can help you with some of the following questions:

·     Were you actually at fault?

·     Were proper procedures followed during your traffic stop?

·     Were there circumstances which might cause the traffic ticket to be reduced or dismissed?

·     Can this ticket revoke my license?

·     What will be the effects of a conviction on my insurance and driving record?

Types of Traffic Tickets & Points Assessed by the North Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles:

Your traffic ticket may be for one of the following violations, and you will be assessed the associated points by the North Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles.

·     5 Points: Passing a school bus which had stopped for children.

·     4 Points: Reckless driving; Hit and run; Following too closely; Driving on the wrong side of the road; Illegal passing.

·     3 Points: Running through a stop sign; Speeding in excess of 55 miles per hour; Failing to yield right-of-way; Running through a red light; No driver's license or license expired more than one year; Failure to stop for siren; Driving through safety zone; No liability insurance; Failure to report accident where such a report is required; Speeding in a school zone in excess of the posted school zone speed limit.

·     2 Points: Failure to properly restrain a child in a restraint or seat belt.

·     1 Point: Littering involving use of motor vehicle.

·     0 Points: Seat belt violation; Improper equipment/plates/registration/muffler.

SDIP: The State of North Carolina Department of Insurance Points

In addition to Department of Motor Vehicle Points, the State of North Carolina Safe Driver Incentive Plan (SDIP) records a different set of points, effecting insurance premiums. There are some exemptions based on certain conditions. Consulting an attorney, like the lawyers at Thomas, Ferguson & Mullins, LLP can help you determine if you qualify for exemptions.

·     12 Points: Manslaughter or negligent homicide; Pre-arranged highway racing or lending a car for pre-arranged highway racing; 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 impared; Transporting illegal intoxicating liquor for sale.

·     10 Points: Highway racing or lending a car for highway racing; Speeding to elude arrest.

·     8 Points: Driving during revocation or suspension of license or 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 the speed limit is less than70 mph; Speeding in excess of 80 mph when the speed limit is 70 mph or greater; Driving by a person less than age 21 after consuming alcohol or drugs.

·     3 Points: At-fault accident resulting in death or bodily injury* (to all persons) in excess of $1,800; OR resulting in total property damage (including damage to insured's own property) of $3,000 or more.

·     2 Points: Illegal passing; Following too closely; Driving on the wrong side of the road; At-fault accidents resulting in total property damage (including damage to insured's own property) in excess of $1,800 but less than $3,000; Speeding more than 10 mph over the speed limit provided the total speed is in excess of 55 mph but less than 76 mph; Speeding 10 mph or less in excess of speeding zone of 55 mph or greater.

·     1 Point: All other moving violations; At-fault accident resulting in bodily injury* (to all persons) of $1,800 or less, OR resulting in property damage (including damage to insured's own property) of $1,800 or less; Speeding 10 mph or less in excess of speed limit less than 55 mph.

*No insurance points will apply for bodily injury if the injured furnishes proof that the medical costs were incurred solely for diagnostic purposes.


Conclusion:

Whether your traffic ticket is minor or serious, your attorney at Thomas, Ferguson & Mullins, LLP can ensure that your rights are protected throughout the process. Call us at 919-682-5648 or use the contact-us form at the right hand side of the page to discuss your particular circumstances.