Surf City Speeding Ticket lawyer

Surf City Speeding Ticket Attorney

Many drivers in the Surf City area are issued speeding tickets, and most make the mistake of assuming they can simply pay the associated fines and forget about these incidents. Unfortunately, the truth of this type of situation is that when you pay a speeding ticket fine, you are admitting guilt for the speeding offense, and the penalties are likely to exceed the fine itself.

Helping Surf City Drivers Fight Speeding Tickets in Traffic Court

A Surf City speeding ticket attorney is the ideal resource to consult if you are issued a speeding ticket in the area, and consulting legal counsel as soon as possible after the issuing of your ticket offers the best chance of avoiding the often-overlooked penalties that a speeding offense carries. Beyond the initial fine, you could also face demerit points on your driver’s license and increased insurance premiums.

Christina Rivenbark & Associates has years of experience representing clients in Surf City and surrounding communities in traffic court. Do not make the mistake of assuming that paying your speeding ticket fine settles the matter, as you could face additional penalties that are not immediately obvious. When you choose our firm to handle your defense, we will do everything we can to help you avoid the penalties associated with your speeding ticket.

Understanding the Penalties for Speeding Tickets

North Carolina enforces strict penalties for speeding offenses based on the severity of an offense. While most speeding offenses qualify as infractions, it’s possible for a driver to face a misdemeanor charge for excessive speeding. When a police officer catches a speeding driver, they will issue a ticket, and the driver may either pay the fine and admit fault or fight the ticket in traffic court. If you are issued a ticket, the ticket itself will include instructions for setting a hearing to contest the ticket.

If you decide to fight the ticket, you must schedule a hearing with the traffic court, and you will face a traffic court judge as well as the police officer who issued the ticket. The officer will explain their reasoning for issuing the ticket, including how they measured your speed. It is possible that the police officer who issued your ticket will not appear in court, but do not take this to mean you automatically win your case. Your Surf City speeding ticket attorney will carefully explain your legal options in this situation and help you formulate the best possible strategy.

If you pay the fine for your ticket, you are admitting fault and accepting all associated penalties, some of which may not be immediately obvious. For example, speeding will lead to demerit points on your driver’s license, and if you accumulate 12 points within a three-year period, you could lose your license. Additionally, your auto insurance carrier may increase your premium rate. Therefore, rather than simply paying the fine and admitting fault, it’s best to consult a Surf City speeding ticket attorney as soon as possible to determine whether you have any chance of having the ticket dismissed.

FAQs About  Surf City, NC Traffic Ticket Law

How Do I Get a Speeding Ticket Dismissed in North Carolina?

It’s possible to have your speeding ticket dismissed if you can prove the ticket was issued erroneously in any way. Your Surf City speeding ticket attorney can review the police report of the ticketing, examine the paperwork prepared by the police, and review your own account of the traffic stop to determine whether the police followed appropriate procedures in issuing the ticket.

Are There Different Types of Speeding Tickets?

The state enforces absolute speed limits, so driving over the speed limit in any measure is grounds for a ticket. However, North Carolina does prosecute excessive speeding as a misdemeanor. Therefore, if you are caught driving more than 15 mph over the posted speed limit, this offense qualifies as a Class 3 misdemeanor, and you will face much harsher penalties and more points on your license than you would for a standard speeding offense.

Do You Have to Go to Traffic Court to Fight a Speeding Ticket?

If you decide to contest your recently issued speeding ticket, you must have a traffic court date set and appear before a traffic court judge. You will likely confront the officer who issued your ticket, and they will explain their justification for issuing the ticket. Your Surf City speeding ticket attorney will help you compile contradictory evidence and/or other justification for seeking a reduced penalty or dismissed ticket. If you intend to fight your ticket, you must prepare for a traffic court hearing.

How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Surf City Speeding Ticket Attorney?

Most attorneys who represent clients in traffic court will charge by the hour. The longer they spend working on the client’s case, the more it costs the client in legal fees. Discuss billing with a prospective attorney, so you fully understand their policy, preventing any unwanted surprises from arising regarding the cost of their legal representation.

Is It Worth Fighting a Speeding Ticket in North Carolina?

While you might think the cost of hiring a Surf City speeding ticket attorney would be too much and that paying the fine for your ticket would be a more feasible option, it’s vital to consider the additional penalties you will face aside from your fine. For example, if your auto insurance premium increases or you lose your driver’s license, this can create an immense financial problem for you and your family. Therefore, it’s always worth fighting a speeding ticket with the help of an experienced Surf City speeding ticket attorney to avoid the long-term impact of the offense if at all possible.

Contact Our Firm Today

The attorneys at Christina Rivenbark & Associates have years of professional experience handling a wide range of traffic court cases for our clients in the Surf City area, and we have successfully helped many past clients avoid the penalties associated with speeding tickets issued by local police. If you believe your recent speeding ticket was issued unfairly for any reason, it is essential to have legal counsel you can trust on your side as you enter traffic court proceedings. Contact our firm today to schedule a consultation with an experienced Surf City speeding ticket attorney.