Southport Speeding Ticket lawyer

Southport Speeding Ticket Attorney

Every driver in North Carolina is expected to follow the rules of the road at all times, and speeding is one of the most commonly cited traffic violations in the state. While it may seem relatively common to see other drivers slightly exceeding posted speed limits while driving in the Southport area, this is never a good idea. Speeding is not only dangerous for the driver and everyone around them but also illegal. The state enforces an “absolute” speed limit law, meaning that it’s possible to receive a ticket even if you were only driving one mile per hour over the speed limit.

Helping Southport Clients Fight Speeding Tickets

If you recently received a speeding ticket in NC, do not assume you can pay the fine and be done with the issue. Most drivers are not fully aware of all the effects this can have, failing to understand that paying the fine is equivalent to admitting fault. Speeding and other traffic violations accumulate demerit points on your driver’s license. Over time, too many points will lead to suspension or revocation of your license. Additionally, you could face various financial penalties as well.

Christina Rivenbark & Associates can provide the comprehensive legal representation you need if you intend to fight your recently issued speeding ticket. You may have more defenses available than you initially realize, and the right legal team on your side can make a tremendous difference in the outcome of your case.

Potential Effects of a Speeding Ticket

The usual penalty for a speeding ticket is a small fine. When you are issued a speeding ticket, it will have instructions for paying the fine or contesting the ticket. Remember that if you pay the fine, this is admitting fault, and you will automatically incur all associated penalties for doing so. If you decide to fight the ticket, you will need to prepare for a traffic court hearing. Likewise, if you were charged with reckless driving for a severe speeding offense, you will need to prepare for criminal court proceedings.

Admitting fault for a speeding offense will not only carry the initial financial penalty of the fine but also cause you to incur demerit points on your driver’s license. If you acquire too many demerit points in a short time, your license will be revoked. Additionally, your auto insurance premium rate may increase in response to your ticket. If your insurance carrier sees you as a greater risk, they will increase your premium or potentially drop you from their coverage.

Preparing for Traffic Court

When you fight a speeding ticket in North Carolina, you must inform the traffic court of your intent to challenge the ticket, and a hearing will be scheduled. While you can attempt to explain your side of the situation on your own, having a Southport speeding ticket attorney help you will dramatically improve your chances of reaching a positive outcome. You will likely face the officer who issued your ticket. They will need to explain how they captured your speed and confirmed the speeding offense in question. If they did not use an appropriate method to assess your speed, this could be enough to have your case dismissed.

The attorneys at Christina Rivenbark & Associates have years of experience helping clients through their traffic court hearings. We will review the details of your traffic stop and help you determine whether it would be in your best interests to challenge the ticket. Traffic court is not as demanding as criminal court, but it is still best to have legal representation you can trust if you want to reach the best possible result.

FAQs About Southport, NC Speeding Ticket law

Should I Hire a Lawyer for a Speeding Ticket in Southport?

While it isn’t strictly required for you to hire legal representation when you intend to fight a speeding ticket, the right attorney can have a significant impact on the outcome of your efforts. Traffic court may not be as daunting as criminal court, but trustworthy legal counsel on your side makes fighting your ticket much easier and more likely to generate positive results.

How Much Does an Attorney Cost to Fight a Speeding Ticket in North Carolina?

Most attorneys who offer representation in traffic court will bill their clients by the hour. The more time they need to spend working on a case, the more it costs the client. If you choose Christina Rivenbark & Associates to represent you in these efforts, we will carefully review our billing policy, so you will know exactly what our legal services will cost.

Can You Go to Jail for Speeding?

Most speeding offenses in the state will lead to traffic tickets. However, North Carolina considers speeding 15 mph or more over a speed limit under 55 mph a reckless driving offense. This is a Class 2 misdemeanor that can lead to up to 60 days in county jail, along with a fine of up to $1,000 and four demerit points on your driver’s license. If you speed over 55 mph, you could face an automatic 30-day driver’s license suspension.

What Happens if the Police Officer Doesn’t Show up to Traffic Court?

It’s possible that if you appear in traffic court to fight your ticket, the officer who issued the ticket may not be available to appear as well. In this situation, your attorney has a greater chance of making a compelling argument against the ticket, and your chances of avoiding the penalty for the ticket are significantly increased. However, it is unwise to expect that your case will simply be dismissed if the police officer does not appear in traffic court, and you should prepare a compelling argument.

Ultimately, the right Southport speeding ticket attorney can potentially help you avoid the various penalties you could face for a speeding ticket. Christina Rivenbark & Associates can provide the comprehensive legal representation you need in this situation, helping you avoid tarnishing your driving record and minimizing the long-term penalties that a ticket may entail. Contact us today to schedule a consultation with an experienced Southport speeding ticket attorney and learn more about the legal services we offer.