“I lost my carry concealed permit due to the misapplication of the law by law enforcement. My guns were taken from my home, and my permit was suspended. Thank you Thom Goolsby for standing up for the Second Amendment and my gun rights. You corrected the mistake of law enforcement, and I got my permit back. I appreciate your skill and advocacy.”
CALL US: 910-262-7401
Traffic Violations
WILMINGTON, NC TRAFFIC OFFENSE ATTORNEY
The last thing drivers want to see is flashing blue lights behind them. Sometimes, you may drive away with a warning. However, more often than not, if an officer thinks that you committed a traffic violation, you will be ticketed. Traffic tickets mean inconvenience, added expense, and other consequences, such as increased insurance rates, points on your driving record, and possible license suspension.
Whether you receive a speeding ticket or are charged with something more serious, such as driving while your license is revoked or careless and reckless driving, the best thing to do is to contact a traffic offense attorney right away. By speaking with a
defense lawyer, you can learn more about what you are facing. You can also discuss how to improve your situation, the possibilities of defending yourself, and the likelihood of having the ticket dismissed in court.
Do Not Pay Off that Ticket!
Attorney Thom Goolsby knows what it is like to deal with North Carolina traffic tickets and is happy to help with yours. Attorney Goolsby is in court most days, but if you call
910-262-7401, send a text, or
contact us online, he’ll be in touch as soon as possible to set up a free, initial consultation.
THE LEVELS OF TRAFFIC OFFENSES IN NC
In North Carolina, there are significant differences between a traffic infraction and a misdemeanor traffic offense. Traffic infractions are relatively straightforward violations, typically resolved with a fine and court cost. However, you may also be penalized with insurance points that drive up your rates, as well as driver’s license points that could cause your license to be suspended or revoked.
You have the option to pay traffic infraction court costs and fine right away. However, this is the same as pleading GUILTY. If you pay the court costs and fine, you are accepting all of the consequences: points on your insurance and license, as well as increased insurance premiums.
Misdemeanor traffic offenses are much more serious. Misdemeanor traffic offenses are CRIMES. A common example is a careless and reckless driving charge. You can face incarceration, probation, community service, driving school, court costs, fines, loss of your driving privilege, insurance increases, license points, and more. These are not the types of charges you should risk handling by yourself in traffic court. You need to talk with an experienced traffic offense attorney about the best defensive strategy to avoid a conviction.
TRAFFIC OFFENSES WE DEFEND AGAINST
At Goolsby Law Firm, we handle all types of traffic tickets and driving offenses, including:
TESTIMONIALS
“Thank you Thom Goolsby for helping me with my case. I heard that you were a super attorney, and I heard right! Thank you for your attention to detail and for helping me with this important matter. Your office was always available to assist me, and your care and concern meant a great deal to me. If I ever need an attorney again, you will be the first person that I call.”
Personal Injury Client
“Thank you for walking me through the process for getting my open container and underage possession of alcohol charges dismissed. You arranged for a very simple deferred prosecution. It was easy to comply, and my record is now clean. I appreciate your excellent help!”
Criminal Defense Client
CONSEQUENCES OF TRAFFIC OFFENSES
If you are found guilty of a traffic infraction or accept responsibility by paying the ticket, you will have to pay the prescribed fine, court costs, and other fees. You will have insurance and driver’s license points assigned to your record and the offense will be part of your permanent record with the North Carolina Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV).
Depending on the factors involved and your driving record, your license may also be suspended or revoked.
If the offense was a misdemeanor, you face more than fines and suspension. You could be held in custody and/or required to serve probation.
Depending on the class of misdemeanor and your prior convictions, you may face days, weeks, or months in jail.
- Class A1 misdemeanor: 1-60, 1-75, or 1-150 days
- Class 1 misdemeanor: 1-45, 1-45, 1-120 days
- Class 2 misdemeanor: 1-30, 1-45, 1-60 days
- Class 3 misdemeanor: 1-10 or fine only, 1-15 days or fine only, 1-20 days
There are also collateral consequences to consider. Businesses will see a traffic misdemeanor on a background check. This can impact your ability to get a job, rent an apartment, or be approved for a loan.
Traffic offenses also will lead to higher auto insurance premiums. Under North Carolina’s Safe Driver Incentive Plan, a traffic offense results in SDIP points, which increase insurance rates.
- Speeding 10 mph or less over the limit: 1 SDIP point and a 30% rate increase
- Speeding more than 10 mph over the limit: 2 SDIP points and a 45% rate increase
- At-fault accident causing death or total bodily injury of more than $1,800: 3 SDIP points and a 60% rate increase
- Reckless driving: 4 SDIP points and an 80% rate increase
- Driving on a revoked or suspended license: 8 SDIP points and a 195% rate increase
- Speed contests: 10 SDIP points and a 260% rate increase
- Hit and run resulting in bodily injury or death: 12 SDIP points and a 340% rate increase
LICENSE REVOCATIONS AND SUSPENSIONS
A suspension is the temporary loss of your driving privileges for a specific period. Your license can be reinstated once the suspension period is over and you complete any terms of the suspension. You also must pay a fee and provide proof of insurance.
A revocation means your driving privileges have been terminated. You can only apply for reinstatement once you meet the eligibility requirements and you may be required to attend a hearing with the DMV.
In North Carolina, you can lose your license for various reasons. Certain traffic offenses, such DWI, require your license be suspended or revoked for a period of time. Likewise, if you accumulate too many driver’s license points, you will receive notice of a suspension.
If you are facing a driver’s license suspension or revocation and you wish to try and get your license back, talk with traffic offense attorney Thom Goolsby about your options.
GET BACK ON THE ROAD: CONTACT A TRAFFIC LAWYER
Many people think the best way to deal with a ticket it is to pay the court cost and fine and move on, especially if you can avoid going to court. However, by doing so you are pleading guilty to the offense and will automatically receive the maximum insurance and driver’s license points. Instead of blindly paying off your ticket, we recommend talking with Attorney Thom Goolsby.
Fighting a ticket now can save you hundreds of dollars in court costs, fines, fees, and higher insurance premiums. Call us today at 910-356-8361, send a text, or contact us online. We will get back with soon and help you deal with your ticket.
GOOLSBY LAW FIRM CASE RESULTS
CHARGES DISMISSED IN DRIVING-RELATED CASE When a Goolsby Law Firm client was charged with hit and run and failure to maintain lane control, she knew they needed attorney Thom Goolsby’s help. To make the situation more complicated, the failure to maintain lane control charge allegedly caused property damage to another vehicle. As Attorney Goolsby got to work putting together a defense for the client, she denied driving carelessly and recklessly. With his skill set put to good use, Attorney Goolsby had both of her charges dismissed. As a result, no license points were assessed to the client’s insurance. A conviction for careless and reckless driving carries four points and could result in an 80% increase in rates for three full years.
MULTIPLE DRIVING-RELATED CHARGES DISMISSED When a local woman was charged with careless and reckless driving and a window tint violation, she reached out to Goolsby Law Firm for help. After swiftly getting involved in the case and negotiating on his client’s behalf, Attorney Thom Goolsby was able to have both charges dismissed. As a result, no license points were assessed to the client’s insurance. A conviction for careless and reckless driving carries four points and could result in an 80% increase in rates for three full years.
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CONTACT GOOLSBY LAW FIRM TODAY
Like any quality criminal defense attorney, Thom Goolsby may be in court when you first call, but leave a voice mail or send a text. We’ll get with you as soon as possible, so we can go over what happened, evaluate the case, and explain what comes next.