Wilmington, North Carolina, Traffic Violation Defense
Traffic violations may not carry the same implications as other criminal charges, but repeat offenses can result in significant fines, revoked driving privileges and greatly increased auto insurance rates. Disputing traffic offenses often leads to their dismissal or to less serious consequences, limiting the impact on your life and finances.
At the Wilmington, North Carolina, law offices of Rountree, Losee & Baldwin L.L.P., we do not take the consequences of traffic tickets lightly. If you are concerned about the effect a traffic violation could have on your driver's license or auto insurance premiums, contact one of our knowledgeable lawyers.
Our law firm represents North Carolina drivers as well as out of state clients and those with commercial licenses, disputing traffic violations such as:
- Speeding ticket
- Reckless driving
- Driver negligence/failure to have control of your car
- Driving with a suspended or revoked license
- No Operator License
- Out of state client
- Drunk driving (DWI)
- Other traffic tickets
North Carolina DMV rules are complex, involving an intricate point system. Most drivers represent themselves and simply pay the ticket, without realizing the consequences that may result:
- Paying a speeding ticket is an admission of guilt and you will pay the price.
- Traffic tickets can cost thousands of dollars in fines and insurance costs, as well as loss of the privilege to drive.
- Representing oneself can result in extensive time away from work.
Safe Driver Incentive Plan (SDIP) Points |
Convictions and At-Fault Accidents |
|
12
|
Manslaughter or negligent homicide
Prearranged highway racing or lending a car for prearranged highway racing
Hit-and-run resulting in bodily injury or death
Driving with a blood-alcohol level of .08 or more
Driving commercial vehicle with a blood-alcohol level of .04 or more
Driving while impaired
Transporting illegal intoxicating liquor for sale
|
|
10
|
Highway racing or lending a car for highway racing
Speeding to elude arrest
|
|
8
|
Driving during revocation or suspension of license or registration
Aggressive driving
|
|
4
|
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 than 70 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
|
At-fault accident resulting in death, or total 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
|
Illegal passing
Following too closely
Driving on wrong side of the road
At-fault accident 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 speed zone of 55 mph or greater
|
|
1
|
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 of less than 55 mph
|
|
0
|
No Insurance points will apply for bodily injury if the insured furnishes proof that the medical
costs were incurred solely for diagnostic purposes.
|
Insurance Points Will Cost You Money
| Points |
% of Rate Increase |
Cost if Basic Rate is $300 |
Points |
% of Rate Increase |
Cost if Basic Rate is $300 |
| 1 |
25% |
$375 |
7 |
160% |
$780 |
| 2 |
45% |
$435 |
8 |
190% |
$870 |
| 3 |
60% |
$480 |
9 |
225% |
$975 |
| 4 |
80% |
$540 |
10 |
260% |
$1,080 |
| 5 |
105% |
$615 |
11 |
300% |
$1,200 |
| 6 |
130% |
$690 |
12 |
340% |
$1,320 |
Most speeding tickets can be resolved in ways which do not affect insurance rates or result in forfeiture of your driver's license, such as:
- Dismissal;
- Reduction;
- Participation in the Defensive Driving School; or
- Prayor for Judgement (PJC).
Don't just pay your ticket, we'll fight for you. To avoid a revoked license, excessive costs, drastic increases to insurance rates and other consequences of a speeding ticket, contact Rountree, Losee and Baldwin.
Disputing Your Ticket
Whether you are a Wilmington-area resident or a tourist, we can often resolve your case without you appearing in court. Even if a hearing should be necessary, we may be able to represent your interests without your needing to be present, sparing you the hassle of having to miss work or return to our area.
At Rountree, Losee & Baldwin L.L.P., our goal is to minimize or eliminate the negative impact a traffic violation can have on your driving record. We invite you to contact us to discuss your defense options.
