NC Traffic Law Blog

Should You Hire an Attorney for Your Ticket?

If you’ve received a traffic ticket in North Carolina, you’re probably wondering what all of your options are and whether hiring an attorney is really worth it. While it’s tempting to simply pay the fine and move on, paying it off can have long-term consequences. In many cases, hiring an attorney is a smart investment that can protect your driving record, minimize or avoid insurance rate increases, and save you money.

Possible Consequences of a Ticket

North Carolina has strict traffic laws, and a single conviction can result in points on your license, increased insurance premiums, or even license suspension—especially if you have prior violations on your record or hold a commercial driver’s license (CDL). Some offenses, such as speeding more than 15 mph over the limit or reckless driving, are misdemeanors that carry criminal penalties if plead guilty to. A traffic attorney understands the legal system, knows how to negotiate with prosecutors, and can often reduce or eliminate the impact of your citation.

Advantages of an Attorney

One major advantage of hiring a traffic attorney is that they can often go to court on your behalf, so you don’t have to appear. This is particularly valuable if you live out of town, have a busy schedule, or find the idea of appearing in front of a District Attorney intimidating. Additionally, attorneys can often negotiate plea deals that reduce charges to non-moving violations, which carry fewer or no license points and may not affect your insurance rates.

An experienced North Carolina traffic lawyer will also understand how your ticket interacts with DMV rules and insurance point systems. They can help you avoid pitfalls such as unknowingly pleading guilty to an offense that triggers a suspension or significant insurance hike.

Costs

You may be thinking “a lawyer sounds great, but I don’t know if I can afford it.” The fact is, the cost of an attorney is often less than the cumulative cost of insurance increases. Meaning in many cases you will actually save money in the long term by hiring an attorney instead of paying off your ticket. At iTicket.law, the cost of representation for most standard traffic cases starts between $99-$119.

Conclusion

Overall, the most important thing to do before taking steps to handle your ticket is to know what your options are. Talking with a law office about what they might be able to do with your case is a great place to start for most people, whether they are leaning towards hiring a lawyer or not. Still have questions about what your options for your traffic ticket are? Feel free to give us a call at (919) 200-0822 to speak with one of our legal assistants today!