Winston-Salem Traffic Lawyer

Traffic offenses are not as clear-cut as being pulled over, pleading guilty, and paying the fine. Not all traffic offenses are considered equal. There are times when it may even make sense to challenge what you may think is a routine traffic charge.

When you have been pulled over for a traffic offense, you should never make any assumptions without knowing your options and the impacts that a conviction may have on you. Before you mail a check or make any decisions, you should consult with an experienced Winston-Salem traffic lawyer. What you may think is something routine could cost your license in the long run. You may even end up in jail because of a traffic charge.

The first question that someone always asks is whether it is worth it to fight a traffic ticket or pay it off. Even paying off a traffic ticket can have collateral consequences for you. If you are convicted of a traffic violation, it will remain with you on your driving record for three years. The effects can build up the more times you are convicted of traffic violations. Call our seasoned criminal defense lawyers to learn more.

There is no question that you need an attorney when you are facing misdemeanor and felony charges. You should strongly consider hiring a traffic lawyer in Winston-Salem even when you have been cited for an infraction.

Many moving violations will be assigned points when you are convicted of them. In North Carolina, you will lose your driver’s license if you accumulate 12 points on your license over a three-year span.

For any traffic offense, law enforcement must still try to convict you of the offense. Although most traffic offenses will be tried in traffic court directly, you can still come with a lawyer and have your side of the story heard. The officer needs to show up to testify.

In traffic court, the officer will give their version of what they saw. Remember that the officer has their one day in traffic court, and they may be testifying about dozens of different traffic cases in short order. You may have an opening to challenge the charge. However, you cannot just give a blanket statement that you did not do it or that the officer was wrong. Doing so will not work. Instead, you must have something to back up your own claim of innocence.

If you have received a speeding ticket in Winston-Salem, or the surrounding counties, you may be wondering if you should hire a traffic attorney or pay it off and move on with your everyday life. Deciding whether to pay it off or contest it in court depends on several factors. Here are some things to keep in mind:

1. Points on your Driving Record: Accumulating too many points can lead to, in some cases, license suspension.
2. Higher Insurance Rates: Points on your driving record can lead to higher premiums.
3. Long-Term Impact: Points can stay on your driving record for years.
4. Legal Defenses: Contesting a speeding ticket gives you the opportunity to present your case in court. Depending on the circumstances, you may have a valid defense that could result in dismissed or reduced charges.
5. Traffic School: In some cases, attending Traffic School can be an option to mitigate the impact of a speeding ticket.