North Carolina Traffic Lawyers

North Carolina uses a point system managed by the DMV to track driving violations. Points range from 1 to 5 depending on the offense. Speeding 10 mph or less over the limit adds 2 points, while speeding more than 55 mph adds 4 points. Reckless driving carries 4 points. Accumulating 12 points within a 3-year period results in mandatory license suspension. Drivers under 21 face suspension at just 8 points. Insurance companies also use these points to calculate premium surcharges, which can last 3 to 5 years.

A Prayer for Judgment Continued (PJC) is a unique North Carolina legal tool where the judge finds you guilty but does not enter a judgment of conviction. This means no points are added to your license for DMV purposes. However, insurance companies may still count a PJC as a conviction for rating purposes. Each household is generally limited to one PJC every 3 years for insurance purposes, and only two PJCs per household in a 5-year period. PJCs cannot be used for offenses involving more than 25 mph over the limit or for CDL holders. An experienced traffic attorney can advise whether a PJC is the best strategy for your specific situation.

Yes, you can lose your license for speeding in North Carolina in several ways. Speeding more than 15 mph over the limit when the speed limit is 55 mph or higher, or driving over 80 mph regardless of the speed limit, can result in license revocation. Accumulating 12 points from multiple speeding tickets within 3 years also triggers suspension. Additionally, failing to appear in court for a speeding ticket results in automatic license suspension. Our attorneys work to reduce charges, minimize points, and protect your driving privileges.

Driving without a license in North Carolina is a Class 2 misdemeanor if you never obtained a license, or a Class 3 misdemeanor if your license expired. Penalties can include fines up to $1,000 and up to 60 days in jail. Driving while your license is revoked is a Class 1 misdemeanor with mandatory jail time of up to 120 days. For non-citizens, a driving without license conviction can trigger immigration consequences including deportation proceedings. Our attorneys understand both the criminal and immigration implications and work to protect your interests on both fronts.

CDL holders face far stricter consequences under federal regulations. Two serious traffic violations within 3 years result in a 60-day CDL disqualification, and three serious violations lead to 120-day disqualification. Serious violations include speeding 15+ mph over the limit, reckless driving, improper lane changes, and following too closely. Certain offenses like leaving the scene of an accident, using a commercial vehicle in a felony, or driving a CMV with a BAC of 0.04 or higher can result in permanent CDL revocation. We have defended hundreds of CDL holders and understand how critical your commercial license is to your career and family.

Reckless driving in North Carolina is defined as driving carelessly and heedlessly in willful or wanton disregard of the rights or safety of others, or driving without due caution at a speed or in a manner so as to endanger persons or property. It is a Class 2 misdemeanor carrying up to 60 days in jail, fines, and 4 points on your license. A reckless driving conviction creates a permanent criminal record and significantly increases insurance rates. Our attorneys often negotiate reckless driving charges down to lesser offenses like improper equipment to protect your record.

If you left the scene of an accident, contact an attorney immediately before speaking with police. Hit and run involving property damage is a Class 1 misdemeanor, while hit and run causing serious injury or death is a felony carrying up to 4 years in prison. North Carolina law requires you to stop, provide your information, and render aid. The penalties increase dramatically if there are injuries. An experienced traffic defense attorney can help you navigate the legal process, potentially negotiate reduced charges, and protect your rights throughout the case.

In many cases, yes. An attorney can appear on your behalf in North Carolina traffic court, meaning you do not have to miss work or travel to the courthouse. Your attorney can negotiate with prosecutors, present defenses such as radar calibration issues or procedural errors, and work to get charges reduced or dismissed. At Vasquez Law Firm, we handle traffic cases in courts across North Carolina from our offices in Charlotte, Raleigh, and Smithfield. Call 1-844-967-3536 for a consultation to discuss your options.