Should you get a lawyer for a traffic ticket?
I received a traffic ticket in North Carolina - 71 in a 55 in May. I live in Alabama. This is my second traffic ticket within 6 months. My other ticket was in Alabama which I have already paid. I am a full time graduate student so of course like many others - no money. I am aware that my insurance will go up.
Should I hire a lawyer to represent me in NC? Will I loose my drivers license? Do you absoloutley have to wait unitl your court date of can you meet with the DA before to go ahead and get this resolved? I am confused as to what will happen to me since I from out-of state.
Thanks in advance for your responses.
Re: NC Traffic Ticket - Lawyer or not?
Some states don't connect with others dealing with points. You should call both states asking if Alabama residents get points from speeding in North Carolina. If they do not connect with points, just pay the ticket without driving there. I would try and keep my record clean as possible if I was a graduating student. Call your insurance company also and ask an agent if you will have to pay more if the states do not connect in points. You might just get points in North Carolina, not raising the surcharge on your Alabama insurance.
If you can not afford 100% percent right now, try paying them in thirds/quarters, but don't take a long time to finish. There may be a small fee. Call the city you got the ticket from and ask how long they will give you.
If you perfer to drive there and try to fight it, you will not have to hire an attorney because it is not major, only a second ticket in 6 months. Speak with the District Attorney instead. Explain you are a graduate to see if he will give you a break.
P.S. Get a radar detector.
Re: NC Traffic Ticket - Lawyer or not?
Alabama and North Carolina do exchange information about tickets and driver's license suspensions. Some states limit the manner in which they assess points for out-of-state tickets, but I don't see an indication that Alabama does so - you can check with the state DPS. You can review Alabama's point system here.
In terms of extra time to pay fines, in my experience it's a case of "You can ask, but you won't necessarily get the time", and that you can often get the best deals (e.g., dismissal upon payment of a fine) by being prepared to pay off the court's assessments. Local law and procedure can vary.
Re: NC Traffic Ticket - Lawyer or not?
You should be able to go in and talk to the ADA and get the ticket reduced to a 64 in a 55. You do not have to wait until your court date. My information is that NC will not report a 9mph ticket to Alabama but check with the NC court to be sure.