This FAQ addresses common questions out-of-state drivers ask after receiving a speeding ticket in Charlotte. If you’ve received a citation and aren’t sure what to do next, call or text Powers Law Firm at 704-342-4357. The consultation is free of charge and we’d love to help!
Paying a speeding ticket in North Carolina is the same as pleading guilty or, in the case of infractions, accepting responsibility. That payment becomes a conviction. For tickets classified as "IF" (infraction), the court records a judgment of "responsible." For "CR" (criminal) traffic charges, and some infractions, the conviction is reported to the North Carolina Division of Motor Vehicles and often to your home state's DMV as well. Your insurance company may also use it to reevaluate your insurance rates. Even if the fine seems minor, the long-term impact on your license and insurance can be substantial. A speeding ticket is not like a parking ticket. Once you’ve paid it, you’ve closed off many options. That’s why it’s smart to talk to a Charlotte traffic lawyer before you take action.
It’s possible, if not likely for some traffic tickets. North Carolina shares traffic violation data with other states through the Driver License Compact. That means if you plead guilty or are convicted in Charlotte, your home state DMV might be notified. Your home state may assign license points or take additional administrative action based on its own laws. Don’t assume this stays local. Talk to a Charlotte lawyer. The consultation is free and we enjoy helping clients with tickets.
While there are some types of traffic tickets and citations that can be handled online, you may need to come back to Charlotte for certain “non-waivable” offenses (such as careless and reckless driving, driving in excess of 80mph, aggressive driving). North Carolina also allows a licensed attorney to appear in court on your behalf for some traffic violations, including many speeding offenses. If you’re cited in Mecklenburg County, our attorneys may be able to handle the hearing without you having to travel back to Charlotte. That saves time, avoids missed work, and simplifies the process. But don’t wait until the last minute. Give your lawyer time to evaluate the charge and prepare for court.
Traffic tickets (including speeding tickets, red light violations, unsafe movement) in Charlotte are handled at the Mecklenburg County Courthouse, located near uptown Charlotte. Specifically, “traffic court” appearances for speeding tickets and traffic violations are handled in Courtroom 1130 “administrative court.” There is no taking of testimony or evidence in Courtroom 1130. Police Officers do not appear in Courtroom 1130. It is not a trial court setting. That means if you want to challenge the ticket and take the matter to trial, the case will be transferred (continued) to a trial or dispositional setting on the fourth floor of the courthouse on a later date. Traffic court operates under the District Court Division and follows standard North Carolina procedures for infractions and criminal traffic charges. The volume is often extremely high, and while court staff do what they can to expedite the process, if you attend by yourself, there are often long lines and you may spend the better part of the morning (and possibly the day) seeking a resolution. Judges and prosecutors cannot provide legal advice. As local Charlotte attorneys who regularly appear in Courtroom 1130, it would be an honor to help explain your legal rights and options. Call Powers Law Firm now: 704-342-4357
North Carolina law treats high-speed violations seriously. And in Charlotte, for some very high speeds (such as 100 mph or over the limit) the District Attorney’s Office will not reduce the speed, amend the charge, or negotiate a dismissal allowing a plea to reckless driving. If you were clocked at more than 15 miles per hour over the posted limit and were traveling over 55 mph, or were driving over 80 mph regardless of the limit, you could be facing a potential license suspension under N.C.G.S. § 20-16.1. In some cases, that may later involve a DMV Revocation Hearing. That’s true even if you live in another state. High-speed violations and speed competitions are not something to resolve casually. Talk to a lawyer before you decide how to respond.
Maybe. Depending on the facts of your case, a reduction of your ticket might involve lowering the speed, amending the charge to a non-moving violation like improper equipment, or obtaining a Prayer for Judgment or “PJC” if you have a clean driving history. Some plea negotiations and reductions may involve completing a driving school course. Local practice matters, as does your prior history of tickets, driving school, and at-fault accidents for both you and those within your household and/or insurance policy.
It might. Even a reduced charge can appear on your driving record and trigger insurance consequences, depending on whether it’s reported to your home state and how your insurance company evaluates out-of-state violations. For example, some states and insurers do not treat improper equipment as a “moving offense” or moving violation. A lower speed on the record is often better than a high-speed conviction, but it’s not always enough to avoid premium increases.
If you miss your court date, the court may issue a Failure to Appear (FTA). That FTA is reported to the North Carolina DMV, which may then issue a revocation of your North Carolina driving privileges. As a result, your home state could suspend your license in response. You may also owe an expensive additional penalty. If you already missed court, you may still be able to reopen the case, but that’s more complicated than addressing it before the court date.
Hiring a lawyer isn’t required, but it’s often very helpful, especially for out of state drivers. Calling or texting a traffic lawyer in Charlotte and asking some basic background questions doesn’t obligate you to hire us. As local lawyers who regularly handle Charlotte NC and Mecklenburg County traffic cases, we can explain what’s typical, what the court expects, and what your real options may be. If you’ve been ticketed and you’re not sure what to do next, call or text Powers Law Firm at 704-342-4357.