I currently offer traffic and DWI representation in the following counties: Orange, Chatham, Durham, Wake, Vance, Granville, and Warren. I represent clients in these counties most frequently, but would gladly discuss with you any charges pending in other North Carolina counties. If I cannot assist you, I would be glad to refer you to someone.
Traffic tickets are not the harmless slips of pink paper that they seem to be. Often times, we are told by law enforcement officers or acquaintances to simply pay off these tickets without fear of the consequences.
Paying off these tickets results in a guilty plea to whatever offenses you are charged with, which will undoubtedly result in DMV and Insurance points. Just one point on your insurance causes a premium increase of 25%! Four points would mean an increase of 90%! Moreover, many of the speeding offenses individuals are frequently charged with have license revocation penalties as well. If you get a ticket, it is very important that you contact an attorney immediately before simply mailing in your payment.
Certainly you could appear in court on your own and attempt to dispose of the charges against you. Statistically, however, defendants who retain a lawyer to represent them in traffic issues obtain more favorable outcomes. What a lawyer offers you is two things: 1) convenience and 2)advocacy.
If you hope to achieve a better disposition of your charges by a court appearance, it will mean taking a day off of work, sitting in the court room waiting for your name to be called, and submitting yourself to a -hostile environment that you are likely to be unfamiliar with. In most cases, a lawyer with a written waiver of appearance can appear in court on your behalf, saving you the time and stress of wasting a day in court.
More importantly, a lawyer is your advocate. A lawyer knows the law and is familiar with the workings of court. Hiring a lawyer shows the Assistant District Attorney that you are serious about the charges against you and that you and your attorney may be willing to try your case. The Assistant District Attorney most likely has between 200 and 800 more cases just like yours to deal with that day, and would prefer not to have to try the case, which would put him or her dreadfully behind in their duties. This gives the State an incentive to reduce the charges against you, perhaps to a more reasonable charge which all parties can live with, and with your attorney's knowledge of the law, he or she can help get the disposition that is best for you in the circumstances.
This of course is an excellent question. You will undoubtedly get numerous letters in the mail from lawyers offering their assistance. Feel free to check into their prices first and then give me a call. In most circumstances, I can offer comparable fees as well as service you can depend on. I will gladly explain to you the charges you have, their consequences, and likely plea negotiations, so that you can make an informed decision as to what to do about your ticket.
Driving While Impaired charges offer even more complications to the lives of those charged. There are many intricate complexities of the law in this arena, which are better navigated by someone trained and experienced in doing so.
When charged, you immediately lose your license for thirty days. An attorney can help you by obtaining a limited driving privilege for you, so that you can get on with your day to day activities. If you are convicted, you stand to lose your license for at least one year; depending on the circumstances, a lawyer may be able to help you obtain a limited driving privilege for that entire period.
If you are charged with a DWI, you should contact an attorney immediately.