Paying Off Your NC Traffic Ticket?

Very rarely do I tell a potential client that it’s OK to just pay off a traffic ticket they’ve received in North Carolina. But sometimes it happens, so I thought I’d remind my lovely audience about when that might be OK.

If you get JUST a seat belt ticket (NO OTHER CHARGES – JUST THE SEAT BELT!) then you might as well pay that off. This is not a moving violation and won’t increase your insurance rates. In most counties that I serve, even an attorney won’t be able to get the case dismissed. Moreover, the cost of the ticket will probably be less than hiring an attorney, who might not be able to help you in the first place. So take that into account.

If you are charged with speeding 10 mph over the limit (NO MORE!) AND you DO NOT have any other convictions of moving violations within 3 years of this one, then you can pay off that ticket. You won’t get insurance points (these exist, but are waived under a NC law) so your rates won’t increase. BUT, if you get convicted of a moving violation within three years of paying that one off, then you will not only get the points from the subsequent ticket, you’ll “awaken” the points from the previous one! That’s a gamble, and it might not be a good one, depending on how you drive. Normally, especially in the counties I serve, hiring an attorney is probably worth the cost given the likelihood of the reduction s/he can obtain for you. But that’s a judgment call.

That’s it. Those are probably the only times I’d say paying off a ticket makes some sense. But as always, I think it makes sense to talk with a lawyer about your particular situation before you take any action. Call me at 919-929-2992.