If you were pulled over and issued a speeding ticket, you might consider just dealing with the consequences and paying the fine. Consulting an experienced traffic attorney who handles these matters on a regular basis, however, can increase the likelihood of a favorable outcome. Speeding convictions can have a wide range of collateral consequences that an experienced Elizabeth City speeding ticket lawyer can help you navigate.
Types of Speeding Tickets
There are various types of speeding tickets and related violations in North Carolina that an Elizabeth City attorney can help with. These typically include speeding above the speed limit, speeding in a school zone, or speeding in a construction zone. Sometimes drivers are charged with reckless driving due to excessive speed or the manner in which their driving puts the safety of others at risk.
Many tickets are infractions that carry fines and may also result in points on your driver’s license and higher insurance premiums. If you accumulate too many points on your record over a certain period of time, your license could be suspended.
Some speeding violations are criminal offenses that could possibly result in the imposition of fines, insurance points, and driver’s license points. In some circumstances, conviction also results in license suspension and potential jail time. Reckless driving, speeding in excess of 15 miles per hour over the speed limit, and speed competition are examples of speed-related violations that are classified as misdemeanors in North Carolina. The class 2 misdemeanor is punishable by up to 60 days in jail and the class 3 is punishable by up to 20 days in jail.
Defending a Speeding Ticket
A defense attorney in Elizabeth City can advise you about the likely consequences of a speeding conviction and offer specific advice that is tailored to meet your needs and promote your best interests.
For example, if you are charged with a misdemeanor speeding violation, it may be possible to present a case to get that reduced to an infraction, which carries considerably lighter penalties. It may also be possible to fight a speeding violation by showing that there was no speed limit posted in the area at the time or that the person charged with the violation was, in fact, not in control of the vehicle at the time of the accident.
In some cases, law enforcement’s radar gun may not have accurately measured the driver’s speed. The right strategy and available course of action will depend on the facts and details of the case. Getting legal help right away is key to ensuring that all plausible defenses are open to you.
Contact an Elizabeth City Speeding Ticket Attorney Today
Even a violation as seemingly minor as a speeding ticket can have an impact on your life. You could not only be forced to contend with jail time and financial penalties but also face points on your record that could put your driving privileges at risk. You may also have to pay more in insurance premiums, which can have a notable impact on your financial health as well.
An Elizabeth City speeding ticket lawyer can pursue a dismissal, reduction, or other favorable result. Call Parks Zeigler today for a free consultation to discuss your speeding ticket.
