North Carolina Traffic Violations Lawyer

Driving offenses in North Carolina can be classified in one of three categories and rely on a driving point system. These points accumulate over time, and if you accumulate more than 12 points in three years, your driver’s license may face suspension. Driving offenses are classified in the following categories: 

• Infraction: An infraction is for traffic violations that result in tickets such as speeding or running a stop sign. If you are convicted of an infraction, you can expect to pay fine and court fees. 
• Misdemeanor: A misdemeanor offense is a minor crime conviction, which may lead to your arrest and up to 60 days in jail in addition to fines and court costs. Offenses like DWIs, leaving the scene of an accident, and reckless driving are all misdemeanor crimes.
• Felony: A felony offense is a serious crime conviction, which may lead to prison incarceration up to one year as well as high fines and court costs. Felony offenses include hit-and-runs, vehicular manslaughter, and habitual DUI/DWI. 

North Carolina’s driving point system assigns a numerical value to traffic offenses on a person’s driving record. The more serious the traffic violation is, the more weight the points carry and the more it tarnishes your driving record. There are specific penalties for an accumulation of points. The following is the North Carolina point system for traffic violations:

• One-point: Littering from a motor vehicle
• Two-point: Failure to restrain a child with a seat belt and other moving violations 
• Three-point: Running a stop sign or red light, speeding over 55 mph, failure to yield, driving with no license or expired license, failure to stop for an emergency vehicle, driving through a safety zone, driving with no insurance, failure to report an accident, speeding in a school zone 
• Four-point: Reckless driving, hit and run (property damage), following too closely, driving on the wrong side of the road, illegal passing, failure to yield right of way to a pedestrian, failure to yield right of way to a bicycle or motorcycle
• Five-point: Aggressive driving and passing a stopped school bus 

If you accumulate up to seven points, you may be court-ordered to take a driving course. Upon completion of the driving course, three points may be deducted from your driving record. The fee for attending a driving course is $65. 

Speak with a seasoned North Carolina traffic violation lawyer for guidance surrounding your case and to build a strategic defense to protect your driving privileges and driving record.