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Are All Raleigh, NC Traffic Tickets Public Record?

Maybe you were speeding, buzzed through a stop sign, or made an illegal left turn somewhere while in an unfamiliar area. However, it happened, you find yourself with a traffic ticket.

It might seem like a small thing, but Raleigh, NC traffic tickets can add points to your driving record. Enough points can suspend your license. But are they public record that anyone can find?

A Ticket Is A Court Case

Police officer pulling a blue car over on the side of the road to give them Raleigh, NC traffic tickets.Anytime you’re issued a traffic ticket, you’re given a court date to appear. You can hire a traffic ticket attorney and have them take care of it. This, of course, is depending on the charge and severity. For instance, running a stop sign is not as severe as a DUI or vehicular manslaughter, for which you will be required to go to court, and possibly spend time in jail. But they will all have a court date.

A “waivable” traffic ticket is one you can pay the fine for and be done with it. This means that you’ll waive your right to trial, plead guilty, and accept the points and or other consequences of that ticket. This only applies to charges like minor traffic and equipment violations, not something more serious like DUI.

Can Anybody Find My Ticket?

Yes, but it’s not as easy as you think.

Only someone who has a “vested interest” can find your Raleigh, NC traffic tickets upon request, if they have the required information needed to find it. These individuals must agree to the website’s terms of service.

Anyone requesting the information online will be required to read and certify:

I certify under penalty of law that I am entitled to personal information from the requested driving record under one or more of the permissible uses listed in the federal Driver Privacy Protection Act.*

I am aware that there are federal criminal and civil penalties for knowingly obtaining, disclosing or using this personal information for a purpose not permitted under DPPA (18 U.S.C. Sections 2721-2724).

I also understand that North Carolina G.S. 20-43.1 prohibits someone from obtaining personal information from a driver record by purposely or knowingly misrepresenting his or her identity or the use for which he or she is seeking that information. Anyone who does so may be charged with felony tampering with a public record.

While your personal information (name, address, etc.) are not publicly available under Chapter 123, Section 2721 of the U.S. Code (Driver Privacy Protection Act), and N.C. G.S. 20-43.1, some parties and/or entities can access your driving record (including personal information), some personal information may be disclosed upon request. They include:

  • You, the driver, to receive your own driving record
  • Insurance companies, for rating or underwriting, claims, and anti-fraud activities
  • Employers to verify information for commercial drivers’ licenses
  • Private toll operations, to identify drivers
  • To notify owners of towed or impounded vehicles
  • In the course of normal business (conditions apply)

The entire list of interested parties who can access your driving record can be found on North Carolina’s DOT website.

Caveat—Lawyer Advertising

The NC Department of Public Safety states on its website that if you receive an unsolicited letter from an attorney offering help with your traffic ticket, it’s the result of getting your name from the Clerk of Superior Court, and has nothing to do with the officer who issued it.

Need Help With Raleigh, NC Traffic Tickets?

If you’ve received a traffic ticket and would like to learn more about your options, contact our offices any time or call 919-832-0307. Dewey P. Brinkley is Raleigh’s leading traffic ticket attorney, and can help neutralize the effects of traffic tickets on your driving record.