Raleigh Traffic Tickets and Violations Attorney
For most people, traffic tickets are a minor annoyance that costs money and gets in the way. Some drivers just pay them just to get rid of them, because they believe it’s not worth the hassle to fight a ticket. That’s not always the best way to handle a traffic ticket, especially one for speeding or other charges.
Even a seemingly minor ticket like running a stop sign can add points to your license that could lead to higher insurance rates. Let those points add up, and you could find your license suspended. What will you do if you are suddenly unable to drive? What if you need your license to go to work every day, or if driving is part of your job?
Paying your ticket is like saying, “yes, I’m guilty.” You’re giving up your right to defense, risking an insurance rate hike and another point or two. If your license is suspended and you continue to drive anyway, you could actually receive jail time if you’re caught.
You don’t need to go to court alone and take risks with your future. There’s a better way to deal with traffic tickets in Raleigh, from a minor charge to something more serious like DWI.
Before you do anything with your ticket, contact a Raleigh traffic ticket attorney to learn how you can fight any traffic ticket, consider your options, and keep your driving record clear.
Why You Should Hire A Traffic Ticket Attorney
It may seem like overkill to hire an attorney for a minor ticket like running a stop sign. The costs may even be the same, but there is more to it than just the cost. What’s the difference?
When you represent yourself, you are likely not familiar with all the laws involved, nor the best course of action. You may also make a statement that isn’t a legal defense, and end up with a conviction anyway. This means you’ll also pay court costs, fees, time off work and higher insurance rates.
Hiring a lawyer means you get the legal experience, knowledge, and expertise of someone who spends a considerable amount of time working with traffic ticket cases.
Traffic ticket attorneys are also much more likely to win a case than a client that self-represents. The lawyer understands the court system and regularly works with judges in traffic court. When it’s time for negotiation, a traffic ticket attorney will work to reduce a moving violation into a non-moving violation, potentially avoiding a point or two.
In many cases, the lawyer you hire can go to court for you, and you won’t have to appear.
Paying for the expertise of a traffic ticket lawyer can save hundreds or even thousands in court costs, your insurance rates, as well as the potential loss of your license if you have too many points. What would it cost if you had to start taking taxis, Uber/Lyft rides, and relying on friends or relatives to get around?
Preventing The Consequences
At the Law Offices of Dewey P. Brinkley, we work to protect your license and keep your insurance rates from sudden increases after any kind of traffic ticket.
Attorney Brinkley is a former Wake County Assistant District Attorney who has handled hundreds of trials involving Raleigh and Wake County traffic tickets and moving violations. He provides professional legal counsel while protecting your rights and interests.
We can defend you against a variety of traffic violations including:
- DWI (including Provisional DWI)
- Ignition interlock device
- Careless and reckless driving
- Nonmoving violations
- Moving violations resulting in an accident
- Hit and run
- Speeding
- To elude arrest
- In a school zone
- In a work zone
- Red light/stop sign tickets
- Driving with a revoked license
- Commercial driver’s license (CDL) violations
- Unpaid previous traffic tickets
When you hire Dewey P. Brinkley, he will examine your driving record, including the history, as well as your ticket(s). He will discuss your case with you and look for any details that can aid your defense.
After considering your situation, Mr. Brinkley will negotiate with the prosecutors to discuss a plea bargain. Depending on the case, he may be able to reduce your penalties, avoid revocation or suspension of your license, prevent the addition of points to your license as well and increase your insurance rates.
PJC: North Carolina’s “Prayer for Judgment Continued”
Unique to North Carolina, the Prayer for Judgment Continued, or PJC, is a disposition after a plea of guilty where the judge suspends entering a judgment in the case. In traffic cases, a “PJC” means that you’ll plead guilty, but any insurance or driver’s license points won’t accrue on your driving record for the underlying offense. Only one PJC can be granted per household every three years. A second PJC can be used within five years, but only for driver’s license points.
Judges will often require that the offender complete a defensive driving course or community service in order to earn a PJC. Online defensive driving courses are inexpensive and may take less than a day to complete. Discuss the possibility of a PJC with Mr. Brinkley, and the option for a defensive driving course.
A Traffic Ticket Doesn’t Have To Ruin Your Record
You can fight back against a traffic ticket, and protect your driving record. Our goal is to have your ticket reduced or dismissed and to preserve your license and your driving record.
If you have received a traffic ticket and would like to learn more about your options, contact our offices any time or call 919-832-0307. The consultation is free, confidential, and we can advise you on the best way to proceed.