North Carolina Citation. Lawyer recommendations?

[brian5]

I got a speeding ticket in NC (82 in a 60 zone) on I-85. Not sure how I was clocked but was told that I was going 82 "when I went under the bridge". I suspect LiDAR was used. I'm not complaining about getting the ticket; I was frequently driving more than 22 mph over the limit. I was just stupid in this case because I was going so much faster than everyone else...

The citation does not give any fine that I can pay; merely a court appearance date in Charlotte, NC. Once I got back home to CT, I got letters from about 20 lawyers 'offering me their services'. (Is there no privacy??? -- I could not believe this!).

Some lawyers quote fees and others want me to call. It seems like the lawyer will appear on my behalf for $160-$200, and the court appearance fee plus fine is around another $210-$270.

1. I plan to pay this but does anyone know what happens if I just ignore this citation (and court appearance)? I live in CT and might drive in NC again. I have seen posts by others that they don't pay out-of-state tickets.

2. Anyone have a Mecklenburg County, NC lawyer that they can recommend?

Thanks

[jspdr]

You should check out AVVO.com. go there and register if first time user. Post your specific questions, just to make sure its under correct topic. Lawyers will give free advice in a short time generally. I had a couple, one in Iowa, and Nevada, luckily did not have to appeared in court, just paid the tickets. Good luck.

[brian5]

jspdr,

Thanks. Some useful rating info at Avvo.com

Comparing that with letters that I have. I really don't want to talk more lawyers than I want to Two is probably the max that I can take...

[motordavid]

Do not 'ignore'...
Call a couple of the net chasing lawyers, (the courts actually feed these guys), pick one you like, ascertain his total fee and his best guess of what he can get that speed 'reduced' or adjudged down to, pay the barrister, and wait...

Some states, NC included, supposedly forward that 'excessive speed' citation on to your home state, but that is based on what the final 'judgement' is: if adjudged down to something less superlative, it may not get forwarded to CT...

You are lucky; I have a few m'cycle riding buddies/fast car guys that have had the State Cop impound the car/m'cycle for that ~22 over/over 80 speed, as in 'reckless driving'. In NC statutes, it can also be a misdemeanor vs a basic code infraction/speeding ticket.

No pick on a lawyer as I am 3 hrs west of M county/Charlotte area.
GL, mD

[brian5]

motordavid,

Thanks. I do plan to pay.

Yes, I did some web searches and found that "conviction of speeding more than 15 miles over limit when the speed is 55 mph or greater" could result in suspension of NC driving privilege or they might notify my state which could suspend my license... So I guess I was lucky to keep driving...

Two lawyers said they would try to get the ticket reduced to down to "9 over". They might be able to do that given that the speed limits on the highways that I was on through varied from 75 down to 60.

[1naztyx5]

Brian,

sorry to hear about your misfortune, i too got a tkt in NC on my way to FL back in 2009, if recall correctly between lawyer and fine it was about $650, they didn't give me any points (thank god) but i believe i paid the maximum fine

i think in this towns they all know each other (cop, lawyer, judge) and they go hard on out of state people ... good luck man!

[blktoptrvl]

Originally Posted by motordavid

You are lucky; I have a few m'cycle riding buddies/fast car guys that have had the State Cop impound the car/m'cycle for that ~22 over/over 80 speed, as in 'reckless driving'. In NC statutes, it can also be a misdemeanor vs a basic code infraction/speeding ticket.

I Agree, NC Doesn't fart around, in addition to impound, lots of people end up in jail over the weekends.

I have never used this web service, but I was told by a friend it is a good place to start...

North Carolina Speeding / Traffic Ticket Lawyers. Find the Top Speeding / Traffic Ticket Lawyers in North Carolina - Avvo.com

[bmwbmwuser]

What is the violation code on the ticket?

Probably you are looking at a misdemeanor. Call the court clerk to verify.

If that is the case, you will need an attorney to reduce it to a moving violation.

Call the attorney's list that blktoptrvl provided and ask for references. You can also do a background check by contacting the NC State Bar.

If the ticket is a moving violation check if NC has what is called "trial by written declaration". Basically, if the cop does not respond, you win.

Cost ($, time, headache, etc..) to fix your ticket = V1 + good laser jammer........lol

Good luck

[brian5]

Thanks for input ^, ^^, ^^^

Violation code? Only thing that looks like that is at the end of the 'charge'. "... OPERATE A MOTOR VEHICLE ON A STREET OR HIGHWAY AT A SPEED OF 82 MPH IN A 60 MPH ZONE. (G.S. 20-141(J1))"

Going to have to research "G.S. 20-141(J1)" but I assume a lawyer, that I'll contact, will know. EDIT: Apparently it's a Class 2 Misdemeanor.

As far as the laser jammer goes, I'm not sure that he got me on LiDAR. I drove 2,000+ miles in 4 days so I had a lot of alerts on my V1 in that time. I could have just missed/ignored the K-band alert that one time... He could have been parked on the bridge and then pulled onto the freeway to come after me. I saw two other troopers operating that way.

[bmwbmwuser]

Below is the link to the statute.

§ 20‑141 (b) is referring to an exception. "Except as otherwise provided in this Chapter, it shall be unlawful to operate a vehicle in excess of the following speeds:...."

Do some research, see if the exception helps your case.



G.S. 20-141