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Traffic Offense Lawyer in Wake County

A traffic offense may not seem like a big deal to many people. Many pay the fine and shrug it off. However, even a traffic ticket for an offense like speeding can have far-reaching consequences. Some traffic offenses rise to a criminal level, and can even have jail time as a possible penalty.

Like any other alleged violation of the law, you have a right to an attorney. Your attorney can negotiate on your behalf and seek the best possible result for you.

Traffic Lawyer in Raleigh

At Coolidge Law Firm, we have extensive experience representing Wake County residents, students and visitors on felonies, misdemeanors and infractions that occur behind the wheel. Whether charged with speeding, hit and run, DWI or death by vehicle, we can assist you in obtaining the best possible result given the circumstances of your case. We are both skilled at negotiating with prosecutors for reduced charges and arguing for your freedom in the courtroom.

We represent clients throughout Wake County, including in Raleigh, Cary, Garner, Wake Forest, Apex, Fuquay-Varina, Knightdale and Zebulon. Call an experienced traffic offense lawyer today.

(919) 239-8448

Information on Wake County Driving Offenses

Types of Driving Violations
Points System for Driving Offenses and License Suspension
Procedure in a Driving Accusation

Types of Driving Violations

Traffic offenses have a broad range of severity. They can be felonies, misdemeanors or minor infractions.

Some infractions are called “waivable” offenses. Waivable Offenses allow the person receiving the citation the option of simply paying the fine plus court costs, and not appearing in court, thereby “waiving” the right to trial. “Waivable” offenses include:

Most speeding offenses
Driving too slowly
Running a red light or stop sign
Failing to carry a license while driving
Child restraint violations
Driving while texting
Possession of open container of an alcoholic beverage
Lane violations
Following too closely
Improper turn
Improper passing
Failure to yield right of way
Interfering with or failing to move for emergency vehicles
Offenses relating to equipment
Seat belt violations
Littering

Simply paying the ticket can seem like an easy option. However, paying a traffic ticket online or in court can be an admission of guilty and result in substantial the consequences that go beyond the fine. The infraction becomes part of your record. Your insurance may become more expensive. It may be harder to obtain jobs that rely heavily on driving. You also accumulate points, explained below, that can lead to you losing your license.

Non-waivable offenses include:

Driving while license suspended, revoked or disqualified
Driving with an open container after drinking
Failure to stop at the scene of an accident (hit and run)
Any DWI offense
Careless and reckless driving
Aggressive driving
Speeding at more than 15 miles per hour above the posted limit while driving more than 55 mph
Speeding at more than 80 mph
Passing a stopped school bus
Racing
Death by vehicle

Some of these charges carry a mandatory minimum license suspension period. Some may even carry jail time or probation as a penalty.

Points System for Driving Offenses and License Suspension

Convictions from moving violations will result in the North Carolina Division of Motor Vehicles assessing driver’s license points against that driver. If 12 points accumulate within a three-year period, the NCDMV may suspend that driver’s license. If the division reinstates the license and the driver then accumulates eight points within the next three years, the NCDMV may suspend the license again.

Points vary based on the type of offense. For a single offense, they can range from one point for littering to five points for aggressive driving or passing a stopped school bus loading or unloading children.

Other circumstances may also result in the suspension of your license. If convicted of speeding more than 15 miles per hour above the posted limit, you lose your license for a minimum of 30 days. The NCDMV also can suspend your license for two or more convictions in a year of speeding while going more than 55 miles per hour. Even if you were just going 56 in a 55 mph zone twice, you could lose your license.

Other offenses that lead to suspension include:

Willful racing (3 year suspension)
Watching, betting on or loaning a car for prearranged racing (3 years)
Speeding and reckless driving in the same incident (60 days)
Two reckless driving convictions in a year (1 year)
First DWI (1 year)
Second DWI (4 years)
Third or Subsequent DWI (Permanent)
Misdemeanor Death by Vehicle (1 year)
Felony Death by Vehicle (Permanent)

If an officer charges you with driving with a revoked/suspended license, you face the possibility of a misdemeanor conviction and a mandatory one-year suspension for the first offense.

If your license is suspended, you may have the option of obtaining limited driving privilege, which would allow you to travel to and from work and make other necessary trips. Your attorney can help you petition for this privilege.

Procedure in a Driving Accusation

For some accusations, including DWI, you will be arrested. For most moving violations, though, the officer will give you a citation. The citation will order you to be in court at a certain time on a certain date.

You must either appear at the hearing or, for a waivable offense, pay the fine or make arrangements beforehand. At the hearing, you can either plead guilty or responsible, or inform the court of your intent to fight the charges.

Despite what the Wake County Clerk of Court’s website might say, it is not advisable to simply show up to the hearing and hope to negotiate a reduction in the offense with the prosecutor. The prosecutor may not, under North Carolina ethics rules, advise you about your case or the consequences of a conviction. The prosecutor cannot give you legal advice and sometimes may even give you incorrect advice. And most importantly, DO NOT SIMPLY PAY YOUR TRAFFIC TICKET ONLINE.

An attorney from Coolidge Law Firm can represent you in court and negotiate with prosecutors to get your charges reduced or dismissed. We may also be able to seek a prayer for judgment continued (PJC), which means you plead guilty but the court does not issue judgment. PJCs should only be used in certain circumstances.

Raleigh Traffic Offenses FAQs

Should I Just Pay My Traffic Ticket Online?

Not without understanding the consequences. Paying a traffic ticket can be treated as admitting responsibility or guilt, depending on the offense. That may lead to driver’s license points, insurance points, higher premiums, license suspension risk, or a record that affects jobs involving driving.

North Carolina courts allow some waivable traffic offenses to be paid online, by mail, or in person, but waiver is not always the best option. It’s best to first discuss the allegations against you with an experienced Raleigh criminal defense attorney to help consider the best path forward.

Do I Have to Appear in Wake County Traffic Court?

It depends on the charge. Some minor traffic offenses may be waivable, while others require a court appearance. Wake County Administrative Traffic Court allows people to appear during scheduled hours for certain minor traffic cases, and a person may appear in person or retain a lawyer to appear on their behalf.

Can a Lawyer Go to Traffic Court for Me in Wake County?

For many traffic cases, yes. Wake County’s Administrative Traffic Court allows that any person who retains a lawyer to have that legal representative appear in court on their behalf. Whether that is allowed in a specific case depends on the charge, court setting, and whether the offense requires the defendant’s personal appearance.

Will a Speeding Ticket Add Points to My North Carolina License?

A conviction for a moving violation can add driver’s license points through the N.C. Division of Motor Vehicles. A license may be suspended if a driver accumulates 12 points within three years, or 8 points within three years after reinstatement.

Can a Traffic Ticket Increase My Car Insurance?

Yes. In North Carolina, a traffic conviction can add insurance points under the Safe Driver Incentive Plan. Even a lower-level moving violation can lead to 1 insurance point and a 40% rate increase, while more serious charges like reckless driving, passing a stopped school bus, high-speed violations, or DWI can lead to much larger increases. Some convictions can affect insurance premiums for several years, so paying a ticket without reviewing the consequences can be costly.

What if My Traffic Ticket Is Related to an Alleged DWI Offense?

A ticket connected to an alleged Raleigh DWI offense should not be treated like a basic traffic citation. In North Carolina, a DWI can affect your criminal record, driver’s license, insurance rates, and ability to drive for work or family needs. A conviction can also trigger a minimum one-year license suspension through NCDMV, so it is important to understand the full consequences before paying or resolving any related traffic charge.

What Traffic Charges Are More Serious Than a Regular Ticket?

Charges such as reckless or aggressive driving, driving while license revoked, hit and run, passing a stopped school bus, death by vehicle, speeding more than 15 mph over the limit while traveling over 55 mph, and speeding over 80 mph can carry more serious consequences. Some are non-waivable, and some may create suspension, probation, or criminal record concerns.

At the Coolidge Law Firm, our defense attorney will review the allegations against you and the facts and circumstances of your traffic-related case and determine the best strategy to protect your rights.

What Happens if I Miss My Traffic Court Date in Wake County?

Missing court can create additional problems, including possible failure-to-appear consequences and license issues. If you miss a court date, it is usually better to address it quickly rather than waiting for DMV or court notices. Wake County court dates can be searched through the North Carolina Judicial Branch portal.

What Is a Prayer for Judgment Continued?

A Prayer for Judgment Continued, often called a PJC, is a possible outcome in some North Carolina traffic cases where the court does not enter final judgment. It is not the right option for every case, but can be considered depending on the facts of your case. A PJC can still have limits and consequences, especially if the driver or household has used one before or if insurance rules apply.

Can an Out-of-State Driver Fight a Raleigh Traffic Ticket?

Yes. Out-of-state drivers who receive a ticket in Raleigh or Wake County may still have options, but they should be careful before paying the citation. A North Carolina conviction may be reported and can affect the person’s home-state license or insurance, depending on that state’s rules. An experienced Raleigh traffic offense attorney can review whether an appearance is required and whether the charge may be reduced or contested.

Contact a Traffic Lawyer in Raleigh!

It is important to take every criminal charge seriously, including speeding tickets. An attorney can help you obtain the best results possible. For any driving violation, contact a skilled Raleigh traffic offense lawyer. We have successfully helped thousands of Wake County driver’s keep their records clean. At Coolidge Law Firm, we represent clients throughout Wake County, including Raleigh, Cary, Mooresville, Garner, Holly Springs, Wendell and Rolesville. Call us at (919) 239-8448 or fill out the contact form below for a free consultation.

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I can not say enough good about David Coolidge and the Law Firm! From the moment of our 1st interaction, I could tell that David TRULY cares and has a passion about the cases he takes on. I was anxious and nervous about my case from the beginning. David immediately showed his support and listened with an empathetic ear. From that moment on, I felt as though I knew I could trust him to put his whole heart into helping me with my case. He is intelligent, kind and completely nonjudgmental. He will listen to you and is so very supportive. I really felt, and still do, that he really cared about helping me. His passion for his work and in helping others shines. We VERY HAPPILY, had a GREAT outcome from the case and I could not be happier. As I told him when we left the court room that morning... “David, you have changed my life forever”. I would recommend David and this Law Firm to EVERYONE who is reading this review.

- Brian L.

David Coolidge is a wonderful attorney! I hired him twice for two different cases that I had which were only 2 months apart. He's very thorough and efficient. I was even able to reach him after hours through phone calls, texts, and email. Hopefully I never need his services again but if I am in a similar predicament I would most definitely hire David again.

- Tiffany C.

Excellent Customer Service. I had a Speeding ticket and they resolved it positively with no points on my Driver License. They represented me in Court and by midday on the Court date, they had updated me on the outcome. Very efficient service. I highly recommend them if you are in need of Legal Services.

- Stephen O.

I got a speeding ticket for going 17 over. They sent me a letter in the mail explaining that I could plead improper equipment and get no points on my insurance or license. They even gave me the fees straight out on the letter including court costs. They represented me and made the ticket go away.

- David G.

I cannot say enough about Attorney Coolidge and his staff. He’s handed several matters for me and in every instance he has exceeded my expectations. He even answered a frantic call from me on a Saturday night. I called in desperation not really expecting an answer. Mr. Coolidge delivered on all that he promised and more. I highly recommend.

- Craig S.