Traffic Offenses

Traffic tickets are almost an inevitable part of life. In fact, recent studies suggest that about 40 percent of people report having been pulled over for a traffic offense at least once in the past five years. In fact, traffic offenses are so common that most districts have dedicated traffic courts solely to handle the large number of traffic violation disputes. When it comes to traffic offenses in Charlotte, police officers can be very strict and unforgiving. If you have been charged with a traffic offense, hiring a Charlotte criminal defense attorney at the Olsinski Law Firm, PLLC, to represent your interests could get you out of the fines, points, and possible criminal conviction that comes along with the citation.

At the Olsinski Law Firm, PLLC, we’ve assembled a skilled team of traffic ticket lawyers who have specific experience challenging all types of traffic offenses to keep our clients on the road and out of legal trouble.

North Carolina's traffic ticket point system is a method used by the North Carolina Division of Motor Vehicles (NCDMV) to monitor and regulate the driving behaviors of motorists. This system assigns points to your record for various traffic violations. The severity of the violation determines the number of points added. For example, minor infractions like speeding may result in a lower number of points, whereas more serious offenses such as reckless driving [link to Reckless Driving page] can carry a higher point penalty.

Accumulating points on your driving record can lead to serious consequences. If you accumulate 7 points, you may be required to attend a Driver Improvement Clinic, which can remove three points from your record. However, getting 12 or more points within a three-year period may result in the suspension of your driving privileges. Following a suspension, the number of points needed to trigger another suspension decreases; for example, if you get 8 points in the three years after reinstatement, you’ll face another suspension.

Moreover, insurance companies often use the number of points you have on your North Carolina driver’s license as a factor in determining your insurance rates. Thus, the more points you have, the higher your insurance premiums.

Many people do not know that even a simple speeding ticket for 15 mph or more over the limit can result in a license suspension in North Carolina. In fact, there are many areas within North Carolina traffic laws that will lead to a suspension of your license. While your ticket may not be that severe, it is always best to have an experienced Charlotte traffic attorney look over your record to determine what’s at stake and whether fighting the citation is in your best interest.

In many situations, the suspension or fine itself is not the most important issue; it’s the long-term increase in insurance rates. North Carolina has a unique arrangement between insurance companies and driving violations. Since this relationship is known, it is easier for attorneys to guide you through the process to minimize any increase in your insurance rates.

The Olsinski Law Firm, PLLC represents clients in a wide variety of traffic violation cases, including hit & runs, driving with a revoked license, speeding, and reckless driving. Our firm believes that the best way for our clients to protect themselves from the threat of increased insurance payments or from losing their license is to fight every ticket. Driving is an integral part of most people's lives, and losing your license can have a devastating effect on your ability to work or attend school. We can help. To learn more, and to schedule a free consultation with a Charlotte traffic offense attorney, give the Olsinski Law Firm, PLLC a call at 704-405-2850, or connect with us through our secure online contact form.