Beaufort, North Carolina, is a town and the county seat for Carteret County. The fourth oldest town in North Carolina, Beaufort, is a popular tourist location in the Inner Banks region. A coastal town, Beaufort is also home to the North Carolina Maritime Museum, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) center, and other historic sites.
Charged with a Traffic Offense in Beaufort? We’re Here to Help
Whether you were visiting Beaufort or you’re a resident, nobody enjoys getting a traffic ticket. If you’ve been charged with a traffic violation in Beaufort, it’s important that you don’t ignore the ticket. If you decide to pay the fine and get the process over with, you will be effectively pleading guilty to the charges. Whether you plead guilty or adjudicated guilty, getting a traffic ticket is always inconvenient and expensive.
Traffic Violations Hancock Law Firm Regularly Handles
Attorney Joel Hancock is prepared to take on your case if you’re facing traffic charges in Beaufort. He frequently deals with traffic court and knows the ins and outs of the Beaufort legal system. He will handle every aspect of your traffic ticket defense, freeing your time so you can continue life without any significant interruptions. If you’ve been ticketed for any of the following violations, don’t hesitate to reach out to Hancock Law Firm, PLLC:
- Failure to reduce your speed
- Seatbelt violations
- Failure to stop at a stoplight or stop sign
- Seatbelt violations
- Reckless driving, including rapid lane changing, tailgating, or passing on a curve
- Driving with an expired registration or inspection
- Driving with a revoked or suspended driver’s license
- Texting while driving
- Driving while intoxicated (DWI)
The Long-Lasting Impacts of a Beaufort Traffic Ticket
Initially, being pulled over and receiving a ticket can cause delays. Dealing with the ticket may cost you time away from work. Missed work hours can be more expensive than the fine itself. In addition to paying a fine, those convicted of a traffic violation may receive points on their driver’s license, which could result in a suspended or revoked driver’s license.
Additionally, even relatively minor traffic infractions can result in higher insurance premiums. A conviction can result in hundreds or thousands of dollars in additional premium fees that can last for months or even years.
How a Beaufort Traffic Defense Attorney Can Help You
It’s common for drivers to take the attitude that “you can’t fight City Hall” so you might as well pay the traffic ticket and get on with your life. However, many people aren’t aware of the fact that an experienced attorney can help you fight your ticket without you having to go to court. Hiring an attorney can help you minimize the long-term consequences of being convicted of a traffic ticket.
Even minor traffic violations are “waivable,” meaning drivers can relinquish their right to appear in court to contest the traffic ticket. Attorney Joel Hancock is prepared to handle your traffic ticket in court for you so you don’t have to take time off of work.
Should I Plead Guilty to a Beaufort Traffic Ticket?
There are several reasons you shouldn’t pay the fine and plead guilty to a traffic violation. The North Carolina Division of Motor Vehicles (NCDMV) has the authority to assess points on your driver’s license. If you plead guilty, these points can add up quickly and result in a driver’s license suspension.
A driver’s license suspension can be extremely inconvenient and may prevent you from easily running errands, commuting to work, and attending medical appointments. Additionally, a conviction will appear on your driver’s license. If a law enforcement officer pulls you over in the future, a police officer who stops you may see you as a previous offender. Your prior traffic ticket record could affect the outcome of the incident.
You may think you can avoid these consequences by not paying the fine and not showing up at the hearing. Doing so would be considered Failure to Appear or FTA. In addition to increased fines, your driver’s license will be suspended. The court may decide to issue a warrant for your arrest.
Effective Beaufort Traffic Defenses
Attorney Joel Hancock works diligently to provide clients with the best possible legal representation. He has an in-depth understanding of the traffic ticket process. He is also adept at negotiating with prosecutors and has a proven track record of persuading them to dismiss cases or reduce the severity of the ticket.
After listening carefully to your case’s facts, he will develop a unique legal defense strategy. With years of experience defending Beaufort traffic tickets, he knows which defenses are the most effective. Depending on the facts in your specific case, one or more of the following legal defenses may be advantageous:
- The police officer’s view of you and your vehicle was obscured
- The police officer’s radar gun was not working
- You were violating traffic laws out of necessity, such as speeding to avoid an accident
- A medical event you couldn’t control occurred
- A mechanical problem caused your vehicle to malfunction
- The speed limit wasn’t posted
Beaufort Speeding Ticket Defense Attorney
Speeding is one of the most common reasons drivers receive tickets in North Carolina and elsewhere. A speeding violation can result in fines, points on your driving record, increased insurance premiums, and the suspension or revocation of your driver’s license. In some cases, drivers can face misdemeanor criminal charges for speeding, leaving them with a permanent criminal record. If you’ve been charged with speeding, you’ll benefit from speaking to an experienced defense attorney.
Contact a Beaufort Traffic Defense Attorney
If you’ve received a traffic ticket, it can be tempting to ignore the ticket or pay it and move on. Doing so can cause you significant problems in the future. Working with an attorney may save you hundreds or even thousands of dollars. Don’t hesitate to contact Joel Hancock to learn more about how he can handle your traffic ticket in an efficient, safe, and cost-effective manner.