In North Carolina, unpaid traffic citations can have serious consequences. If you are caught driving or have been arrested with an unpaid citation, it is important to contact a traffic lawyer as soon as possible. The consequences of an unpaid citation can be severe, and you do not want to risk them if you can avoid it.
The Consequences of Unpaid Traffic Citations in North Carolina
Fines and Penalties: When a person has unpaid traffic citations in North Carolina, the state can levy fines and penalties. The total amount of the fines and penalties will depend on a variety of factors, including the number and severity of the citations, as well as the person's driving record. Generally, the more serious the offense, the higher the fines and penalties will be. Fines and penalties can also include court costs and fees.
License Suspensions and Revocations: If you fail to appear for your scheduled court hearing or otherwise settle your matter within 20 days of your hearing date, the court clerk is required by law to report the violation to the NC DMV (North Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles). If the judge rules against you and you fail to pay the fine within the time frame established by the judge, the court clerk is required by law to notify the NC DMV again after 40 days. As soon as the DMV gets notification of your non-compliance from the court, they will issue you a notice informing you that your license will be suspended if your case is not resolved by the date specified in the notice. If you continue to disobey the rules, your driver’s license might be revoked.
Arrest and Jail Time: Arrest and jail time are also potential consequences of unpaid traffic citations in North Carolina. If an individual does not take action to pay a traffic ticket, the court may issue a warrant for that person's arrest. If you are arrested and taken to jail, you will likely have to post bail in order to be released. The amount of bail will depend on the severity of the offense and your criminal history. If you cannot afford to post bail, you will remain in jail until your court date.
What if You Have a Good Reason for the Non-Payment of Your North Carolina Traffic Citation?
People frequently struggle to choose where to place their traffic fines in the hierarchy of their other financial and personal obligations. In this case, the information provided here should assist you in thinking about avoiding the negative outcomes associated with traffic ticket nonpayment.
Some other people choose to ignore their tickets because they believe the system is unfair and that they have done nothing wrong. But even if that is the case, we should not shrug off the problem.
So, what can you do? These situations call for the advice of an experienced traffic law attorney. A traffic attorney can help you file an appeal or negotiate a payment plan. At Coastal South Law, we are experts at these. We can also help you waive your ticket.
Contact us if you would like to get in touch with lawyers who could be able to assist you with your traffic ticket scenario.