Some traffic charges in North Carolina are crimes, not tickets: driving while license revoked, reckless driving, speeding to elude, street racing, hit and run. They carry criminal records, license consequences and in some cases jail. We handle these; for a simple speeding ticket with no license issue, we'll point you to someone who does.
Criminal traffic charges in North Carolina
Driving while license revoked is a Class 3 misdemeanor in North Carolina, or a Class 1 if the revocation was for an impaired driving offense. Reckless driving is a Class 2 misdemeanor. Speeding more than 15 mph over the limit while over 55, or over 80 mph, is a misdemeanor that also triggers a 30-day license suspension on conviction. Speeding to elude arrest is a Class 1 misdemeanor or a Class H felony with aggravating factors.
Street racing and 'street takeover' offenses carry misdemeanor and felony charges plus vehicle seizure. Hit and run with property damage is a Class 1 misdemeanor; with injury, a Class H or F felony. Driving after consuming under 21 is a Class 2 misdemeanor with a one-year revocation. These are criminal charges heard in district court with the same rights and the same defense tools as any other.
License and insurance consequences
North Carolina uses two point systems: DMV driver's license points, where 12 points in three years brings a suspension, and insurance points, which raise premiums for three years. A reckless driving conviction adds 4 DMV points and 4 insurance points (roughly an 80 percent premium increase). Driving while revoked extends the revocation by a year on the first conviction, two on the second, and permanently on the third. Avoiding the conviction, or converting it to a non-moving infraction, is usually the whole point.
What we do
Many criminal traffic charges can be reduced to non-criminal infractions or dismissed when the paperwork is in order: a restored license, proof of insurance, a corrected revocation. Where the facts are disputed, we challenge the stop and the officer's observations the same way we would in any criminal case.
Charged? We're here now. Phones are answered 24/7. Don't give a statement, don't post about it, and call us before your first court date.
Call (704) 842-3411Request a free case reviewCommon questions
Do you handle speeding tickets?
Not standalone speeding tickets. If a ticket comes with a license revocation, a reckless driving charge, or a prior record that makes a conviction serious, call us. Otherwise, a traffic-ticket attorney will be more cost-effective for you.
What is a PJC?
A prayer for judgment continued is a North Carolina-specific disposition where the judge accepts a guilty plea but doesn't enter judgment, so no DMV or insurance points attach. Drivers are generally allowed one PJC per household every three years for insurance purposes and two per five years for DMV purposes. A PJC isn't available for DWI, speeding more than 25 over, or commercial drivers, and using one on a minor matter can waste it. We'll tell you whether it fits.
Can I get a limited driving privilege?
In many revocation situations, yes. North Carolina issues limited driving privileges for work, school and household needs following certain DWI, speeding and other revocations, when statutory conditions are met. Eligibility depends on the reason for the revocation and your record; we check it on the first call.
This page provides general information about North Carolina law. It is not legal advice, and reading it or contacting us does not create an attorney-client relationship. Every case is different and no outcome is guaranteed.