Got a ticket in Gaston County? Don’t just pay it.
Paying a ticket is a conviction, and the license points, insurance points, and three years of higher premiums come with it. Most tickets can be negotiated down or dismissed. Free consultation before you decide anything.
Can a lawyer really help with a traffic ticket? Yes. In most Gaston County traffic cases, the driver’s license points and insurance rate increase you are facing can be reduced or eliminated, and you may not have to appear in court at all. With a signed Waiver of Personal Appearance, I can appear on your behalf in most cases. It is often possible to negotiate a plea reduction to Improper Equipment, resulting in no driver’s license points and no insurance points under North Carolina law.
Please note: my office is not currently accepting DWI (Driving While Impaired) cases.
A ticket costs more than the fine.
Traffic tickets cost more than you may think. For each moving violation, a driver will incur driver’s license points and insurance points. A North Carolina licensed driver who accumulates too many driver’s license points will have their license and privilege to drive suspended. Incurring any insurance points will cause your insurance premium to increase for three years. Any time you receive a traffic citation, you need to speak with an attorney. The consequences of the decisions you make may have a significant impact on your life.
- License points Too many and the DMV suspends your license and privilege to drive.
- Insurance points Even one raises your premium for three years.
- Criminal record Speeding over 80 mph or 15+ mph over the limit are Class 3 misdemeanors, not mere infractions.
- Your job CDL holders face doubled fines, faster point accumulation, and disqualification. See CDL & commercial drivers →
Work the case from every possible angle.
It does not matter if you are charged with the least or most serious driving violation. In either event, you need competent and effective legal representation. My goal is to work each case from every possible angle to make the law work for my clients. In all cases where a motorist is issued a ticket, a trial on the merits is always an option; however, it may be less of a gamble and more advantageous to negotiate with the district attorney’s office to have your charge reduced or dismissed, reducing or eliminating any impact on your driver’s license or insurance.
In most cases involving minor traffic offenses it is possible to negotiate a dismissal of your charge(s) with your completion of community service and/or a driver improvement course. If we work a deal providing for a dismissal upon completion of community service, take it seriously and complete the volunteer work without delay, and never begin community service until we have a deal in writing with the district attorney’s office.
“He got my 75 in a 55 ticket dropped down to where I got no points in my license… I didn’t have to do anything!”Salem M., Google review
Your situation, in detail.
Speeding & Super Speeder
Regular speeding, 90+ mph, 100+ mph: what each means, when court is mandatory, and how charges get reduced or dismissed.
Read more →CDL & Commercial Drivers
Your livelihood rides on your CDL: higher point scales, doubled fines, employer notification rules, and disqualification triggers.
Read more →License Issues & DWLR
Driving While License Revoked, no operator’s license, and what out-of-state drivers need to know about NC tickets.
Read more →PJC & Improper Equipment
North Carolina’s two point-saving plea tools: what they do, the strict usage limits, and when each applies.
Read more →Know Your Rights
What to do, and not do, when you encounter the police. Eleven rules that protect your case before it starts.
Read more →Client Forms
The Waiver of Personal Appearance and Consent for Release: download them here, plus how and when each is used.
Get the forms →Cited for something else? It’s probably here.
My office handles most traffic matters in Gaston County. If you do not see the offense you have been charged with, give me a call. I would be happy to discuss your case.
Inspection Violation
An emissions inspection is required in Gaston County (among other North Carolina counties) under the Clean Air Act. Generally, an inspection violation will not result in driver license points in North Carolina but is an infraction which carries a possible fine of up to $50 plus court costs. If you have been cited for an inspection violation and you now have the vehicle registered, it may be possible to have the charge against you dismissed. Note that Forging an Inspection Certificate is a Class I felony and your court appearance is mandatory.
Driving Without Insurance
The owner of each motor vehicle registered in North Carolina must maintain financial responsibility continuously throughout the period of registration. Violation is a Class 1 misdemeanor and carries three driver license points. It may be possible to negotiate a dismissal of your charge if there was no accident and you now have insurance.
Reckless Driving
The State must prove beyond a reasonable doubt that you drove carelessly and heedlessly in willful or wanton disregard of the rights and safety of others, or without due caution at a speed or in a manner that could or does endanger persons or property. Reckless Driving is a Class 2 misdemeanor carrying four driver license points and four insurance points. In some cases it is possible to negotiate a plea to Improper Equipment, resulting in no driver’s license or insurance points.
Unsafe Movement
Unsafe Movement is an infraction carrying two driver license points. If you were found at fault in an accident, whether you incur insurance points will depend on the circumstances and outcome. In some circumstances it may be possible to negotiate a dismissal if your insurance company has accepted liability or settled all claims from the accident. Otherwise, it may be possible to negotiate the charge down to a non-moving violation with no driver license or insurance points.
Registration Violation
Failure to register your vehicle when required is a Class 2 misdemeanor. Registration offenses involving fraud are a Class I felony requiring a court appearance. It may be possible to negotiate a dismissal (excluding fraud) if you now have the vehicle registered.
Following Too Closely
Following Too Closely is an infraction carrying four driver license points and two insurance points. It may be possible to have this charge negotiated down to an Improper Equipment, resulting in no driver license or insurance points.
Failure to Give Notice of Name or Address Change
A person whose address changes from the address on their license must notify the DMV within 60 days (and obtain a duplicate license if they moved). This is a non-moving violation which does not result in points in North Carolina.
Don’t take legal advice from the officer.
Beware of police officers giving you legal advice. Whose interest do you think they have in mind? It is illegal for anyone other than an attorney licensed by the North Carolina State Bar to give legal advice. If a police officer has given you legal advice, it is recommended that you report it to the North Carolina State Bar. Before you decide anything about your ticket, know your rights and talk to an attorney. The first consultation here is free.
Traffic ticket FAQs.
Do I have to go to court for a speeding ticket in Gaston County?
In most cases, no. With a signed Waiver of Personal Appearance, I can appear in court on your behalf for most traffic matters. Court appearance is mandatory in the more severe cases (such as speeding at 90 mph or greater), though even then it may sometimes be possible for me to appear for you if both the District Attorney and Judge consent.
What happens if I just pay my ticket?
Paying the ticket is a conviction. As a general rule, it is not recommended that anyone simply pay their ticket without consulting an attorney. Doing so may jeopardize your privilege to drive and cause your automobile insurance rates to significantly increase for three years.
How much does a traffic lawyer cost in Gastonia?
The initial consultation is free, and criminal and traffic matters are quoted as an up-front flat rate with no hidden fees. You will know the total before you decide. Fees are set case-by-case based on the charge; call 704-675-9939 for a quote on yours.
Can my ticket be reduced so I get no points?
It is often possible to negotiate a plea reduction to Improper Equipment, resulting in no driver license points and no insurance points under North Carolina law. Eligibility has limits: one Improper Equipment reduction every three years in Gaston County, and it is not available for speeds more than 25 mph over the limit. A Prayer for Judgment Continued is another tool with its own limits. See how PJC and Improper Equipment work →
I live out of state. Do I need to come back to North Carolina?
Usually not. In most cases I can handle your Gaston County ticket with a Waiver of Personal Appearance while you stay home. North Carolina reports convictions to your home state under the Driver License Compact, so an unhandled NC ticket can still reach your license and insurance. More for out-of-state drivers →
Free consultation on your ticket. Call before you pay anything.
704-675-9939Walk-ins Mon–Fri 8:00–8:30 AM & 11:00 AM–12:00 PM · Calls returned same business day.