Speeding & Super Speeder tickets. Before you just pay it, call.
Speeding in Gaston County can be a criminal offense, not just a fine. In most cases the points can be reduced or eliminated, and you may never have to set foot in court.
What should I do about a speeding ticket in Gaston County? Don’t just pay it. Paying is a conviction that may jeopardize your privilege to drive and raise your insurance for three years. Being convicted of a speeding violation can cost you dearly, but it may not have to: in most cases I can appear in court on your behalf with a Waiver of Personal Appearance, and it is often possible to negotiate a plea reduction to Improper Equipment resulting in no driver license points and no insurance points. My office offers a free initial telephone consultation on speeding tickets.
When speeding becomes a criminal charge.
Speeding in North Carolina can be a criminal offense. Speeding in excess of 80 mph and exceeding the speed limit by more than 15 mph are both Class 3 misdemeanors, with punishment guided by structured sentencing. In the more severe cases, court appearance is mandatory. However, in most cases it is possible to negotiate the original criminal charge down to an infraction that I can resolve without you being present, accomplished with the Waiver of Personal Appearance.
- License suspension Accumulate too many points and the DMV suspends your license; high speeds can trigger mandatory suspension under G.S. 20-16.5 and related statutes.
- Insurance for 3 years Insurance points raise your premium for three years, often costing far more than the fine.
- A criminal record 80+ mph or 15+ over is a Class 3 misdemeanor: a criminal conviction, not a parking ticket.
- Your time Without a negotiated resolution and waiver, you may be looking at a court morning in Gastonia, or several.
Super Speeder: 90+ and 100+ charges.
If you are charged with driving 90 mph or greater in Gaston County, you are required to attend court. In some circumstances it may be possible for me to appear on your behalf, so long as I can get both the District Attorney and the Judge to consent. In all 90+ cases, I recommend the defendant complete a driver improvement course. When in court, I need to be able to say some good things about you, and completing the course is a good thing.
In Gaston County, a Speeding 90+ charge usually resolves one of two ways: a trial on the merits, or a negotiated plea to Reckless Driving. Whether that plea is possible depends on your past record, the facts surrounding the ticket, any comments made by the issuing officer, and the mitigating factors we can present. A negotiated plea to Reckless removes the mandatory suspension based on the speed itself, though your license may still be subject to revocation under G.S. 20-16, 20-16.5, 20-17 and 20-19.
Charged with 100+ mph? Your options narrow to a trial on the merits or a plea. In some circumstances a Limited Driving Privilege may be available for drivers who lose their license for excessive speeding.
“I got my first ever ticket… for speeding 20+ over and I had no idea what to do. 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
Community service and driver improvement courses.
In most cases involving minor traffic offenses it is possible to negotiate a dismissal of your charge(s) with completion of community service and/or a driver improvement course. You are responsible for finding a non-profit to volunteer your time, and proof of completion must be provided to the law office as instructed. Never begin community service until we have a deal in writing with the district attorney’s office, and once we have one, complete the volunteer work without delay.
Approved course options are listed on the Client Resources page, including the in-person defensive driving course at Gaston College and an 8-hour online option.
Speeding ticket FAQs.
Do I have to go to court for a NC speeding ticket?
In most cases, no. With a signed Waiver of Personal Appearance I can appear on your behalf and resolve the case. Exception: driving 90 mph or greater requires you to attend court, though even then, appearing for you is sometimes possible with the consent of the District Attorney and the Judge.
Can my speeding ticket be reduced to no points?
Often, yes. It is frequently possible to negotiate a plea reduction to Improper Equipment, which carries no driver license points and no insurance points under North Carolina law. Limits apply: one Improper Equipment reduction every three years in Gaston County, and speeds more than 25 mph over the limit are not eligible.
Is speeding a misdemeanor in North Carolina?
It can be. Speeding in excess of 80 mph, or more than 15 mph over the posted limit, is a Class 3 misdemeanor under North Carolina law. Most lower-speed violations are infractions, but even those carry license and insurance points if you are convicted.
What is a Limited Driving Privilege?
If your license is suspended for excessive speeding, a Limited Driving Privilege may in some circumstances let you keep driving for essential purposes (like work) during the suspension. Whether you qualify depends on the specifics of your case. Call and we’ll go over it.
Should I complete a driving course before court?
For 90+ charges I always recommend completing a driver improvement course before court. It gives me something good to say about you to the Judge and District Attorney. For other tickets, don’t enroll (or start community service) until we have a plan: the right move depends on the deal we can reach.
Talk to Martin before you pay that ticket. It’s free.
704-675-9939Free phone consultation on speeding tickets. Calls returned the same business day.