Passing through North Carolina on my way home from Atlanta, I was caught doing 77 on a 60 mph stretch of I-95. Now I’m mad about three things. First, at myself. It is not normal for me to speed. Usually I’m that one that everyone tailgates. But this morning, silly me didn’t pay attention to the speed limit and ended up seeing those dreaded flashy blue lights in the rearview mirror. Dumb me.
Secondly, I’m mad because I live in Maryland. And according to the cop who wrote me the ticket, in January I have to go to court in Charlotte, NC. Which is seven hours away. What the hell? I asked him if I could plead no-contest and just pay the damn thing (how much could it be, anyway?), and he said no. I (or a lawyer on my behalf) have to go to court. Or else the law will come after me. Or something.
Third, I’m mad at North Carolina. It’s just a natural reaction, cut me some slack.
Surely someone on this board has dealt with a similar situation before. Is there anything I can do to keep from having to drive all the way down there (or shelling out extra cash for a lawyer)?
Yeah, I know this is a lame post, but I’m tired. So shut the fuck up!
Holy crap, you HAVE to show up? I got a ticket on the far western edge of Louisiana once, when I lived on the far eastern edge of Mississippi (83 in a 70 zone - I was going down a hill and had forgotten to let off the gas pedal commensurately, and to tell you the truth I wouldn’t have believed the car I was in at the time was CAPABLE of going over 80; I don’t normally speed). I called the county courthouse when I got home from the trip and they let me send my fine (almost $300) by mail if I admitted guilt.
If I were you, I’d contact the courthouse in Charlotte for clarification on their procedures. It sounds mighty odd that you would have to come down to the courthouse to pay your money. It’s quite possible the cop just didn’t know what he was talking about.
I agree with this- I mean, what if you were from California- do they expect you to come all the way back here to appear for court? Ridiculous and probably wrong.
I hope that doesn’t ruin your opinion of NC- it’s nice here and we’re good folks! (I’m in Lincolnton, NW of Charlotte and work in Charlotte)
Read the small print. It should have a list of options. We don’t have to go to court, the ticket can be paid early. Except for alcohol violations. I don’t see why you wouldn’t have the same options.
You have to show up for a run of the mill speeding ticket? Sounds nuts to me. I think there’s a breakdown in communication somewhere. That can’t be right.
This is why you’re required to show up for court. You seem to be in a peck of trouble, and you’ll make it worse if you don’t know the law you broke, or the penalties you potentially face.
I’d see if the case couldn’t be plea-bargained. That’ll save the prosecutor some work, and solve your problem.
Very weird. I’ve gotten a speeding ticket in North Carolina, and I just sent in my check for $130 or whatever. Going to Charlotte seems fishy, as I-95 runs nowhere near–er… You were probably on I-85, which connects Atlanta to Richmond?
You may want to go to court, though, and get the 77 dropped down to 74, which will greatly help your insurance rates. It might be worth the cost of an Independence Air ticket.
A phone call is in order. :dubious: I apologize on behalf of my home state for confusing you.
Additionally, North Carolina and Maryland are Drivers License Compact states, which means that if North Carolina suspends your license, Maryland will too. The same goes for failure to pay the NC ticket. Yikes!
Been there, done that. Lumberton, on I 95, is a, well, revenue generating focus area of speed enforcement. You may have found another one…
Over 15 mph over, you have to show. Or get a lawyer.
I got the lawyer. It takes some time, and some $, but no points.
They can (and apparently will, in some cases) take your license.
IIRC, it ran me 350 bucks or so.
