Watson, Dunlow & Wilkinson, P.A. - Attorneys at Law

TRAFFIC TICKETS

Many people believe that when they receive a traffic citation, it is in their best interests to just pay the fine and costs notated on the back of the ticket. However, this can cause serious consequences to your license and insurance rates. If we can be of service to you, please call our office to schedule your free consultation.

Below, you will find a list of drivers license points and insurance points for some of the traffic offenses that you can be charged with in North Carolina:

Schedule of Drivers License Points
	5 Points Passing a stopped school bus
	4 Points Reckless driving Hit and run, property damage only Following too closely Driving on the wrong side of the road Illegal passing
	3 Points Running through a stop sign Speeding in excess of 55 miles per hour Failing to yield right-of-way Running through red light No driver’s license or license expired for more than one year Failure to stop for siren Driving through safety zone No liability insurance Failure to report an accident where such report is required Speeding in a school zone in excess of the posted school zone speed limit
	2 Points All other moving violations not listed Failure to property restrain a child in a restraint or seat belt
	1 Point Littering involving use of a motor vehicle
	0 Points Seatbelt violation Improper Equipment/plates/registration/muffler/inspection sticker display
	12 Points Manslaughter (or negligent homicide) resulting from the operation of a motor vehicle Prearranged highway racing or knowingly lending a motor vehicle to be used in a prearranged race Failure to stop and render aid when involved in an accident resulting in bodily injury or death Impaired driving Transportation of intoxicating liquors for the purpose of sale
	10 Points Highway racing (not prearranged) or knowingly lending a motor vehicle to be used in the race Speeding to elude
	8 Points Operating a motor vehicle during a period of revocation or suspension of either the driver’s license or vehicle registration
	4 Points Failure to stop and report when involved in a motor vehicle accident resulting in property damage only (hit-and-run) Reckless driving Passing a stopped school bus Speeding in excess of 75 miles per hour (mph) when posted limit is less than 70 mph Speeding in excess of 80 mph when limit is 70 mph or greater Driving by a person under 21 after consuming alcohol or drugs
	3 Points Each at-fault accident that results in bodily injury (in excess of $1,800.00) or death or total property damage (including the insured’s property) of $3,000.00 or more
	2 Points Illegal passing Speeding more than 10 mph over the limit, if total speed was in excess of 55 mph but less than 76 mph Speeding 10 miles or less in excess of limit in speed zone of 55 or greater. (Points are not assessed for this violation unless the same driver has been convicted of at least one other moving violation during the experience period, which is the last three years) Following too closely Driving on the wrong side of the road Each at-fault accident that results in total damage to all property which is in excess of $1,800.00 but less than $3,000.00
	1 Point Speeding 10 mph or less in excess of a speed limit of less than 55 mph (Points are not assessed for this violation unless the same driver has been convicted of at least one other moving violation during the experience period, which is the last three years) Any other moving violation Each at-fault accident that results in total damage of $1,800.00 or less (Points are not assessed for this violation unless the same driver has been convicted of at least one other moving violation during the experience period, which is the last three years)
The number of insurance points a driver receives will determine the surcharge which will be added to their insurance costs. See the surcharge table below:
Insurance Surcharge Table
	One	25 %
	Two	45 %
	Three	65 %
	Four	90 %
	Five	120 %
	Six	150 %
	Seven	180 %
	Eight	220 %
	Nine	260 %
	Ten	300 %
	Eleven	350 %
	Twelve	400 %

“Traffic and Insurance Points.” http://www.ncsu.edu. 4 March 2005. North Carolina State University.
14 April 2009 http://www.ncsu.edu/stud_affairs/legal_services/legaldocs/Trafficpoints.htm.

We can be of great assistance to you in traffic offenses by saving you insurance and
license points in almost every traffic case. Often, we can appear on your behalf without you personally being in Court which saves you from missing valuable time at work or home. Having over forty years of combined experience in the Ninth District, we have the experience that can greatly assist you in a traffic matter.

DWI

Driving While Impaired is a very serious misdemeanor in the State of North Carolina. A person who is convicted of a DWI, even on their first offense, will have their license revoked for a year, their car insurance rates will increase 400%, and could receive active jail time. It is imperative to have legal representation when you are charged with a DWI. Watson Dunlow & Wilkinson, P.A., can assist you in presenting defenses that you may not be aware of and advise you of the legal complexities. Even if you plead guilty or are found guilty, we assist you in minimizing the punishment you may receive or help you with obtaining a Limited Driving Permit. If we can be of service to you, please call our office to schedule your free consultation.

OTHER CRIMINAL OFFENSES

Any time you are charged with a criminal offense, it is important to seek the advice and counsel of an attorney. Many criminal offenses, even misdemeanors, can subject you to jail time. Even if you do not receive active jail time, there are severe consequences to receiving a criminal conviction. For example, a criminal conviction remains on your permanent record for life. Also, convictions can limit your ability to get a job, rent an apartment, receive credit and other valuable benefits and rights in our society.

At Watson, Dunlow & Wilkinson, P.A., we have extensive experience in the area of Criminal Law. We have represented people with offenses that range from first degree murder to littering. We take every case seriously and provide a vigorous defense to all cases.

We believe that it is important to contact an attorney as soon as possible when you have been charged or think you will be charged with a crime. Often, clients will make statements to the police that may be harmful to their case without first seeking the advice and counsel of an attorney. Furthermore, over the years, we have heard defendants proclaim that they do not need an attorney because they are innocent. If you are innocent and have been charged with a crime, you need an attorney more than anyone else, since you have been wrongly accused of something you did not do.

If we can be of service to you, please call our office to schedule your free consultation.