Getting a traffic ticket is never a pleasant experience. You may be tempted to accept your punishment to resolve your criminal case quickly. However, if you take this approach, you face many hidden costs, like increased insurance premiums and demerit points on your driving record long after you pay your fine and serve any jail sentence.
If you've received a citation in Mecklenburg County, you may be able to get your traffic ticket reduced. At Browning & Long, PLLC, our experienced Mecklenburg County traffic lawyers can explain your options and will work hard to minimize the consequences of your traffic violations.
What Is the Traffic Ticket Reduction Process in Mecklenburg County?
If you are going to try to get a traffic ticket reduction, you need to understand what this process entails. To begin the process of getting your Mecklenburg County traffic ticket reduced, you'll need to:
- Request a court date. When you receive your ticket, you typically have three options: pay the fine, fight the ticket, or try to reduce your citation to a less serious offense. You'll need to request a court date to seek a traffic ticket reduction.
- Gather evidence. Collect any evidence that could help your case, such as photos of unclear road signs or witness statements if someone can testify to your driving behavior.
- Appear in court. At your court hearing, you can present your case to the judge and request a reduction. Having our knowledgeable traffic lawyers by your side can significantly improve your chances of a favorable outcome.
What Defenses Can Our Traffic Ticket Lawyers Use to Get Your Traffic Ticket Reduced?
At Browning & Long, our Mecklenburg County traffic lawyers are former prosecutors who draw on a deep understanding of North Carolina traffic laws and extensive courtroom experience to build strong cases for traffic ticket reductions. One way we do this is to raise your defenses to fight the citation. Some of the most effective defenses we may employ in your case include:
- Challenging the officer's observations. We may argue that the officer's view was obstructed, the radar equipment was faulty, or the officer misinterpreted your actions. If we can cast doubt on the officer's observations, it may be possible to get your ticket reduced or dismissed entirely.
- Disputing the prosecutor's case. Sometimes, we may challenge the prosecution's evidence or argue that they have not met their burden of proof. If the prosecutor's case has holes or inconsistencies, we can use this to push for a traffic ticket reduction or dismissal of the case against you.
- Raising constitutional violations of your rights. If your rights were violated during the traffic stop or ticketing process, we may be able to use this as a defense. For example, if the officer did not have probable cause to stop you, conducted an illegal search, or failed to inform you of your rights properly, we could argue that any evidence obtained should be suppressed.
- Presenting evidence of extenuating circumstances. If there were unique circumstances that contributed to the alleged violation, such as a medical emergency or mechanical issue with your vehicle, we can present this evidence to seek leniency from the court. A judge may be more likely to reduce your ticket if there were compelling reasons for your actions.
- Demonstrating your good driving record. If you have a history of safe driving, we can use this to your advantage. Judges are often more willing to offer reductions to drivers with clean records who are unlikely to reoffend. We may argue that the alleged violation was an isolated incident that doesn't reflect your overall driving habits.
- Negotiating with the prosecutor. In some cases, we may be able to negotiate directly with the prosecutor to reach a plea deal that reduces your ticket to a lesser offense. Our attorneys are skilled negotiators who know how to effectively advocate for your interests and reach agreements that minimize the impact on your driving record.
- Arguing the ticket down to a non-moving violation. When possible, we will fight to reduce your moving violation to a non-moving offense, such as faulty equipment. This can help you avoid points on your license and keep your insurance rates low. We may be able to make this argument if there are weaknesses in the evidence against you.
- Using a Prayer for Judgment Continued (PJC). In certain cases, we may be able to request a PJC from the judge. With a PJC, you plead guilty to the offense, but the judge agrees to withhold judgment, meaning no conviction is entered on your record. This can be a good option if you have a clean record and want to avoid insurance rate hikes.
While every case is unique, our Charlotte traffic lawyers have a proven track record of successfully employing these and other defense strategies to minimize the impact of traffic tickets for our clients. We will carefully analyze the facts of your case to determine the most effective approach for achieving a favorable outcome.
What Are the Other Benefits of Hiring Our Mecklenburg County Traffic Lawyer to Seek a Traffic Ticket Reduction?
At Browning & Long, PLLC, our dedicated traffic lawyers understand that a ticket can mean more than just a fine—it can lead to higher insurance premiums, points on your license, and even a driver's license suspension by the North Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles. That's why we fight tenaciously for the best possible resolution in every case we handle.
In addition to raising your defenses, here are several advantages of having our legal team represent you:
- Knowledge of the system. Our traffic lawyers understand the local courts and can effectively navigate the legal process on your behalf.
- Negotiation skills. We know how to negotiate with prosecutors and judges to reach the best possible outcome in your case.
- Time savings. Handling a traffic ticket takes time—time you may not have between work and family obligations. When you hire us, we’ll handle the heavy lifting for you and may be able to represent you at court hearings without you having to attend them.
- Improved outcomes. With our legal knowledge and negotiation skills, our traffic lawyers can secure a more favorable reduction than you can achieve on your own.If you've received a traffic ticket in Mecklenburg County, don't just pay the fine and accept the consequences. Please read our testimonials to see how we’ve helped clients like you. Then contact our lawyers today to discuss your options for a traffic ticket reduction.
