I drove to Myrtle Beach and received a speeding ticket in Nash county NC for 87 in a 70 mph. The ticket says I must show up in court. Is there anyone here with North Carolina driving offense experience. I could use the help. By the way, I was driving a rental, not my 8.

 

More than likely you will get a ton of offers in the mail from local lawyers who will go to court and appear for you. You don't have to show up this way. Usually they will either get it reduced or get you a PJC depending on your driving record.

 

What is a PJC? Also, do you know the penalties, fines, etc.?

 

A PJC is a "Prayer For Judgement Continued" (I think that's what it stands for) What it means is they will suspend the ticket so long as you don't get another one in NC in the next three years. You still have to pay the court costs which will be around $110 but the ticket will not go on your insurance or your driving record. The downside is that if you do get another ticket within three years then they will fine you for both of them. The lawyer will probably cost you around $100. IMO it is better to just pay the lawyer and avoid the increase in insurance rates and the cost of showing up in court; especially if you are out of town.

I followed this same path with a ticket I got last year and it worked out fine. If you have a habit of getting a lot of tickets then this may not be the way to go.

On a side note, I think it is a racket and a whole bunch of BS but the fact is they are going to get their money one way or another. Either you're gonna pay the lawyer or you're gonna pay the judge, so you're better off limiting the damages on your insurance premiums. That is my opinion and I am not a lawyer but I did stay at a Holiday Inn last night.

 

Thanks for the help. I'm already getting solicited from lawyers from NC. I will look in to the PJC. I don't need the points.

 

yep, got one in NC a few years back. A money making scam for sure. Had to hire a lawyer to take care of it. IIRC it was 350 for the ambulance chaser and 150 for the court jester.