Eric Skager Law can help you if you’ve been issued a traffic ticket in Greensboro. Getting a ticket is certainly inconvenient, but it’s not something you should try to brush off or ignore. At the same time, it’s also not something that you just have to accept. You have options, and my firm can help you through it all. Set up a free consultation today to learn more.

Does It Make Sense to Talk to a Lawyer?

Traffic tickets are handed out everyday in Greensboro, and while it might not seem like a big deal at first, things can change pretty quickly depending on what you’ve been cited for. That can mean points on your license, higher insurance rates, fines, and other problems that can make your life more difficult.

Before you simply pay the ticket and move on, it’s worth knowing what you’re dealing with. That’s why it makes sense to talk to my firm, where we can help you by:

• Explaining what the ticket actually means
• Going over your options with you
• Looking at the circumstances surrounding the traffic stop
• Helping you understand what could happen to your license and insurance
• Handling the court process if you need to fight the ticket

Just because a ticket seems small in the moment doesn’t mean it can’t morph into something else. But there’s also a process behind every ticket that’s given out here in Greensboro, so it’s helpful to know how that works before you decide how to handle it.

How the Traffic Ticket Process Works in Greensboro

Getting a traffic ticket in Greensboro starts a legal process that you’ll unfortunately need to deal with in one way or another. That obviously brings up questions about what you need to do, but before you get there, you have to look at the underlying steps that start when you’re actually being stopped and ticketed. From there, you have a few different things you can do:

• You can pay the ticket. Some tickets can be handled by paying the required fine and court costs. But paying isn’t always something you should do without first understanding the consequences, because when you do, you’re pleading guilty to the charge.
• You can ask for a reduction. Depending on the ticket and your situation, you can ask to have the charge reduced or dismissed.
• You can go to court. If you want to fight the ticket, you can take the case to court in Guilford County. In some cases, my team can handle the court appearance for you.

The biggest thing is not to ignore the ticket. If there’s a court date or deadline, make sure you know what it is and take care of it. A ticket you forget about can turn into a much bigger problem later. With all that said, it’s also pretty dependent on the violation.

What Violations Could Get Me a Ticket in Greensboro?

There are plenty of ways to end up with a traffic ticket here in Greensboro. Maybe you were running late and went a little too fast on Wendover Avenue. Maybe you rolled through a stop sign. Or maybe you changed lanes without signaling while trying to get through traffic.

Everybody has done this at one point or another, but if you’re caught doing it, you could wind up with one of the following:

• Speeding. This is one of the most common reasons people get pulled over. Even a relatively small amount over the speed limit can result in a ticket and points on your driving record.
• Distracted driving. Looking down at your phone, texting, or doing something else that takes your attention away from driving can lead to a citation.
• Running a red light or stop sign. You’re expected to come to a complete stop when required. Rolling through an intersection can result in a ticket.
• Reckless driving. This is more serious than a basic speeding ticket. Excessive speeding, weaving through traffic, or other dangerous driving can lead to a reckless driving charge.
• Failure to yield. You can get a ticket if you fail to give another driver, pedestrian, or other person the right of way when you’re supposed to.
• Improper turns or lane changes. Forgetting to signal, turning from the wrong lane, or making an unsafe lane change can all result in a traffic ticket.
• DUI/DWI. Driving while impaired is a much more serious situation. A DWI can come with fines, license consequences, higher insurance costs, and other penalties. If you’ve been charged with DWI in Greensboro, you’ll want to understand your options before simply pleading guilty or paying anything.

Of course, these aren’t the only violations that can result in a ticket. The important thing is that every ticket is a little different. A speeding ticket and a DWI aren’t going to have the same consequences. Your specific charge and driving history matter, too. And when it’s that situational, information is going to be important.

Information That Can Help Me With a Traffic Ticket

Being pulled over and getting a ticket is usually only the start of things, but it’s also a good time to get a few basic pieces of information that can help you later:

• Your ticket that includes any dates, charges, or fines
• Your notes about what happened, while everything is still fresh
• Pictures of the intersection, signs, traffic signals, or road layout may be helpful. Dashcam footage can be useful, too
• Names and phone numbers of any witnesses
• Your previous driving history and insurance information

You don’t need to investigate your own case like a lawyer. But keeping this information together can make it much easier to understand what happened and figure out what to do next. The sooner you understand your options, the better. And a great way to do that is to reach out to my firm.

Frequently Asked Questions

What happens if I don’t take care of my traffic ticket?

Ignoring the ticket can make things worse. Depending on the situation, missing a court date or failing to resolve the ticket can lead to additional penalties and problems with your driving privileges.

Where will I go to court for a Greensboro traffic ticket?

Your citation should tell you where and when you need to appear. Traffic cases from Greensboro are generally handled through the Guilford County court system.

How long will a traffic ticket stay on my record?

That depends on the violation and how the case is resolved. Some convictions can add points to your driving record and affect your license or insurance.

Contact Eric Skager Law After a Traffic Ticket in Greensboro

Getting a traffic ticket can be frustrating. You may not know whether you should pay it, fight it, or even whether you have to go to court. And if you’re already dealing with a busy schedule, the last thing you probably want is another legal problem to figure out.

That’s where my firm can help. Eric Skager Law can look at your situation, explain your options, and help you figure out what to do next. Set up a free consultation today to get started.