THSCC Forums

A...uh...friend...got a ticket going 47 in a 35 in Raleigh. He's got a stack of mail from various attorneys, but would love to hear some recommendations.

Have "your friend" take a half day off of work, go to the Wake County Courthouse, stand in line with the ticket in hand at the DA station, get it reduced to 9 over (ie no points) pay the fine in cash ($130) and then grab a bite at Char Grill.

Seriously, you ask the DA, "What's the best that you can do with this?" and he'll answer 9 over. He doesn't care if you have a prior history or not, and won't look at a printout even if you have one. His job is to turn and burn the tax for the county.

Or you can pay a stranger $300+ for the exact same result.

Thoughts about making this topic a sticky given this crowd?

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Has no responsibility whatsoever.

I'd go myself, but the timing is prohibitive (edit: for my friend). Good advice though.

That would be your uh....friend would go ....

We're really good friends.

The real question is, is a half day of your time worth $300.00 +.
I don't make $600 a day so I go to the DA. The last ticket I paid to get out of cost me $425......So now I spend the time at the DA's office.

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2004 C5(415whp,390ft/lbs),
1997C5,1997Trans Am, 1986 C4,
1990 Miata, 1976 MGB,1997 Protege, 1989 MR2

It's never a half day anyway. I can be usually in and out within 2 hours and I don't make $150 an hour (and wouldn't take off any work for it anyway) - AB

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'14 Toyota Sequoia Platinum 4WD
Super Westerfield Bros - '93 Integra - LeChump Du Jour
STX 93 - Scion FR-S

9 over is still points and increased insurance.

I've paid the extra $100 and had a lawyer handle it for me and my 15+ over was reduced to improper equipment. Insurance wasn't notified. I was happy.

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Beauty is in the eye of the beer holder.

No it isn't Chris. Only if you have other priors does 9 over affect your rates. It's one license point, but no insurance points. - AB (who's wife is a NC attorney and has had at least five 9 overs in his 13 years in NC, all self negotiated)

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'14 Toyota Sequoia Platinum 4WD
Super Westerfield Bros - '93 Integra - LeChump Du Jour
STX 93 - Scion FR-S

Last ticket, I spoke with Cline about this. Even though there aren't any "official" insurance points, you can still lose all kinds of safe driver discounts. It's pretty underhanded.

At the time with like 6 insured vehicles we determined it would cost me $2000 over 5 years to lose the discounts.

I called an attorney and told him honestly I had $1000 to spend. He charged the usual, I think it was like $200. I think I said "if I pay you more than that is there any way to increase chances of getting off". He said no, wouldn't take more money Last 2 tickets in our household have both been reduced to improper equipment.

The last 2 tickets I did myself at the DA I was only able to get reduced to 9 over. I'll always be using an attorney from now on. They have a better track record than I do, and I'm certainly saving money in the long run with an improper equip + attorney fees versus DIY+9 over.

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Mike Whitney
whit32@gmail.com, 919-454-5445
V10, V8, V8t, I6, I6, V6, F4t, I4, I4, I4, I4, I2, 1, 1

And while I agree with you Mike, the use of "improper equipment" doesn't fly in all counties. Five years ago in Wake county, no lawyer could plead you down to "improper equipment" because it wasn't a viable plea on the books. As different political regimes come into play, those rules change. - AB

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'14 Toyota Sequoia Platinum 4WD
Super Westerfield Bros - '93 Integra - LeChump Du Jour
STX 93 - Scion FR-S

Mike W. -

You seem happy with your results. You did you use? I'd prefer not to chose too randomly.

Aaron's right in that both my tickets were outside Wake county so I can't help with a name.

I screened all the letters I received, tossed the ones that gave me a bad vibe (scare tactics or too high-volume-shop sounding) then called ALL the rest. Asked a lot of questions about what they could get it reduced to, went with the ones who sounded the most competent and/or were related to the judge

Heck if all the attorneys you talk to say they can get it to 9 over only, then by all means go to the courthouse yourself!

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Mike Whitney
whit32@gmail.com, 919-454-5445
V10, V8, V8t, I6, I6, V6, F4t, I4, I4, I4, I4, I2, 1, 1

Did we not have the discussion that if you get a ticket call me and I will advise you how things will effect your insurance????? Of course this would not be legal advice as I do not have a license to practice law. Nevertheless, Mike is correct on everything.

The insurance market in NC is getting ready to get HARD. Meaning companies are going to be harder to deal with, tougher underwriting, higher prices, etc. etc.. You don't want an insurance company to know you got caught chewing gum in 6th grade.

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2002 MCS, 2003 MCS Track Rat, 2003 Generic White Yukon, 2003 BMWk1200rs, 1973 CB350F, 02 996. 08 Cayenne Turbo
http://www.clinehallagency.com