Traffic Defense · Greensboro · High Point · Guilford & Rockingham County, NC
Greensboro Traffic Ticket & Speeding Lawyer
It may seem convenient, but paying a ticket online without consulting a traffic lawyer can be dangerous. Even a simple speeding ticket can have serious consequences for your driver’s license. It is important to have a qualified Greensboro traffic attorney help you navigate the complicated driving laws in North Carolina. The North Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles has the ability to temporarily suspend or revoke your privilege to drive for a variety of reasons including, but not limited to: accumulating points on your license, failing to pay traffic fines, failing to appear in court, pleading guilty to high speeds or multiple speeding tickets within a certain period of time, or certain types of convictions like driving while impaired or fleeing to elude arrest.
WHY THIS MATTERS
A "Simple" Traffic Ticket Isn't Simple
Whether you've been charged with speeding, driving with a revoked license, hit and run, or any other traffic violation, pleading guilty by paying the ticket can suspend or revoke your license and raise your insurance rates for years. An experienced Greensboro traffic lawyer may be able to get your charges reduced, negotiate a Prayer for Judgment Continued (PJC), or in some cases get the citation dismissed entirely — protecting both your license and your insurance rate.
The North Carolina DMV can suspend or revoke your driving privilege for a wide range of reasons: accumulating too many points, failing to pay fines, failing to appear in court, pleading guilty to high-speed charges or multiple speeding tickets in a short period, or convictions for offenses like DWI or fleeing to elude arrest. Each of these has a different path back to a valid license — and the wrong move early on can make that path longer.
DRIVER’S LICENSE POINTS AND INSURANCE POINTS
How Traffic Tickets Affect Your Record in NC
North Carolina runs two separate point systems that both trigger upon a conviction: DMV License Points (which can lead to a license suspension at 12 points within 3 years) and DOI Insurance Points (which directly raise your premium, often for 3 years per violation). Below are the most common violations and how they're typically scored.
| VIOLATION | DMV LICENSE POINTS | INSURANCE POINTS | TYPICAL FINE RANGE* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Speeding 1-9 mph over limit | 2 | 1 | $20-$50 + court costs |
| Speeding 10+ mph over limit | 3 | 2 | $25-$50 + court costs |
| Speeding in excess of posted limit while passing a school bus / school zone | 4 | 2-4 | Varies but often elevated charge |
| Reckless Driving | 4 | 4 (12 if combined with at-fault accident) | Up to $200 + court costs |
| Following Too Closely | 4 | 2 | $25-$50 + court costs |
| Running a Red Light / Stop Sign | 3 | 2 | $25-$50 + court costs |
| Failure to yield | 3 | 2 | $25-$50 + court costs |
| Improper Passing | 4 | 2 | $25-$50 + court costs |
| No Operators License / Expired License | 2 | 1 | $25-$50 + court costs |
| Hit and Run (property damage) | 2 | 1 | Class 2 Misdemeanor |
| Driving While License Revoked (DWLR) | 0–12 (varies by underlying reason) | 4 (DWI revocation: major surcharge tier) | Class 1-3 Misdemeanor. Possible jail time depending on underlying reason |
*Fine ranges are general estimates for informational purposes only. Actual fines, court costs, and insurance impact vary by case, prior record, and how the charge is ultimately resolved. This is not a guarantee of outcome.
CHARGES WE HANDLE
Traffic & Driving Charges We Defend in Guilford County
From routine speeding tickets to serious misdemeanor driving charges, we represent clients throughout the Greensboro–High Point metro on the full range of traffic and driving-related charges.
The most common traffic citation in Guilford County. Even a "minor" speeding ticket adds points to your license and triggers an insurance surcharge if paid as charged. We routinely negotiate reductions to lower speeds or non-moving violations that carry no DMV points.
Infraction or Class 3 MisdemeanorAny speed 26 mph or more above the posted limit, or any speed of 90 mph or above regardless of the limit, is "high speed" in Guilford County. These cases carry a potential 1-year license revocation and the DA's office rarely reduces them outright — but driving school and community service can sometimes resolve them favorably. See our full section below.
Up to 1-Year RevocationCharged when an officer believes a driver operated a vehicle "carelessly and heedlessly" in willful or wanton disregard for others' rights or safety. Often charged alongside high-speed tickets or after accidents. Carries the possibility of jail time, even for a first offense.
Class 2 MisdemeanorOne of the most heavily charged offenses in Guilford County. The penalty depends entirely on why your license was revoked in the first place — DWLR for an unpaid fine is treated very differently than DWLR due to an impaired driving revocation. See our dedicated DWLR breakdown below.
Class 1, 2, or 3 Misdemeanor (varies)Leaving the scene of an accident — even a minor "fender bender" — without stopping and providing information is a separate criminal charge from any property damage or injury involved. The severity scales sharply if the accident involved injury or death.
Class 1 Misd. – Class H FelonyFleeing or attempting to evade a law enforcement officer while operating a vehicle. Becomes a felony if certain aggravating factors are present. This is one of the most serious traffic-adjacent charges and should never be handled without an attorney.
Class 1 Misd. or Class H/F FelonyDriving without a valid license — whether it was never obtained, expired, or you're an out-of-state driver with licensing issues. Often resolved quickly once proof of a valid license is provided, but ignoring it can lead to an order for arrest.
Infraction or Class 3 MisdemeanorDriving with expired registration, or with plates/tags that don't match the vehicle, are common citations that compound quickly if not addressed — including potential vehicle impoundment in repeat cases.
Infraction or Class 3 MisdemeanorPassing a stopped school bus with its lights activated is treated as a serious safety violation in Guilford County, with enhanced penalties if a child was struck. Even without injury, this carries significant DMV points and fines well above a standard speeding ticket.
Class 1 Misd. (enhanced if injury occurs)Manually entering text or composing/reading messages while operating a vehicle. A relatively low-fine infraction on its own, but it can become significant evidence in a more serious case and is worth addressing properly.
InfractionA low-level infraction, but it carries DMV points and can be used as a basis for a traffic stop that leads to additional charges. We can often resolve these with minimal cost and no points.
InfractionIllegal window tint, missing or non-functioning equipment are common "stacked" charges added to a citation alongside speeding or other moving violations. Often resolved together with the primary charge.
InfractionAggressive driving combines speeding with one or more additional violations. Racing — including street racing — carries enhanced penalties including possible vehicle seizure for repeat offenses.
Class 1 MisdemeanorIf your vehicle was seized because someone else was driving while revoked or impaired, you may be entitled to its return as an innocent owner if you didn't know and had no reason to know the driver's status. This requires filing within a strict time window.
Civil Process — Time SensitiveHIGH-SPEED CASES
What Qualifies as "High Speed" in Guilford County?
Under North Carolina law, driving 26 mph or more above the posted speed limit, or driving 90 mph or above regardless of the posted speed limit, is considered "high speed" — and it triggers consequences well beyond a normal speeding ticket. This classification is based purely on the speed itself, regardless of whether the officer charged the driver with reckless driving.
If a driver in Greensboro is charged with reckless driving and the speed was 25 mph over the limit or below 90 mph, it is not a high-speed case, and no additional steps are required beyond resolving the underlying charge.
If you've been cited for high speed anywhere in Guilford or Rockingham County — including on I-40, I-85, US-29, or Wendover Avenue — call us before your court date. The earlier we're involved, the more options remain on the table.
DRIVING WHILE LICENSE REVOKED
Not All DWLR Charges Are The Same
"Driving While License Revoked" is one of the most common charges we see in Guilford County — and one of the most misunderstood. The severity depends entirely on why your license was revoked in the first place. A DWLR stemming from an unpaid ticket is treated very differently from a DWLR stemming from a DWI-related revocation.
In many DWLR cases, the most effective strategy isn't fighting the new charge in isolation — it's resolving the underlying reason your license was revoked in the first place. We routinely help clients clear up old "failure to appear" cases that are quietly sitting in the background, which can resolve both the old case and the new DWLR charge together
PRAYER FOR JUDGEMENT CONTINUED
What Is a PJC and Can It Help You?
A Prayer for Judgment Continued (PJC) is a unique tool in North Carolina traffic court. When a judge grants a PJC, the court finds you responsible or guilty but doesn't enter a final judgment — meaning, in many cases, no DMV points and no insurance points are assessed for that violation.
Most insurance companies generally recognize only one Prayer for Judgment Continued (PJC) every three years for insurance purposes. Because of that limitation, deciding when to use a PJC can have long-term consequences.
High-speed charges involving 26 mph or more over the speed limit, or speeds of 90 mph or higher, generally are not eligible for a standard PJC and often require a different defense strategy.
A PJC may still appear on your driving record for certain purposes. For commercial driver's license (CDL) holders, a PJC may not prevent DMV or federal consequences.
A PJC is generally most effective for routine speeding tickets and other minor traffic violations. It is a valuable tool, but it is not the right solution for every traffic charge.
OUT-OF-STATE DRIVERS
Got a Ticket in Greensboro But Live in Another State?
Greensboro sits at the intersection of I-40 and I-85 — two of the busiest interstate corridors on the East Coast. We regularly help drivers who were just passing through North Carolina and got a citation in Guilford County, and now live hours (or states) away.
The good news: for most traffic infractions and misdemeanors, you do not need to return to North Carolina to resolve your ticket. An attorney can often appear on your behalf, negotiate a resolution, and handle the matter without you missing work or driving back. This is especially important because many states are part of the Driver License Compact, meaning a conviction in North Carolina can be reported to your home state and affect your license there too, which makes how the NC case is resolved even more important.
COMMERCIAL DRIVERS
CDL Holders Face Different Rules
If you hold a Commercial Driver's License (CDL), the stakes on even a routine ticket are significantly higher. Federal regulations apply additional, stricter rules to CDL holders, including for violations that occurred in a personal vehicle, not just a commercial one.
Critically, a PJC generally does not prevent a conviction from counting against a CDL the way it might for a regular license — federal rules require the conviction to be reported regardless. Two serious violations within three years can result in a 60-day CDL disqualification; three result in 120 days. If your livelihood depends on your CDL, the strategy for handling even a "minor" ticket needs to be different from the start. Call us before you respond to any citation if you hold a CDL.
LIMITED DRIVING PRIVILEGES
Limited Privileges to Drive
A limited driving privilege is a court order that allows you to drive during specific times for limited purposes — even while your license is otherwise revoked or suspended. Just because your license has been suspended doesn't always mean you have no way to get to work, school, or medical appointments.
For drivers facing a 30-day civil revocation pending a DWI charge, a limited driving privilege may be available after the required waiting period, allowing essential driving while the underlying case proceeds.
When a license is revoked for refusing a chemical test, a separate limited driving privilege process applies, with its own eligibility requirements, waiting periods, and procedural rules.
Drivers facing a one-year revocation following a high-speed conviction may have options depending on the circumstances of the conviction and their prior driving history.
Certain DWI-related revocations require an ignition interlock device before a limited driving privilege can be issued. We help clients navigate the eligibility requirements, installation process, and vendor requirements.
Limited privileges allow driving for work, school, household maintenance, worship, medical needs, and community service or substance abuse treatment — but only during the specific times and for the specific purposes the court order allows. Violating the terms of a limited privilege carries its own serious consequences. Contact us to find out whether you qualify.
LICENSE RESTORATION SERVICES
Getting Your License Back in North Carolina
If your license has been suspended or revoked, we can help you develop a plan to get it back. Each person's situation is different depending on the reason for the revocation, but here's how we typically approach it.
| Issue Preventing Restoration | Typical Resolution | Likelihood |
|---|---|---|
| Unpaid Fines & Court Costs | There may be a process to have a judge evaluate your fees and court costs to determine whether you qualify for relief. If granted, this can remove one of the biggest obstacles to restoring your license. | Often Available |
| Old Failure-to-Appear Cases | Old traffic cases sitting in failure-to-appear status are often the hidden reason a license remains revoked. Resolving these—sometimes years later—is often straightforward and can immediately restore eligibility. | Common Fix |
| High-Speed & DWI Revocations | Drivers revoked because of a high-speed conviction or a DWI-related matter may qualify for a limited driving privilege depending on the circumstances. We evaluate what remaining steps stand between you and a restored license. | Case-Specific |
| Orders for Arrest (OFA) | Outstanding Orders for Arrest related to traffic matters—including failures to appear—should be addressed immediately. We can often determine the status and work to have the order recalled before it results in an arrest. | Immediate Attention |
We typically begin with a license restoration assessment to map out exactly what stands between you and a valid license, then build a step-by-step plan from there.
WHY CHOOSE OUR FIRM
Experienced Guilford County Traffic Ticket Attorneys
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Board Certified in Criminal Law
Brennan Aberle and Julie Connolly are among fewer than 4% of NC attorneys certified as Criminal Law Specialists by the NC State Bar.
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Julie Connolly and paralegal Jeremy Cruz speak fluent Spanish for direct communication with Spanish-speaking clients.
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We Find the Root Cause
In many traffic ticket situations, you will never have to appear in court yourself; we appear on your behalf, saving you a day off work.
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13+ Years in the Triad
Aberle and Connolly have practiced law in the Piedmont Triad area for a combined average of 13 years, representing clients from Greensboro, High Point, Summerfield, Jamestown, Oak Ridge, Pleasant Garden, and Stokesdale.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Your Traffic Ticket Questions Answered
Should I just pay my speeding ticket online?
We generally recommend against it. Paying a ticket is legally the same as pleading guilty — you'll receive DMV points, an insurance surcharge (often lasting 3 years), and the conviction stays on your driving record. For many tickets, an attorney can negotiate a reduction to a non-moving violation or a PJC that results in no points at all, often for a similar or only slightly higher cost than the fine itself, once you factor in 3 years of higher insurance premiums.
Do I have to go to court for my traffic ticket?
In most traffic ticket situations, no — we can appear on your behalf, and you'll never have to take time off work or travel to the courthouse. There are exceptions for certain charges (such as some high-speed cases, DWLR, or anything with a mandatory court appearance), which we'll flag for you up front.
What happens if I ignore a traffic ticket?
Ignoring a ticket typically results in a failure-to-appear notation, which can lead to your license being revoked and, in some cases, an Order for Arrest being issued. This makes the situation significantly worse than the original ticket. If you've already missed a court date, call us — we can often check the status of your case and work to resolve it.
I got a ticket in Greensboro but I live in another state — what do I do?
Don't ignore it. In most cases, an attorney can resolve an out-of-state traffic ticket without you needing to return to North Carolina. Because many states share driving record information through the Driver License Compact, how this ticket is resolved can affect your license back home — so it's worth handling correctly the first time. See our section on out-of-state drivers above.
How many points until my license is suspended in NC?
Accumulating 12 DMV points within any 3-year period can result in a license suspension in North Carolina. Separately, the NC DOI insurance point system affects your premiums independently of your license status — so even tickets that don't put your license at risk can still cost you significantly through insurance increases.
What's the difference between a PJC and a dismissal?
A dismissal means the charge goes away entirely — no conviction, no points, nothing on your record related to that citation. A PJC means the court found you responsible/guilty but withheld entering judgment, which in many (but not all) cases results in no DMV or insurance points. Dismissals are generally the better outcome when available, but PJCs are a valuable tool — especially since you typically can only use one for insurance purposes every 3 years, so timing matters.
My license is revoked — can I still drive at all?
Possibly, through a limited driving privilege, which is a court order allowing driving during specific times for specific purposes like work, school, or medical needs. Eligibility depends on why your license was revoked and your driving history. See our section on limited driving privileges above, or call us for a license restoration assessment.
I have a CDL — does this change anything?
Yes, significantly. Federal regulations apply stricter rules to CDL holders, including for violations in a personal vehicle, and a PJC generally does not prevent a conviction from being reported against your CDL. Two serious violations within three years can disqualify your CDL for 60 days; three for 120 days. If you hold a CDL, call us before responding to any citation — the right approach is different from a standard license.
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What Our Clients Say
★★★★★
"I had received a speeding ticket and I had forgot all about my court date. When I looked last minute on google I found Aberle and Connolly. They handled my speeding ticket last minute and with no hesitation, taking their time to listen to my needs, and I came out with a very positive ending."
— LATORIA SMITH, GOOGLE
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"Attorney Julie Connolly is just one of the kindest people we've ever met. I highly recommend her! She is kind, efficient, friendly, speaks fluent Spanish, and most importantly, she gets results."
— JOSHUA, GOOGLE
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"I feel confident we may not have gotten the same results if we would have gone elsewhere. Mr. Aberle goes the extra mile. We cannot thank him enough!"
— CHRISTINA MOOREHEAD, GOOGLE
WHERE WE PRACTICE
Serving Greensboro, High Point & all of Guilford County
Got a Ticket in Greensboro or High Point?
Don't Pay It Yet.
Call now for a free consultation — find out your options before you plead guilty and pay the fine. (336) 802-1090 Free 30-minute consultation · Available 8am–5pm · Se Habla Español