Improper Equipment Cleveland County

 

What is Improper Equipment in North Carolina?

Improper equipment is a violation of North Carolina traffic law such as a faulty speedometer (N.C.G.S 20-123.2) that carries no points on either your drivers license or insurance. It is also one of the best options for getting your traffic citation reduced to a non-moving violation.

Can I get Improper Equipment for a ticket I received in Lincoln County?

In Lincoln County a person may only receive one reduction from a moving violation to improper equipment every three years, without regard to what county the improper equipment was acquired. In order to get a speeding ticket reduced to improper equipment, you may be required to take a 4-hour defensive driving course.

Generally, the district attorney's office in Lincoln County does not require you to take a defensive driving course to get improper equipment unless you were (1) speeding more than 20 miles over the speed limit, or (2) 18 years old or under at the time you received the citation. Under no circumstances will the district attorney grant a reduction to improper equipment if you are ticketed for speeding in excess of 25 mph over the speed limit.

What are the court costs for Improper Equipment in Lincoln County?

The court costs and fines for improper equipment total $263 in Lincoln County. While this may be approximately $50 more than the amount to pay off your ticket (if it is a payable offense), you should consider the long term affect that a moving violation would have on your insurance premium and recognize that you will most likely save much more than that on insurance premiums over the next few years.

Can I have time to pay my court costs in Lincoln County?

Ordinarily, the court requires that the court costs and fines be paid on the date that your traffic citation is reduced. In the event that you fail to pay your fees on that date, you will be given 20 days from the date of disposition to pay your court costs for an additional $20 fee. However, if you do not pay your court costs within that 20 day time frame, a failure to appear will be entered and you will have to pay an additional $200 for the failure to appear fee. An attorney may be able to help you get the failure to appear stricken along with the $200 fee.  

Does Improper Equipment add any points to my insurance?

No, improper equipment is a non-moving violation that carries no points on your license or insurance. 

Do I need an attorney to get Improper Equipment?

No, you do not have to have an attorney to get a citation reduced to improper equipment. However, there are a few reasons you should consider hiring an attorney for your traffic ticket, even if it doesn't seem like a big deal:

  1. A minor ticket, if not handled properly, could result in a suspended or revoked license and increased insurance costs.Before you decide to simply pay your citation or plead guilty, we want to make sure you understand that even a simple speeding ticket or other minor traffic violation, if not handled properly, can have severe long-term consequences and could even result in a suspended or revoked license and increased insurance costs.
  2. You may be able to get your charge reduced or dismissed.In many cases, there may be alternatives to pleading guilty or responsible to a specific charge. To determine which alternative is best, these alternatives must be carefully considered, examining each person's driving history and the type of charge at issue.
  3. You may not be required to come to court. Many people do not have the ability to take time off from work or to travel back to Lincoln County to come to court.  But even if you are able to come to court, you will likely be one of hundreds of people who has to spend hours of your valuable time waiting for your turn. However, by retaining our firm to represent you, we can negotiate on your behalf to get the best possible outcome, and in most cases, you will not have to be present.
  4. We know the best results you can get.We work in the Lincoln County courthouse nearly every day and understand how the system works and what the best outcomes are. You can trust that we will take all measures necessary to achieve the best results for you.

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