In 99 % of the cases that I handle, I recommend that my clients NOT pay off a traffic violation.

Why?  The large majority of the time I can have the charges reduced or dismissed and save you driver’s license or insurance points.

Why do points matter?

Points from traffic violations can cause your license to be put into suspended status or (more likely) cause your insurance rates to increase.

As an experienced attorney, I can advise you as to the best way to handle your situation in order to eliminate or at least reduce your exposure to driver’s license and insurance points.

What is the big deal about insurance points?

Even one insurance point on your driver’s license allows your insurance company to increase your premiums by up to 25 % for three full years!  Two points can cause a 45 % increase and three points can cause a 65 % increase!  My fee to represent you pales in comparison to what insurance points can do to your pocket book.

How much do you charge?

$150.00 is my total fee for most traffic violations.

Don’t hesitate to call or email me.  I will be more than happy to fully explain my fee and quote you fixed, set cost that will not change.

What is your guarantee?

I guarantee that I will use my decade and a half’s worth of legal experience in the North Carolina justice system and trial courts to bring every resource to bare in an effort to minimize or eliminate any adverse impact from your traffic offense.

What is the most likely outcome in my case?

This is a very difficult question to answer as every case depends on several variables including your previous driving record, current traffic offense, the district attorney to whom your case is assigned, the judge who may hear your case, the knowledge and the experience of the attorney representing you.

Can I represent myself?

Absolutely!  If you have a clean driving history and have not attended traffic school in the last several years, you can attend court on your scheduled court date and, if you have charged with a minor traffic offense, the District Attorney’s office will very likely allow you to attend traffic school for several hours, pay fee for the school and your court costs.  Upon successfully attending traffic school, your charge will be reduced to improper equipment (a non-moving violation that carries no drivers license or insurance points).

Should I represent myself?

It depends on whether or not you’re qualified for and interested in attending driving school.  It also depends on how valuable your time is to you.  In most if not all of my cases, my clients waive their court appearances and I am able to resolve their cases so that they are not assessed with any points and they are not required to attend driving school.

Will you answer specific questions about my case without charging me a fee?

Absolutely!  I will happy to speak with you regarding your case and to tell you exactly what I think I can do for you, including the most likely outcome.

Will you guarantee a result?

No, but I can guarantee that if I get to court and realize that there is nothing I can do for you then I will to be happy to continue your case and turn the matter back over to you, as well as refund your fee.  After practicing for decade and a half I can tell you that I never been required to do this.  I have always been able to assist my clients.  I am not in the business of taking people’s money and performing no service.

What if you go into court on your own and run into a problem?

If you run into a problem on your first court appearance, simply ask the District Attorney for a continuance (there should be no problem getting one on the first court date) and call me.  I will be happy to enter an appearance and help you with your case.

What do I need to do to get your help?

Email me at thom@goolsbylaw.com or call my office at 800-956-4866 (910-763-3339) and we will be happy to begin assisting you.

If you live out of state, will a North Carolina traffic ticket affect your insurance rates?

I am a licensed North Carolina attorney and can only answer legal questions in my jurisdiction.  However, it is common that driving records and convictions are shared across the country.  North Carolina drivers can have their licenses and insurance affected by out of state traffic tickets.  By asking an attorney in your state, you may well find out that you can be hit with similar points and increased insurance rates.

The company will specify the items that you will need to bring with you to the storage site (for example, a photo ID, a certified copy of the release order, payment for the towing and storage costs).

If the vehicle is stored in Linden and you would prefer not to travel to Linden, Tarheel Specialties will tow it back to your location for a fee.

However, if the driver is convicted in District Court and appeals the conviction to Superior Court, your appeal of the release/forfeiture decision may have to be heard by the Superior Court.

There is a special procedure for totaled vehicles.

* 90 days have passed since the date of seizure and the vehicle has a fair market value of $1,500 or less,
* the accumulated towing and storage costs exceed 85% of the fair market value, or
* the owner of the vehicle has consented to the sale.

Tarheel Specialties will pay the net proceeds of the sale into the Clerk’s Office. These proceeds will later be used to pay off any outstanding liens, with any remainder being released to the owner or forfeited to the school board just as the vehicle would have been.

If the defendant is not convicted, the court will permanently release the vehicle to the owner.

If the defendant is convicted, the court will hold a “forfeiture hearing” on the status of the vehicle. Owners, defendant-owners and lienholders may request the release of the vehicle again at this hearing.

If the driver is convicted, the court may order the driver to repay you for this amount.

* you held a perfected security interest in the vehicle at the time of the seizure,
* the owner is in default,
* as a result of the default you are entitled to possession of the vehicle,
* you agree to sell the vehicle and pay into the Clerk’s Office the net sale proceeds and
* you agree not to sell, give, or otherwise transfer possession of the vehicle to the driver or the owner.

There are other requirements that you must satisfy as a lienholder.

You should ask the Clerk’s Office for form CR-334. You must serve a copy of the form on the owner, the DA and the school board attorney. If these parties consent to your petition, the clerk will release the vehicle to you. If they do not consent, there will be a court hearing on your petition.