<p>I believe Cuse is from North Carolina, at least he posts on the UNC forum. If he’s an NC resident it is very common to use an attorney to get a speeding ticket reduced. It almost seems like it’s necessary. You do it to avoid getting points on your license and having your insurance go up. As far as the tags and inspection, NC recently switched over to a different system. I recently went to do my tags on line and found out I had to have my inspection first, even though my current inspection hadn’t expired (although it was close). By the time I got everything done, my registration was late also. Oops. </p>
<p>I’m not trying to excuse Cuse, but NC may be different than your states. Cuse - You need to stop speeding.</p>
<p>Indiana also has “diversion” programs. One pays extra over the ticket cost and it all “goes away”. No points, no record, no insurance increase. Somehow that all makes it seem bogus to me. Enough money–just buy your way out.</p>
<p>To the OP-Good luck. It sounds to me as if you are taking responsibility and steps to correct all this.</p>
<p>You are obligated to notify DMV of a change of address. If you move, then mail will be returned by the Post Office to the DMV. Mail will not be forwarded to any other address than the one the DMV has on file for you. Your assertion that the DMV sent mail to your school address is simply not credible.</p>
<p>The DMV did send the mail to my school address. I’m sorry if that doesn’t seem credible to you, but that is what actually happened. When I went to the DMV to get my license reinstated today, they had two addresses on file for me-my home address and my old school one. I have no idea why they sent mail to my school address but not the one that was actually on my license.</p>
<p>Adulthood is complicated, isn’t it, Cuse? Sounds like you’ve learned a lot in the last few days. One thing we don’t often plan for is other people’s screw ups complicating our own! Good luck to you, and be careful on the roads.</p>
<p>“you are pretty young to be hiring an attorney to bail you out of anything. I have had some attorneys, but only for big stuff”</p>
<p>As BUandBC82 said i North Carolina is different - It’s almost NEVER a good idea to address a speeding ticket or any other moving violation without a lawyer, no matter how simple the matter. It’s almost like you offend the court by not hiring a lawyer and it can cost you dearly because of the way NC commingles fines, fees, court costs, and insurance points. Their are some reasons behind the system that make it less corrupt than it appears on the surface, but I would never allow anyone I care about to go to court (for a traffic issue) without a lawyer. And yes, you don’t go to the courthouse yourself, only your lawyer goes…</p>
<p>I’m a NC resident and everyone I know who get a speeding ticket for 15 mph above the speed limit hires an attorney to get it cleaned up. As soon as you get a ticket, your mail box is flooded with attorney who will reduce your ticket to a moving violation. It’s one of those legal good old boys network we have in NC. It’s how some lawyers make a living and the legal system supports it. I’m not saying it’s right, but it is what it is. I could certainly imagine being in the same situation as Cuse. There is no face-to-face communication with the lawyer. You pay $250 to the lawyer and $150 in fines and it’s “gone.” Cheaper than points or increased insurance premiums.</p>
<p>As ncmentor says, it’s how we do things here,</p>
<p>Thanks for the advice everyone. I went to another lawyer today and she said that I may have a malpractice case against my old lawyer. Of course, to pursue that and to clear my name that requires money that I do not have. </p>
<p>Honestly, I’m in some trouble right now. I’m in trouble with the legal system, I’m in trouble with my school, and I’m about to be in trouble with my parents when they find out about everything. Bottom line, things suck right now. Drinking is my only relief, and even that creates more problems for me.</p>
<p>You don’t need money to write a strong letter to your old firm asking them to reimburse you for the money you are out due to their mistake and, possibly, refund the fees you paid to them.
I hope things improve.</p>
<p>Cuse - Go to the college counseling service and talk to someone. Let them help you sort through whatever is going on with you. I believe you can just walk in without an appointment. Take care of yourself.</p>
<p>I’m confused why you would not know about this. In my state, when your tags are approaching expiration, you receive a notice and invoice requiring you to pay for re-registration, and upon payment, you receive a new sticker. I’m sure the exact details differ from state to state, but I feel confident that there is some form of notification and responsibility on your part to take care of this before they expire.</p>
<p>Lots of people miss the tag expiration. Yes, you get a letter and you bury it somewhere meaning to attend to it and you don’t. 3 people in our small department here at work (senior management) ALL missed their registration deadlines. Yes, you should do it on time, but it is not uncommon to be late.</p>
<p>Well, that could be true of any financial obligation. The point is that when adults don’t take care of their business, they have to be ready to accept the consequences, not deflect blame. I think the OP is starting to get that.</p>
This makes perfect sense to me…because the law is that the FIRST ticket is kept off your record but not totally forgiven…it is “suspended” (insurance, points, etc.) until you have gone TWO FULL YEARS without another one. If you do, your record is expunged…counted as a rare mistake. If you get another one within the two-year period, BOTH tickets remain and your insurance carrier is notified, and your license is marked. </p>
<p>I got a ticket when my son was 3…and not another one until he was 18…should my insurance rates and license be marked the same as CUSE?</p>