Cited for a Traffic Violation?
Many drivers are pulled over and ticketed for speeding or other traffic violations every day in Charleston. Traffic tickets may seem like minor offenses, but they can have lasting consequences. Tickets for speeding and other moving violations could have a long-term impact on your driving record and your driver’s license privileges. Traffic tickets can also affect your car insurance premiums or ability to switch insurance companies and still pay a reasonable premium. Many insurance companies look at the past five years of your driving record when determining the rate you will be charged for coverage.
If you have been charged with speeding, reckless or careless driving, failure to obey a traffic signal, driving under suspension, driving without insurance, or any other traffic violations, call the traffic ticket defense attorneys at Anderson & Schuster, LLC to discuss your traffic ticket and your options. Don’t let points and traffic violations accumulate on your record to the point your license is suspended. If you have been ticketed anywhere in Charleston, Dorchester, or Berkeley Counties, including Charleston, North Charleston, Mount Pleasant, Summerville, Hanahan and Goose creek, give us a call today. Your consultation is free of charge. Contact Us Now
Point System in South Carolina
Point System in South Carolina
Drivers are tracked using a point system in South Carolina. When you are convicted of a traffic violation, points will be put on your driving record. The amount of points put against your license ranges from two to six points, depending on the seriousness of the offense. If you accrue twelve points or more on your license, it will be suspended for a minimum of three months. Points posted to your driving record will begin to reduce after one year.
Remember, insurance premiums can increase when any amount of points are put against your license. Usually it is difficult for drivers with a high number of points to obtain a new insurance policy without having to pay high premiums. A list of the of the points associated with each violation are below. If you are charged with any of these offenses, give our Charleston traffic ticket lawyers a call today to discuss your traffic citation. Contact Us Now
Habitual Offender Status
Any driver who accumulates three or more convictions for “major driving offenses” within a three year period, or 10 or more four-point moving violation convictions may be classified as a habitual offender. If you are classified as a habitual offender your driver's license will be suspended for five years with the possibility of having your license reinstated after two years. Your license must be suspended for at least two years, and during this time you cannot obtain any type of restricted license, even to drive to work or school. These suspensions can be appealed by requesting a contested case hearing with the Office of Motor Vehicle Hearings within 30 days from the date of your suspension notice.
If you have been sent a notice by the DMV that your license will be suspended, call us today to help you with your appeal. We will fight to keep your license.
After two major violations, the DMV sends a notice that a driver is in danger of running afoul of the habitual offender statute. If you have been charged with a major driving offense after receiving this notice, a conviction or plea of guilty or nolo contendere to that charge will result in you being classified as a habitual offender. Please call us today so that we can fight to reduce your charge and avoid a license suspension.
Major driving offenses are:
- Voluntary or involuntary manslaughter while driving a motor vehicle;
- Operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol (DUI) or drugs;
- Driving or operating a motor vehicle in a reckless manner;
- Driving a motor vehicle with a suspended license;
- Commission of a felony under the motor vehicle laws;
- Any felony in which the commission of a motor vehicle is used;
- Hit and run in any accident resulting in the injury or death of another person.
CDL Drivers
A Commercial Driver’s License carries with it certain additional penalties. First, you must notify your employer within 30 days of any traffic ticket conviction, regardless of the type of vehicle you were driving. If you are convicted of two “serious violations” in any vehicle within a three-year period, you will lose your CDL for 60 days. Three convictions in a three year period will result in a 120 day suspension. "Serious traffic violations" are:
- Excessive speeding (15 mph or more over the posted speed limit);
- Reckless driving;
- Improper or errtic lane changes;
- Following a vehicle too closely;
- Traffic offenses committed in any vehicle in connection with fatal traffic accidents.
If convicted of a driving under the influence (DUI) of alcohol or controlled substances you will lose your CDL for at least a year. If you are ticketed for any of these violations, whether it be a first or second offense, it is extremely important to address the charges so that you do not risk losing your CDL and your job. Please give us a call today to discuss your traffic ticket. Your consultation is free of charge. Contact Us Now