If you pay a traffic ticket in South Carolina, you admit guilt and are automatically convicted of the offense charged on the citation.
We live in a world where the effects of traffic offenses are minimized. Thus, paying a ticket, particularly when it is inconvenient to contact an attorney or return to contest your charge on the court date, may not seem like a big deal. Unfortunately, many do not realize the ways that paying a traffic ticket can affect you negatively.
The main consequences that individuals who have pleaded guilty to traffic infractions face are described in detail below:
(1) License: The effects a traffic infraction will have on your license differ based upon the state that issued your license, as each state has legislation governing the consequences for specific driving infractions. For South Carolina drivers, the offense charged may cause 0, 2, 4, or 6 points to be added against your license. Too many points can mean that you may have your license suspended or revoked. For out of state drivers, the consequences differ. It is imporant to contact an attorney to discuss the possible consequences that you might experience if you plead guilty to a ticket.
(2) Insurance: After the state that issued your license has determined the penalty against your license (see above), they pass along a record of the infraction to your car insurance company. As a result, your insurance premiums are likely to increase.
(3) Job: Many drivers have to maintain clean driving records in order to get and maintain employment. Having even one infraction, even from an out-of-state court, may jeopardize your employment status for several years.
Blackwelder Law knows that your traffic case is not just a minimal annoyance. We are here to help you work toward the best resolution possible to prevent the negative consequences described above.
Call today for your free consultation.
