Let’s face it: no one who has gotten a traffic ticket really wants to appear in traffic court. Many people think of traffic tickets as minor offenses, but it’s important to show up and resolve them when summoned to court. Failing to do so can quickly escalate the situation, leading to much more serious consequences than you might have originally faced.

If you are reading this article to find out if you can get away with skipping traffic court, our advice is simple: don’t do it. We’ll give details about why in a moment. If it turns out that you have failed to appear in traffic court because of a scheduling mistake or an emergency, you need to act quickly to minimize the consequences.

What are the Potential Consequences for Failing to Appear in Traffic Court?

The more severe your original violation, and the longer it takes you to address the fact that you failed to appear in court for a traffic ticket, the more serious the consequences are likely to be. At a minimum, it is likely that the court will record a “Failure to Appear”, or FTA, against you. You may also face additional fines and fees over and above the fine for your original violation, including a $200 penalty for failure to appear.

If you act swiftly for your failure to appear in traffic court, you may avoid more serious penalties. However, if you don’t appear in court or otherwise resolve your case within 20 days of the date you were originally scheduled to appear, the court will alert the NCDMV. At that point, the NCDMV may suspend your driver’s license indefinitely, pending resolution of the case and payment of a reinstatement fee.

For more serious violations, you could face even further consequences, like a significant increase in your automobile insurance rates, and potentially a warrant being issued for your arrest.

Is it Always Necessary to Appear in Court for a Traffic Ticket?

While all traffic violations come with a court date, that doesn’t necessarily mean you need to actually go to court on that date. That’s the good news. The bad news is that you don’t just get to ignore the ticket.

Some minor traffic violations, like failing to signal or speeding less than 10 miles over the speed limit, are considered “waivable” offenses. That doesn’t mean the penalty against you will be waived! It means that you can choose to waive your right to appear in court. In exchange, you must pay the fine and court costs associated with your ticket in advance of the court date. This may be done either online, in person, or by mail.

However, not all traffic violations are waivable. In those situations, a court appearance may be unavoidable.

When is a Court Appearance Required for a Traffic Violation?

A court appearance is typically required for more serious traffic violations. These include matters like:

• DUI/DWI
• Driving with an open container if the driver is impaired
• Tampering with an ignition interlock device
• Reckless driving, racing, or aggressive driving
• Driving on a suspended, revoked, or disqualified license
• Driving a commercial vehicle without a valid commercial driver’s license
• Excessive speeding (15 or more miles over the speed limit while driving in excess of 55 miles per hour)
• Driving over 80 miles per hour
• Passing a stopped school bus
• Failing to yield involving serious bodily injury
• Failing to stop at the scene of an accident or to report the accident

There are other violations that are not waivable and for which a court appearance is required. Your ticket for the violation will state “You Must Appear in Court.” If you are unsure whether your appearance is required, contact the Clerk of Court or consult with a defense attorney.

What if I Missed my Hearing Because of a Mistake or Emergency?

Mistakes and emergencies happen. It’s not ideal to miss your hearing, but you can’t change the past. That said, you need to act swiftly to minimize negative consequences from your traffic ticket and failure to appear. An experienced defense attorney can help you understand the next steps and deal with the court on your behalf.

What if I Live Outside of North Carolina?

Plenty of people travel to North Carolina for business or vacations, and it’s not uncommon for out-of-state drivers to get a traffic ticket while here. But don’t imagine that “what happens in North Carolina stays in North Carolina.” That’s not how it works with traffic violations, and if you ignore a ticket, trouble will follow you home.

North Carolina, like the great majority of states, belongs to the Non-Resident Violator Compact (NRVC). If your home state is also an NRVC member, North Carolina will report to your home state that you failed to appear in court for a traffic ticket, and your driver’s license will be suspended.

Admittedly, it can be costly and burdensome to travel back to North Carolina for a traffic court hearing, especially if you live hundreds of miles away. But ignoring your court date won’t make the problem go away. Contact a North Carolina traffic ticket defense attorney who can advise you of your options, and, if necessary, appear on your behalf.

Contact a Traffic Ticket Defense Attorney at Reece & Reece

Whether you’re facing a minor infraction or a more serious violation, ignoring a traffic court date is a bad idea. But you don’t have to face it alone. At Reece & Reece, we’re here to fight for your rights and ensure that you receive fair treatment in court. Contact us today at (919) 300-1249 for a free case evaluation and assistance with your traffic court matter.