Prof.

[Thomas Pfau]

What is the name of your state? NC

My wife just received a speeding ticket for going 78 mi in a 65 zone in Missouri. She can pay the ticket by mail, but I am wondering whether there is reciprocity between our home state, North Carolina, and Missouri. If so, should one expect that our insurance policy would be increased and should we get a lawyer to challenge the ticket out in MO. Competent advice would be most welcome.

[Robbie0723]

Do not just pay the ticket. This will eventually make it back to NC with major inpact -- points assessed as follows:

[url]http://www.ncsu.edu/stud_affairs/legal_services/legaldocs/Trafficpoints.htm[/url]

Speeding in excess of 75 miles mph when posted limit is less that 70 mph is 4 insurance points - the same as passing a stopped school bus in NC.... . Also note 75+ is a misdemeanor in NC.

So If you just pay, your insurance will increase 90%. If you can get it dropped to less than 75, the increase drops to 45%. Less than 10 over is no points.

A lawyer can save you money in the long run. There are ticket fix clinics in MO. When I used them several years back, they generally charge a set fee and the state gets about double what the fine would have been. 78 in a 65 in MO is relatively minor in MO so it should be possible to get it reduced enough to avoid major damage in NC.

(I'm not a lawyer but am a former MO resident now in NC and have experience as a "customer" in both states)

[Thomas Pfau]

Hi Robbie:

many thanks for the detailed and helpful reply. I'll look for someone to fight the ticket. T.P.