SC speeding ticket, pls help!

[unlucky123]

What is the name of your state?What is the name of your state? North Carolina

We are North Carolina resident and visited a friend in SC yesterday. As we were following the traffic passing Marion, SC, we got pulled over for going 55 in 35 zone. As it is 20mph over, the driver's license will get suspended in NC. The fine is $180.50. Experts, please advice:

1. The court date is in 2 weeks. Should we hire an attorney?
2. Is there any chance that if we appear in court by ourselves and enter a plead bargin with the court by paying the fine AND no record on the driver's license?
3. How likely the record will be transferred to NC?

Any advice is highly appreciated.

[lwpat]

2. Is there any chance that if we appear in court by ourselves and enter a plead bargin with the court by paying the fine AND no record on the driver's license?

South Carolina does not have a PFJ like North Carolina. You can try appearing and ask for a reduction to a 10mph ticket. Chances are fair that they will go along with it and the ticket will not be posted to your NC record.

3. How likely the record will be transferred to NC?

If you just pay the ticket it will result in a suspension notice of your NC license 100% of the time.

1. The court date is in 2 weeks. Should we hire an attorney?

That is purely an economic decision on your part.

[unlucky123]

iwpat, Thank you very much for your response! I have couple of more questions:

1. How does the reduction work? Are we still paying the same amount of money to the court but ask them to reduce it to 10mph ticket? Do we ask the court not sending record to NC at the same time?
2. If I call the clerk of court now, and expressing that we are willing to pay and ask for reduction to a 10mph ticket and not sending the record to NC, will she agree to do that?
3. I talked to couple of attorneys in the area and they said they can reduce it to 10mph ticket. Beside the economic consideration as you mentioned, what is the difference between we asked personally and attorney does it for us? Are the chances the same?

Thank you very much for your time and patience!