Charlotte Criminal Lawyer Blog
Vehicle Registration Violations in North Carolina
North Carolina, like other states, requires all vehicle owners to properly register their vehicles. Every vehicle that travels on public roadways must have a current registration. In order to register a vehicle you must meet specific criteria. Vehicle registration is a sticker tag that is affixed to the rear license plate. The failure to display a current vehicle registration sticker could result in penalties. Generally, these violations are minor but in some circumstances, they could actually turn into a misdemeanor criminal violation.
Vehicle Registration Guidelines
By law, all vehicles must have current vehicle registration in order to operate them on the street. Vehicle registrations are done through the North Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). Once issued, registration is valid for a year and expires annually on your birthday. The DMV allows a 15-day grace period. After that time, your registration will accrue late charges. In order to obtain a new registration or renew your registration, your vehicle must first pass a vehicle inspection. You must complete a vehicle emissions and safety inspection which must be done within 90 days of registration renewal. Currently, a vehicle inspection is required yearly.
What Happens if My Registration is Expired?
Expired registration is an infraction and you could be stopped by police. New technology allows many police officers to scan license plates. This constant scanning brings immediate attention to a vehicle that has an expired registration or no registration. Police are allowed to conduct a traffic stop for an expired or missing registration. This basic traffic stop could result in other issues, such as if you are thought to be driving while impaired, if you are diving without a license, or if you have an active warrant. If there are no other issues, the police officer may allow you to go with just a warning or may issue you a ticket.
Consequences of an Expired Registration
A single instance of driving with an expired registration will typically result in a simple ticket. This may require you to appear in court. You will also face potential fines and late fees associated with the renewal. If you received a ticket for expired registration you will want to take a few immediate steps. First, determine what you need to do to renew the registration. You need to make sure that you meet the requirements, such as a vehicle inspection, so you can move forward. Next, you should visit the DMV to renew your registration.
Once the registration is renewed, you can provide the proof to the court. If you are unable to renew the registration you will still need to resolve the matter in court. You must then show that the vehicle is no longer being driven, for example, if it will not pass inspection. In addition to court costs, registration and late fees, you could also face insurance rate increases, depending on the situation. If you have repeat offenses, you could also get points assessed to your driver’s license. Keep in mind that you could lose your driving privileges if you accumulate too many points.
If you are facing a violation for vehicle registration, it may be helpful to seek legal guidance. Contact us today at Arnold & Smith, PLLC at (704) 370-2828 to speak to our skilled legal team to review your case.
The criminal defense attorneys at Arnold & Smith, PLLC make it their mission to zealously defend their clients on a wide range of criminal matters at both the state and federal levels. These matters may include any charge from traffic offenses; DWI/DUI; drug charges (from simple possession to possession with intent to distribute and trafficking); gun permit denials; weapons offenses; and property crimes (larceny, breaking and entering, robbery, fraud, embezzlement, white collar offenses); to sexually related offenses (indecent exposure; sexual assault, crimes against nature, removal from sex offender registry); and violent crimes (domestic violence; assault; manslaughter; homicide, murder). Other legal issues that Arnold & Smith, PLLC criminal clients may be facing include restraining orders, restraining order and probation violations, expungements; appeals; and immigration issues related to criminal charges. Our criminal defense attorneys are passionate about ensuring that individuals empower themselves by being informed about their constitutional rights, and stand at the ready to fight in the defense of those facing criminal charges.
Source:
https://www.ncdot.gov/dmv/title-registration/registration/Pages/default.aspx
https://www.ncdot.gov/dmv/title-registration/emissions-safety/Pages/default.aspx
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