What is the statute of limitations for a traffic ticket?

In North Carolina, the statute of limitations for a traffic ticket is based on the severity of the offense. Generally, charges must be issued within six months of the date of the offense for misdemeanors and one year for felonies. If the traffic violation is for a non-moving violation, such as parking in a handicap spot, the statute of limitations is three years. When it comes to minor traffic offenses such as a speed limit violation, the state often requires the ticket to be issued within 30 days of the offense. If a citation is not issued within that timeframe, the officer has exceeded the statute of limitations for a traffic ticket and the driver cannot be charged. However, if a driver has a suspended license, regardless of the statute of limitations, they can be arrested at any time. Additionally, if the driver has an out-of-state license, the statute of limitations may be longer than what is required in North Carolina. In any case, it is important to dispute the ticket if it is issued after the statute of limitations has expired. In this instance, a driver can present evidence of the statute of limitations to the court and the ticket may be dismissed.

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What is the statute of limitations for a traffic ticket?

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