A new program is allowing North Carolina drivers who get speeding tickets the chance to request a reduction in the penalty -- online.
- Statewide rollout of iPlea set for Sept. 25
- Allows drivers to ask for reduction in speeding fine
- District attorney's office will approve or deny request
- Link: Visit iPlea website
The online service went live this week in Davidson County, joining Davie, Johnston and Mecklenburg counties. A statewide rollout is set for Sept. 25.
It's called iPlea and allows drivers who meet certain criteria to avoid making a court appearance.
Residents who receive a speeding ticket can visit the website at least seven days before the scheduled court date. The request will be reviewed and then either approved or denied by the district attorney's office.
Defendants must be 18 years of age and have a valid North Carolina driver’s license to make a request. The charged speed must be between 10 and 19 miles over the posted limit and cannot exceed 80 miles per hour.
“Online reductions are more efficient and convenient to process the most commonly cited traffic offenses,” said Judge Marion Warren, director of the N.C. Administrative Office of the Courts. “Court technology and online services are modernizing the way the public does business with our courts.”
Speeding offenses made up nearly 50 percent of all traffic citations statewide in 2015 and account for approximately 400,000 tickets annually.
The iPlea page can be accessed at onlineservices.NCcourts.org.