This... In NC, it's basically pay to play. In the end, all the court wants is the money and will play ball if you have a lawyer ask to drop it to a non-moving violation (improper equipment). I think you can do that once ever 2-3 years.
I’ve never had to pay for a lawyer ever. Why pay for a lawyer to do what you can do? Usually just being nice with the magistrate and officer works and you can ask them yourself to drop the points. If that doesn’t work then pay for a lawyer for the appeal, sure.
If this is truly your first ticket, I wouldn’t jump right to a lawyer because most likely they’re going to drop the points anyways at the hearing.
Experience: I’ve had over twenty tickets in the past, most with points, and all points have been dropped at or before the hearing. Never with a lawyer.