$4,000 NC overweight ticket

I was pulled into the scales in Halifax NC. I drive a 2007 KW and pull containers. I have a over weight permit up to 90000 lbs. The guy working the scale asked for my cab card and over weight permit. He checked both and found something my safety dept.,me and NC dept. that issues over weight permits had missed; my tractor was only registered for 22000 lbs. When I filled out the info for my plates somehow VA. DMV put it in for 22k. I got an O/W ticket for over $4000. I was able to call the Va. DMV and between phone calls and faxes I added the correct weight,80k, before I left the scales.
Any advice would help. I have 30 days to file. Thanks, Phil