If you are considering fighting your speeding ticket, we have listed some strategies that might come handy: Show Up & Get Lucky As weird as it might seem, if you show up in the court as decided and the issuing officer doesn't, you'll automatically win without having to do anything at all. Ensure you understand all the penalties & implications for a speeding ticket before deciding to pay the ticket. Write down the make, model, license plate and unit number of the officer's car. Assigning Editor | Auto insurance, home insurance, other insurance. You have the right to cross-examine anyone who testifies against you, which usually means the officer who wrote the citation. When your driving privileges are on the line, it isnt just a speeding ticket. If the officer does not show, which happens sometimes, you will be found not guilty. Upload a photo of your speeding ticket. Because of this, you need to know EXACTLY what the officer used to measure your speed. You can also fight it or negotiate in court. Going to court to contest a speeding ticket or traffic offense may be worthwhile if: Our Pennsylvania traffic attorneys will stand by your side throughout the process of contesting a speeding ticket or traffic violation. If you dont attend the hearing, your license will automatically be suspended until you do. A jury will usually not be called in for traffic court. Fighting a Speeding Ticket in Pennsylvania The penalties for a speeding ticket can include fines, points on your record, and a suspended license. When evaluating offers, please review the financial institutions Terms and Conditions. A sympathetic officer may be more likely to issue a warning instead of a ticket. Look up your states motor vehicle code, carefully read the speed law you allegedly broke and prepare to argue that you didnt. Although, in Pennsylvania only the Pennsylvania State Police are permitted to use radar. Note as many small details as possible. Continue to get speeding tickets and the suspensions will keep adding up. Your best chances to win the argument will be if you have physical proof you werent speeding. (null!=i&&i!=o.tag||null!=t&&t!=o.priority)}),gform.hooks[o][n]=r)}}); document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); View Our Disclaimer | Privacy Policy Law Firm Website Design by The Modern Firm. Find out how to fight a speeding ticket or other traffic offense, and when you should hire our speeding ticket lawyers to help you. If you are caught speeding there, you will receive a fine and three points are added to your driving record. 9 Best Car Insurance Companies of March 2023, The Difference Between Comprehensive and Collision Coverage, Get more smart money moves straight to your inbox. The goal is to avoid the speeding ticket going on your driving abstract, so that your insurance is not affected. You may also be required to pass an on-road drivers exam. The first step to prepping for your defense is to make a trip to the Department of Motor Vehicles. Disputing a speeding ticket on your own requires a lot of time to gather information to increase your chances of winning in court, taking time off work to attend the court hearing, and the hassle of arguing your innocence on the matter. However, with proof of PA traffic school or defensive driving course completion, you may still be eligible for discounted car insurance rates. How long the suspension lasts depends on whether your license has been suspended before: At Berman Law, our traffic defense lawyers are able to help you review your driving history and consider the possibility that the moving violation or traffic offense will result in a license suspension. Read more. If the judge rules against you, you can appeal the case to a higher court. Once you get a red light camera ticket, you first need to check the instructions on the violation. 5 Ways to Effectively Fight Traffic Tickets Five strategies for fighting a traffic ticket. We offer a quick and easy solution to help you win against unfair speeding tickets without the stress of a court appearance. Always check with your insurance before fighting a ticket. In a 65 or 70 mph zone, you'll pay $52.50 for driving 10 mph above the speed limit and $102.50 for driving 35 mph above. Your email address will not be published. Your driver's license could be canceled, no matter how good your . Pre-qualified offers are not binding. If you are under 18 and get more than six points on your license or your Pennsylvania speeding ticket is 26 mph+ over, your PA drivers license will be suspended for 90 days and you'll be required to pass a written test and pay a reinstatement fee to PennDOT. If you are convicted of a traffic offence, you may also be required to pay a victim surcharge and court costs. However, if you dont pass within 30 days, your license will be suspended until you do. I checked my speedometer." If your traffic violation still appears erroneously, you could be on the hook for major fines and even license suspension. All Rights Reserved. if( jQuery(.ajax-loader).hasClass(is-active) ) { Fight Your PA Traffic Ticket in Court The steps to fighting your Pennsylvania traffic ticket can differ from court to court, though generally, the process consists of the following: Pre-trial conference. Provide us with some details on why you believe the citation issued is a mistake. If you accept a plea bargain and plead guilty, your car insurance rates could go up! How Long Do You Have to Pay a Speeding Ticket? If ANY of the rules below are not followed, a driver will have a solid case against the speeding ticket. You usually have to post bail in the amount of the fine, so check with the court to make sure you have the proper amount and proper payment method. Some jurisdictions use similar technology for other traffic violations, such as illegal rail crossings or toll violations. If you receive a speeding ticket, the fine amount will be printed right on it. However, this can increase your insurance rates and put your license at risk, especially if you make money as a commercial driver. If you find discrepancies with your credit score or information from your credit report, please contact TransUnion directly. The speed limit in Pennsylvania school zones is 15 miles per hour. When the officer asks for your license and registration, politely explain where these documents are and ask permission to reach for them. If the officer says he will get a search warrant, politely tell him to do so and continue to refuse a search. Subscribe to stay in the loop & on the road! For example, depending on where you live: Your state may waive your first moving violation if you take a driving course. 4 ways to beat a speeding ticket. When you appear, the judge will; If you are found not guilty, you may still be responsible for the cost of the attorney and court costs. There is another choiceyou can go to court and fight the ticket with the help of the best Pittsburgh Criminal Defense Attorney. That's it! Winning the case will result in a refund of the collateral you have paid and protect your driving record. Having the appearance moved closer will make fighting the ticket easier for you. This may influence which products we review and write about (and where those products appear on the site), but it in no way affects our recommendations or advice, which are grounded in thousands of hours of research. If, for example, you're trying to prove the officer pulled over the wrong car ask if he remembers that there were two other blue Honda Civics on the highway that morning. If foot traffic within the school zone is non-existent and there are no physical prompts signaling me to stop, is it really justifiable for an office to charge me with such an outrageous penalty? You have the right to remain silent. Someone at the DMV should be able to help you print your driving record for a small fee. If you're searching for an easy way to get out of a speeding ticketin Pennsylvania or any other state, DoNotPay can help. This article has been viewed 106,613 times. Yes, Here's How. Then, those points drop off: 3 points for each 12 months you have a clean driving record. If you plan to testify in your own defense, you might want to practice your testimony until you feel comfortable telling your story. Young people already pay the highest insurance rates, so a ticket or two can really jack up the monthly amount taken out of your bank account. For instance, NerdWallets 2020 rate study found that: A 40-year-old driver with good credit and full coverage will pay $355 more per year after one speeding ticket, on average. Most drivers have sped at one point or another, even if just a couple of miles per hour over the speed limit. Hire a Traffic Attorney. When you receive a speeding ticket or traffic citation, you always have the option to pay the fine and accept the points. This will, however, result in the same consequences as pleading guilty. Immediately after the officer gives you the written citation, make sure all the information is correct, including anything identifying you or describing your car. Typically in mitigation, you admit to the offense and present information that would lead a judge to grant you leniency. }); document.getElementById( "ak_js_2" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); All of the information on the Colgan & Associates, LLC web site is for informational purposes only. From raising your insurance ratesto staying on your driving recordfor an extended amount of time, getting a PA speeding ticket can cause you more of a headache than just a one-time fine and getting points added to your PA driving record. Also, pay attention to the traffic conditions and look especially for extenuating circumstances that could have caused inadvertent speeding. Our partners compensate us. At the hearing, the examiner will decide whether to implement a 30 day suspension based on the facts in your case. Many people don't bother fighting a traffic ticket because it may not seem worth the time and effort. You want him to like you. If you have received a Speeding Ticket in Pennsylvania, read more about the actions you can take to eliminate your speeding ticket. Stick to questions with short answers and avoid asking why questions. dispute the ticket. Sign up and well send you Nerdy articles about the money topics that matter most to you along with other ways to help you get more from your money. If your driving record is otherwise spotless and the ticket is for 11 or less miles over the speed limit, the least expensive option is to enter a plea of No Contest or Guilty and pay the fine. Thankfully, there are successful ways to fight a speeding ticket. Traffic Citations, Speeding Ticket Attorney Plantation - Melanie E. Horowitz, PATraffic Citations, Speeding Ticket Attorney Plantation - Melanie E. Horowitz, PA Description. Providing evidence, testimony and if appropriate, witnesses, The opportunity to be represented by an attorney, Testimony by the officer who issued the ticket, Cross-examination of the officer by your attorney, Losing the opportunity to plead outright to lower charges, Listens to testimony from the officer citing you as well as your own testimony (Here is where your attorney can be helpful and speak on your behalf). Merely visiting our websites does not create an attorney-clent relationship with the law offices of Colgan & Associates, LLC. The vast majority of speeding tickets are resolved via plea agreement. If you decide to contest the ticket, it is a good idea to bring a speeding ticket defense lawyer with you to that hearing. If you have any passenger's, take note of their names and make sure they stay silent during the exchange. Be polite, dont argue, and try to be unremarkable. A few tears while explaining the circumstances and showing extreme remorse may be all that is needed. You can also get the ticket dismissed by proving a factual error. Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 106,613 times. All financial products, shopping products and services are presented without warranty. Plan your questions. At Berman Law, our Media, PA attorneys represent drivers in Chester County, Delaware County, and Philadelphia County. And we truly care about our clients. Show up at court for the hearing date printed on your speeding ticket. 1999 - 2023 DMV.ORG. The PA traffic court may also appoint you counsel if you meet the following criteria: At a pre-trial conference you (or your attorney) will meet with a Pennsylvania state prosecutor to try to work out a plea bargain. Missing or incorrect information on your ticket may be grounds for dismissal. Turn your car off, and turn the. You should also get some information on the patrol car regarding any recent repairs or damages to the car. Fighting traffic tickets in Pennsylvania is a procedure that can be initiated by submitting a "not guilty" plea to the court that is processing your citation. Do what the officer asks of you without arguing or getting defensive. Pleading "Guilty with explanation" means you admit to speeding but want to the court to take certain circumstances into consideration, which may result in your insurance premiums staying the same. Submit a request for certain public records. Looking for a lawyer to handle your traffic speeding ticket? Comparing auto insurance rates after speeding tickets. One of the easiest ways to pay for your speeding ticket in PA, especially if you do not live in Pennsylvania, is by paying it online. We have helped over 300,000 people with their problems. When Will a Speeding Ticket Show Up on Insurance? How Many Points Is a 10 MPH Over Speeding Ticket? In fact, roughly half of the drivers who do take a speeding ticket to traffic court end up winning the fight. For example, speeding up to 10 miles over the speed limit is a 2-point violation. It is now time to prepare your case. You need to gather evidence as well as witnesses in the case. Although this option is said to result in this matter . How Long Does a Speeding Ticket Stay on Your Record? When evaluating offers, please review the financial institutions Terms and Conditions. However, this can only be used once. Pull over as soon as you see the officer's lights and there is a safe spot to do so. You have the right to a court trial with a judge. Super Speeder Fee: Additional charge of $200 if you're caught going at least 85 miles per hour or at least 75 miles per hour on a two-lane roadway. Dispute Your Band C Speeding Fine Without a Lawyer and Win. Her work has been featured by USA Today, U.S. News and World Report and The Associated Press. The defendant is you, as you're the person fighting charges. Research speed equipment. How to Get a Speeding Ticket Dismissed In Tennessee Quickly. Do not call the officer who pulled you over to testify, however, as he will want to see you pay the fine to keep his reputation intact. Fighting a Speeding Ticket In Texas And Winning! This is an important right to be aware of. Anything you say can be used against you if you go to court. Nothing placed upon this website is intended to be relied upon as legal advice. A typical plea agreement would be to reduce a 5 speeding ticket to 4 points; from 4 points down to 2 points, and so on. If you commit serious traffic violations pa, you will face fines that are heavier penalties. You should probably avoid testifying against yourself while fighting a speeding ticket as it is unnecessary and could make you look bad. Immediately put on your hazard lights to show you are respectful of the safety of other drivers on the road. Where you have a strong defense, we can present your case to the magistrate or judge and demonstrate that the prosecutor cant prove you are guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. Its likely youre reading this because youve already gotten a speeding ticket, so file away these tips in case it happens again: Ask which method the officer used to determine you were speeding and write it down afterward. Remember, you're not making any arguments during cross-examination. e.preventDefault(); Call your DMV or licensing agency to see if your state has a similar program. Call your DMV or licensing agency to see if your state has a similar program. Exceeding a speed limit by at least 26 miles per hour. However, the best way to avoid losing money over a speeding ticket is to simply plead "not guilty" and fight the ticket in court. You could receive a deferral, in which case typically youll pay a fine and your ticket will be dismissed after a period of time if there are no further offenses. After pleading not guilty to the traffic violation(s), the court will assign you a date to return for a pretrial conference OR trial before a judge. Even if you think the ticket is unjustified, speeding violations are hard to beat. You could mail a copy of the citation to the courthouse, along with a request for a trial date. You're only two minutes away from getting your PA speeding ticketdismissed using these steps: It's really that simple! Shop our 2023 Best-Of Awards list. Worse, being rude or uncooperative can be counterproductive. Lacie is a NerdWallet authority on insurance products and loves data, analytics and solving SEO mysteries. To do so, alert the court within 10 days of receiving the notice that you are pleading not guilty. Here is a list of our partners. Making it appear that the witness does not remember facts correctly casts doubt in the judge's eyes. Pay PA Speeding Tickets Online One of the easiest ways to pay for your speeding ticket in PA, especially if you do not live in Pennsylvania, is by paying it online. Call (614) 361-2804. Most speeding. He received his JD from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 1998 and his PhD in American History from the University of Oregon in 2013. This is different from most states, which use tiered penalties (e.g. The case is State v. Jarosz, 2013-Ohio-5839. If you decide to fight the ticket in court. However, this can increase your insurance rates and put your license at risk, especially if you make money as a commercial driver. HOWEVER, some PA traffic courts may allow you to notify them: After informing the court of your plea, you must post collateral. For more tips from our Legal co-author, like how to prepare for your speeding ticket trial, read on! Handle this PROMPTLY as your court may only accept continuances submitted within a specific time frame. Our office accepts e-mails from parties that visit this website, but the sending of such e-mails does not create an attorney-client relationship and therefore these communications cannot be treated as privileged or confidential. Legal Help for Moving Violations, Parking and Traffic Tickets - Speeding Tickets: 1/2 mile from my house I was clocked (Robic stopwatch) doing 49.1 MPH in a 35 zone (3.37 sec over Speeding Ticket Information (Stopwatch) - Pennsylvania Politely ask the officer if he can move the court appearance to the county seat. Instruction manuals include maintenance schedules you can question the officer about, and they may note radar gun weaknesses, for example. The steps to fighting your Pennsylvania traffic ticket can differ from court to court, though generally, the process consists of the following: Consider hiring a traffic ticket lawyer PRIOR to your court appearance(s). like I stated 20-25 is usually my average speed when traversing this short road (unless there are actually crossing guards telling me to stop, and kids are actually present, in which case I will slow and/or stop.) The penalties that you face may include the cancellation of your driver's license. Cost more money long term: After a ticket, your car insurance rates can rise by hundreds of dollars per year. 1. If you are clocked at 11 miles over the speed limit, the fine is $35 plus $2 for each mile greater than 5 over the speed limit. Her work has been featured by USA Today, U.S. News and World Report and The Associated Press. A - IL. Depending on the practices of the presiding court, you may be able to submit your plea and schedule a trial date via various methods. If convicted of failing to drive at a safe speed while driving 11+ mph above the posted speed limit or involved in a crash in an active work zone, you will automatically lose your license for 15 days. Take note of any weather conditions, such as rainfall or clouds, that could obscure the officer's judgment. However, a traffic ticket can end up costing you a lot more money in insurance premiums, and winning your case may be easier than you think. Pay attention to your shirt color, any small dents or cracks in your car, and any noticeable physical characteristics of the officer. As soon as you've entered your plea, begin preparing for trial. Although you have the right to represent yourself in court, you will likely feel much more comfortable with the help of a traffic attorney. Gather evidence. You need to address the ticket and start fighting it right away. Over the phone by calling (800) 492-2656. The far greater consideration is that your insurance costs will rise.