In addition to the financial costs of a traffic ticket, you also need to consider the points assessed. Plan your questions. Hire a Traffic Attorney. You need an experienced defense attorney on your side to review the ticket, your driving history, and any defenses available to you. 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. Fighting a Speeding Ticket in Pennsylvania The penalties for a speeding ticket can include fines, points on your record, and a suspended license. Your citation should include the address to remit your PA speeding ticket payment via mail. Check the ticket to find out whether a state, county or local officer issued it and search online for traffic procedures in that jurisdiction. For example, the fine for speeding is $120-$200, and the fine for careless driving is $400-$2000. Merely visiting our websites does not create an attorney-clent relationship with the law offices of Colgan & Associates, LLC. You have the right to cross-examine anyone who testifies against you, which usually means the officer who wrote the citation. Heres what to know about your options. You will need to attend a mandatory departmental hearing. On one side of a sheet of paper, note what was said. No bawling is necessary. Each time you reach 6 points on your record, there are consequences: You will need to take a written exam about safe driving practices and the penalties for violating them. Check the PAePay websiteto see if the traffic court your ticket was assigned to accepts online payments, as it varies by county. Technicalities can also help you get your ticket dismissed. There are three main types of devices that officers may use in order to determine a person's speed: Radar, VASCAR/ENRADD, and the officer's speedometer. You mayget a judge to dismiss a speeding ticketor significantly reduce the charge if you are prepared for court and can justify the unfair ticket. Her work has been featured by USA Today, U.S. News and World Report and The Associated Press. You can pay: Online. Some get lucky when driving over the speed limit, while others get caught and are hit with hefty fines. The judge is the person overseeing the case, who has final authority on the rulings. 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. The cost for PA speeding tickets varies according to the speeding scale fineover the posted speed limit. If you dont attend the hearing, your license will automatically be suspended until you do. You should get documents on the radar device used to determine your speed to check for any malfunctions or recent repairs. If served, set a hearing, pleading "Not responsible." Disprove the plaintiff (private company) in court; win. Unfortunately, enrolling in a defensive driving course will not reduce points on your Pennsylvania driving record. However to beat a radar speeding ticket, you must understand how the radar works. Make witness arrangements. In Pennsylvania, the fines are based on the exact speed at a price of $2 per mile per hour past five over the limit. If you dont attend the hearing, your license will automatically be suspended until you do. Knowing the code well, and having good witnesses and diagrams of the crime scene, can help you win your case this way. Speeding Ticket in Pennsylvania | Ticket Counsel Speeding Ticket in Pennsylvania Fines and Fees Speeding 1-10 miles over: 2 - 4 points / $85 - $170 Speeding 11 - 15 miles over: 3 - 5 points / $115 - $235 Speeding 16 - 24 miles over: 4 - 6 points / $135 - $306 Speeding 25 - 35 miles over: 5 - 7 points / $160 - $380 When the officer asks for your license and registration, politely explain where these documents are and ask permission to reach for them. Write down the make, model, license plate and unit number of the officer's car. Although paying a $50 ticket might not seem that bad, consider the true cost of a speeding ticket. 4 ways to beat a speeding ticket. 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. 1) Admit guilt and pay the fine, 2) Attend a defensive driving class (at your expense) 3) Request a trial be set by mail. 1. If you choose this option, be sure to return the plea and payment by the time stated on the ticket to prevent a bench warrant from being issued for your arrest. How Many Points Is a Speeding Ticket In Florida? However, try not to wait more than 30 seconds to find a safe spot. In addition to the speeding fine, drivers also must pay a surcharge based on the mph over the Maximum Speed Limits outlined in the table below. Want to make smarter insurance decisions for the year ahead? Instantly compare top auto insurance companies. After a ticket, your car insurance rates can rise by hundreds of dollars per year. How much can I save by refinancing my car? 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. This stretch of road is right around the corner of my house and I drive it every morning to work in another district, so I'm familiar with the protocols when children are crossing the street to the school on the other side. Traffic Citations, Speeding Ticket Attorney Plantation - Melanie E. Horowitz, PATraffic Citations, Speeding Ticket Attorney Plantation - Melanie E. Horowitz, PA Description. You're only asking questions. If you do end up accepting the speeding ticket, its crucial to compare. You can question the issuing officer, including about his or her memory and training with speed-clocking equipment. Several hundred dollars are now being demanded from you because the camera captured your car and license plate. If convicted, your charges could result in, You (or your attorney) and the PA state prosecutor submit. There are three ways to set your court date. If you end up going to trial before a judge, you can expect the process to follow this general outline: If you'd like to pursue your case after a guilty verdict and sentencing, you can file an appeal with the PA Court of Common Pleas with the county court where you received your citation. 5 Ways to Effectively Fight Traffic Tickets Five strategies for fighting a traffic ticket. If you have received a Speeding Ticket in Pennsylvania, read more about the actions you can take to eliminate your speeding ticket. Call your DMV or licensing agency to see if your state has a similar program. 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 This will not work on every police officer, so the driver will need to read them to see what might be effective. Continue to get speeding tickets and the suspensions will keep adding up. A speeding ticket in PA will cost $42.50 for going 5 miles per hour or less over the limit in a 65 mph zone, and $35 for going 5 miles per hour or less over the limit in any other . (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. Speeding in a highway work zone: $100 to $2000 and/or a maximum of 12 months jail time There may be additional fees depending on the judge. 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. You may be able to request a negotiation before or at your hearing, but its the courts decision, so check on the courts website or call to be sure. MORE: Comparing auto insurance rates after speeding tickets. Before you try to fight a speeding ticket, check with your insurance to see how much your premiums will increase if you fight the ticket and lose since they might go up more than if you were to just plead guilty. Pennsylvania's speeding ticket fees Excess of legal speed limit Fee imposed for breaking the legal speed limit Every mile over 5 mph $35 + $2 per mile over the limit Every mile over 65 mph $42.50 + $2 per mile over the limit If excess over 11 mph (school zone) Up to $500 How Pennsylvania speeding tickets are calculated You can appear before a judge and enter a Not Guilty plea as well as a request for a court date. Other factors that can affect the total cost of your PA speeding ticket include: Besides fines being doubled in active construction and maintenance areas when workers are present, there are other consequences if drivers speed in work zones. You will need to post collateral with the court, usually the cost of the ticket plus court costs or request a waiver of reduction. In most cases, this includes the Pennsylvania traffic ticket fine AND any court costs and surcharges. I am preparing to dispute this fine, as I firmly believe that I was not moving at such a rate of speed that could be considered dangerous/reckless by any means. Instruction manuals include maintenance schedules you can question the officer about, and they may note radar gun weaknesses, for example. Make sure you choose a firm who has experience fighting traffic tickets in Pennsylvania. "Pacing" is a method often used by officers to determine whether a driver is speeding. Call 610-565-9696 or contact us online to speak with an attorney today. I checked my speedometer." If there were many other cars similar to yours on the road that day, the officer may have pulled you over by mistake. An Ohio appeals court issued an interesting decision the other day on the issue of pacing. Read more. Our opinions are our own. How Long Does a Speeding Ticket Stay on Your Record? I've never had an issue until this particular morning, and I assume I was just severely unlucky this day. Our partners compensate us. If he asks how fast you were going, you do not have to answer the question. Someone at the DMV should be able to help you print your driving record for a small fee. Gather information to help successfully dispute the speeding ticket. Even if you were clocked at 26 miles per hour, the ticket is under $50. If you dont attend the hearing, your license will automatically be suspended for 60 days. Many people don't bother fighting a traffic ticket because it may not seem worth the time and effort. Considering the costs, hiring a lawyer is likely worth the money if your ticket is particularly expensive or could result in the loss of your license. When you plead not guilty, you're exercising your legal right to present your case before a judge, and implying that you: Review our page on choosing when you should fight a traffic charge for guidance. Pull over as soon as you see the officer's lights and there is a safe spot to do so. By using our site, you agree to our. That lawyer can help you review your driving record, the ticket, and the potential consequences to decide if it is worth your time, money, and effort to contest the ticket. If you commit serious traffic violations pa, you will face fines that are heavier penalties. If you're searching for an easy way to get out of a speeding ticketin Pennsylvania or any other state, DoNotPay can help. How to fight a speeding ticket in Pennsylvania To get a violation dismissed and avoid the negative repercussions, drivers can fight the ticket by taking their case to court. We have helped over 300,000 people with their problems. Youll pay the speeding ticket and any court fees. In some areas, you must request mitigation in writing. So, in response to the first letter, I mailed them back the following letter (copied and pasted): I received a letter claiming I committed a violation of a speeding law in the District of Columbia on 04/21/2012. 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. 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. 2. NerdWallet writer Philip Reed contributed to this report. On this morning there were no kids along the sidewalks, none crossing the street (the patrol wasn't even in the road telling traffic to stop), and no buses had their red stop lights flashing. Wed appreciate if youd take a few minutes to explain where we went wrong. Then, those points drop off: 3 points for each 12 months you have a clean driving record. 3 points. Looking for a lawyer to handle your traffic speeding ticket? If the judge rules against you, you can appeal the case to a higher court. Immediately after the officer gives you the written citation, make sure all the information is correct, including anything identifying you or describing your car. How to Get a Speeding Ticket Dismissed In Tennessee Quickly. If the officer clocks you at greater than 11 miles over the speed limit the ticket grows to $500. Go back to the scene of the citation. OK92033) Property & Casualty Licenses, NerdWallet | 55 Hawthorne St. - 11th Floor, San Francisco, CA 94105. Once again, it's not an admission of guilt and refusing to sign it will not make you look favorable in the officer's eyes. Research speed equipment. As soon as you've entered your plea, begin preparing for trial. Otherwise, to fight your ticket you'll need to plead "Not guilty" and challenge the officer's measurement of your speed or their identification of your vehicle. HOWEVER, some PA traffic courts may allow you to notify them: After informing the court of your plea, you must post collateral. 4) Tell them who the actual driver was. When you receive a speeding ticket or traffic citation, you always have the option to pay the fine and accept the points. Take notes during the prosecution so you can prepare your cross-examination. In most cases, pa tickets points reduction will end up with you getting between 2 to 5 points. Assigning Editor | Auto insurance, home insurance, other insurance. In order to fight the traffic ticket, the driver must appear before a judge. Keep you hands visible as the officer approaches your car, placing both hands on the steering wheel. The options that the traffic court gives you are: pay the ticket. This information may be different than what you see when you visit a financial institution, service provider or specific products site. NerdWallet Compare, Inc. NMLS ID# 1617539, NMLS Consumer Access|Licenses and Disclosures, California: California Finance Lender loans arranged pursuant to Department of Financial Protection and Innovation Finance Lenders License #60DBO-74812, Property and Casualty insurance services offered through NerdWallet Insurance Services, Inc. (CA resident license no. A lack of prosecution witness is an easy way to get a ticket dismissed. Join 1,972,984 Americans who searched for Car Insurance Rates: In Pennsylvania, you must submit your plea of not guilty to the traffic court handling your case, within 10 days of receiving the traffic citation, if you wish to fight your ticket. You should also expect to pay: At Berman Law, our traffic attorneys can help you review your ticket and add up all the costs associated with your speeding or traffic violation, so you can decide whether you want to contest the ticket. 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. Persons who choose to dispute the ticket may need to make an appearance in court to enter this plea. Submit a request for certain public records. We know how to fight a speeding ticket with efficacy and diligence. Making it appear that the witness does not remember facts correctly casts doubt in the judge's eyes. Check the PAePay website to see if the traffic court your ticket was assigned to accepts online payments, as it varies by county. A plea bargain will require that you change your plea to guilty in exchange for reduced penalties. That's it! Subscribe to stay in the loop & on the road! Motorists can be cited for exceeding the speed limit by only one mph. If ANY of the rules below are not followed, a driver will have a solid case against the speeding ticket. Pennsylvania police use a number or different methods to track vehicle speed and issue citations. If it is at night, turn on your interior lights Then place your hands on the top of your steering wheel palms up, facing your face. Pennsylvania's speeding ticket point system, however, works similarly to most other states. How a speeding ticket is classified depends on several factors. Experienced Legal Advice When The Future Is At Stake. Take note of any weather conditions, such as rainfall or clouds, that could obscure the officer's judgment. Ulysses S. Grant (born Hiram Ulysses Grant, / h a r m ju l s i z / HY-rm yoo-LISS-eez; April 27, 1822 - July 23, 1885) was an American military officer and politician who served as the 18th president of the United States from 1869 to 1877. You have the right to a court trial with a judge. Lacie Glover is an insurance editor and writer and a NerdWallet authority on insurance. Subscribe to our News and Updates to stay in the loop and on the road! If you opt to represent yourself, you'll need to have some familiarity with the procedures of Pennsylvania traffic court before fighting your ticket. Many states have enacted legislation . 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. Sit back and relax while we do the work. Pay attention to your shirt color, any small dents or cracks in your car, and any noticeable physical characteristics of the officer. MORE: How much can I save by refinancing my car? Gather evidence. If convicted of aggravated assault by vehicle in an active construction zone, drivers can receive up to 2 additional years of jail term. You have 10 days to respond to the citation. 2. Worse, being rude or uncooperative can be counterproductive. We offer a quick and easy solution to help you win against unfair speeding tickets without the stress of a court appearance. To do this, you must send a written request to the court noted on your ticket to request a hearing, and then showing up on the assigned court date. Visit 800 Spring Garden St. on weekdays from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. For instance, certain courts may allow initiating . Notice of Intended Prosecution Loopholes You Have to Know, How to Pay Your Houston Water Bills Online Hassle-Free, How to Remove My Case From The Internet Instantly, How to Recover Your Forgotten Workday Password Hassle-Free, How to Stay In Touch With Inmates at Clements Unit, Sending Money to an Inmate Has Never Been Easier, How to dispute seatbelt tickets in any state, Learn about filing a complaint against any company, Renew your car registration the quick and easy way, PA commercial drivers driving "carelessly" or "recklessly". No matter what happens, you must be polite and submissive. Refer to your printed ticket for information about the presiding court handling your case. % of people told us that this article helped them. A bailiff will help conduct the ceremony of a trial. Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 106,613 times. This article has been viewed 106,613 times. Her work has been featured by USA Today, U.S. News and World Report and The Associated Press. Although you have the right to represent yourself in court, you will likely feel much more comfortable with the help of a traffic attorney. Typically in mitigation, you admit to the offense and present information that would lead a judge to grant you leniency. saving any demerit points. There are also certain traffic offenses that carry their own consequences, such as passing a school bus with red lights flashing (which has an automatic 60-day license suspension). A sympathetic officer may be more likely to issue a warning instead of a ticket. When paying online, enter all required information and use your credit or debit card to pay the fine and additional charges, such as transaction fees. If you ignore it, you may have to pay additional fines and your driver's license can be suspended. Many or all of the products featured here are from our partners who compensate us. Outcomes may include: You pay all or some of the ticket, but it doesnt affect your driving record. This will, however, result in the same consequences as pleading guilty. How Long Do You Have to Pay a Speeding Ticket? Your trial will occur within 45 days of the day you enter you plea. Instead, give a noncommittal answer like, "I'm not really sure.". Your best chances to win the argument will be if you have physical proof you werent speeding. Log-in to DoNotPay and find the Speeding Ticket product. If you are caught speeding there, you will receive a fine and three points are added to your driving record. 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. If the officer that issued the ticket doesn't show up, it's almost automatically a win for you. In-person at any local District Court or the. 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. However, if you want to give some answer do not admit guilt here. Besides paying the initial fee, after a ticket, your car insurance rates can rise by hundreds of dollars per year. You can then choose to fight the ticket in court, negotiate a lesser penalty or pay the speeding ticket and accept the ding to your driving record and the higher insurance premiums likely to. Although this option is said to result in this matter . Show Up To Court. What can we do for you? An appellate court will only look to see if any legal errors were made and whether these errors affected the final decision in the case. Winning the case will result in a refund of the collateral you have paid and protect your driving record. 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. You may also be required to pass an on-road drivers exam. 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. Know when to fight The time to fight that traffic ticket isn't when the officer is writing you up. If you find discrepancies with your credit score or information from your credit report, please contact TransUnion directly. How to Contest NYC Speeding Camera Tickets and Win. However, that isnt the only cost youll be assessed. The simplest way to deal with a speeding ticket is to go ahead and pay the fine. 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.) You normally must appear in person to inform the court, although some are now allowing other options. Although all this may seem like a lot of hassle for a $50 ticket, getting a PA speeding ticket dismissed can save you hundreds over time from increased insurance rates and accumulated driving points.