Pennsylvania Traffic Tickets

Most state drivers will acquire at least one traffic citation over the course of their lifetime for allegedly violating Pennsylvania traffic regulations. Upon the citing of a ticket, drivers routinely scoff at the financial and timely inconvenience a ticket bears and make preparations to alleviate the issue by biting the bullet and making a payment. However, society's expeditious response to citations can be adversely consequential.

Although a traffic violation is perceived as a minuscule offense by the vast majority of motorists, the acquisition of serious citation or one too many citations, has the potential to snowball into major legal issues consisting of severe ramifications. Due to traffic violations, motorists have experienced damaging repercussions, ranging from the payment of skyrocketing insurance premiums to a license suspension and license revocation. An unfavorable position for both the average driver and more so the commercial driver.

For commercial drivers who travel long distances, travel regionally, or even make deliveries in small towns, driving serves a more significant purpose than traveling from one place to another - it's their entire livelihood. The mismanagement of a traffic citation could jeopardize the career they worked so hard to maintain and build. This is where the help of a defense traffic attorney becomes useful.

If you have been accused of committing a traffic violation, it may be in your best interest to consult with an attorney. An experienced legal professional will be able to help you handle a ticket in a way that's best suitable for you. Your next step would be to become knowledgeable of the way the state of Pennsylvania enforces traffic violations. After all, a well-informed client is more inclined to make wise decisions.

Pennsylvania's Point System

Pennsylvania motorists adhere to a point system that is maintained and updated by the state's Department of Transportation, known as PENNDOT. It is designed to account for the driving records of licensed motorists in the state and to hold them accountable for their bad driving habits. Each time a motorist is found guilty of a traffic offense, a series of “points” are marked on an individual's driving record.

The specific amount of points added varies based on the severity of a traffic offense. Failing to stop at a stop sign, for example, will cost a driver a total of three points. While driving too fast for conditions is deemed a two-point offense. In the event that an individual accumulates at least six points, administrative corrective actions involving driving tests and classes, the implementation of an ignition interlock device, or a license suspension or revocation could potentially be imposed.

Moving and Nonmoving Violations

Motorists are typically cited with two types of violations: moving and nonmoving violations.

A moving violation is administered when a traffic law is violated while a vehicle is in motion. A few of the most commonly committed traffic crimes are moving violations. Some of which include speeding, driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol, and running a red light.

A nonmoving violation, conversely, occurs when a car is halted, or not in motion. Examples include parking in a no-parking zone, having an expired license place, and leaving a vehicle unattended while it is running.

Fighting Traffic Tickets in Pennsylvania

As mentioned above, many people tend to accept their fate when it comes to traffic citations. This widely developed lax attitude is rooted in misinformation. Some individuals believe that challenging a ticket is waste of valuable resources, or that it isn't sensible to fight back for a minor infraction. However, in certain cases, retaining a criminal defense attorney is necessary. Legal counsel is crucial in circumstances when the six-point park is almost reached, or a serious offense has been committed. Here are some traffic charges that are worth challenging:

The most important aspect of determining your course of action is to deduce both the results of not pursuing legal counsel and your chances of winning if you make the decision to fight. If this is your first ticket ever in ten years of driving, you believe it won't happen again, and you are convinced that the citation is warranted based on your actions, paying the fine may be a logical decision. However, if this isn't your first citation within a short period of time, and the violation is relatively serious, retaining an attorney may be worth your while.

In regard to Philadelphians, the Municipal Court Traffic Division adjudicates violations of the state's vehicle code. This court does not, however, mitigate parking violations. In surrounding counties, like Bucks County, Delaware County, and Montgomery County, traffic tickets will be handled by the Magisterial District Courts. 

Pennsylvania Criminal Defense Attorney

Acquiring a traffic violation may expose state motorists to damaging legal and financial repercussions. If you are contemplating going to court to challenge a ticket, you need an attorney who will fiercely advocate for you at every point of the legal process. With years of trial experience, the LLF Law Firm's Criminal Defense Team has protected the interests of regular motorists and commercial drivers alike with an aggressive defense, and they can do the same for you. For a consultation, contact them today at 888-535-3686.

Contact Us Today!

The LLF Law Firm Team has decades of experience successfully resolving clients' criminal charges in Philadelphia and the Pennsylvania counties. If you are having any uncertainties about what the future may hold for you or a loved one, contact the LLF Law Firm today! Our Criminal Defense Team will go above and beyond the needs of any client, and will fight until the final bell rings.

This website was created only for general information purposes. It is not intended to be construed as legal advice for any situation. Only a direct consultation with a licensed Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and New York attorney can provide you with formal legal counsel based on the unique details surrounding your situation. The pages on this website may contain links and contact information for third party organizations - the Lento Law Firm does not necessarily endorse these organizations nor the materials contained on their website. In Pennsylvania, Attorney Joseph D. Lento represents clients throughout Pennsylvania's 67 counties, including, but not limited to Philadelphia, Allegheny, Berks, Bucks, Carbon, Chester, Dauphin, Delaware, Lancaster, Lehigh, Monroe, Montgomery, Northampton, Schuylkill, and York County. In New Jersey, attorney Joseph D. Lento represents clients throughout New Jersey's 21 counties: Atlantic, Bergen, Burlington, Camden, Cape May, Cumberland, Essex, Gloucester, Hudson, Hunterdon, Mercer, Middlesex, Monmouth, Morris, Ocean, Passaic, Salem, Somerset, Sussex, Union, and Warren County, In New York, Attorney Joseph D. Lento represents clients throughout New York's 62 counties. Outside of Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and New York, unless attorney Joseph D. Lento is admitted pro hac vice if needed, his assistance may not constitute legal advice or the practice of law. The decision to hire an attorney in Philadelphia, the Pennsylvania counties, New Jersey, New York, or nationwide should not be made solely on the strength of an advertisement. We invite you to contact the Lento Law Firm directly to inquire about our specific qualifications and experience. Communicating with the Lento Law Firm by email, phone, or fax does not create an attorney-client relationship. The Lento Law Firm will serve as your official legal counsel upon a formal agreement from both parties. Any information sent to the Lento Law Firm before an attorney-client relationship is made is done on a non-confidential basis.

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