Many speeding tickets result from the police officer following or "pacing" a suspected speeder and using his or her own speedometer to estimate the suspect's speed. Make sure you choose a firm who has experience fighting traffic tickets in Pennsylvania. However, this can increase your insurance rates and put your license at risk, especially if you make money as a commercial driver. Afterward, write down everything about the incident, including the time of day, location and anything that might have affected the circumstances, such as obscured or missing speed limit signs. This will involve going to court. 3 points. These lawyers typically specialize in DUIs and more serious cases, but some take speeding ticket cases. 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. Select whether or not you want the letter mailed to the traffic ticket issuer on your behalf! How a speeding ticket is classified depends on several factors. 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. Penalties for Speeding Tickets in Ontario: 0 - 6 demerit points; Fine payable according to table victim fine surcharge to be added; A conviction for speeding will stay on your driving record for 3 years; Possible increase of car insurance premiums with 0 to 3 points with a duration of up to 3 years; Definitely increased insurance premiums . Over the phone by calling (800) 492-2656. 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). Reviewing Your Ticket 1 Check your ticket for accuracy. Call 855-868-1675. if( jQuery(.ajax-loader).hasClass(is-active) ) { Some jurisdictions use similar technology for other traffic violations, such as illegal rail crossings or toll violations. This is different from most states, which use tiered penalties (e.g. But, in order to properly pace a vehicle, the officer must take certain steps. But for a civil complaint such as simple speeding - do not pay! Take note of your precise location and try to get an approximate sense of where the alleged violation took place. You can look forward to: Now make sure to pull a copy of your driving record to ensure that it is clear. Get free quotes from the nation's biggest auto insurance providers. At Berman Law, our Media, PA attorneys represent drivers in Chester County, Delaware County, and Philadelphia County. How to Contest NYC Speeding Camera Tickets and Win. Check the ticket to find out whether a state, county or local officer issued it and search online for traffic procedures in that jurisdiction. 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. You should only plead "guilty with explanation" if you were speeding due to an emergency. 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. When evaluating offers, please review the financial institutions Terms and Conditions. Former police officer gives you the secrets to getting a s. Keep in mind, missing ANY of your court dates could result in: If you cannot make it to your assigned court date, usually you can request a continuance in writing or in person at the applicable PA traffic court. A sympathetic officer may be more likely to issue a warning instead of a ticket. Generally, you must inform the court in person if you plead not guilty. 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. MORE: Comparing auto insurance rates after speeding tickets. Theres nothing fun about the feeling you get when those blue lights flash behind you on the highway. 1. We offer a quick and easy solution to help you win against unfair speeding tickets without the stress of a court appearance. 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. Show respect in your actions and words. Sometimes, just showing up means you win. Nobody wants to get a speeding ticket, and for good reason. Whether you live in the PA city where you received the ticket or want to commute back to the area, pay for your speeding ticket in Pennsylvania in person by going to the court stated on your ticket. In most cases, this includes the Pennsylvania traffic ticket fine AND any court costs and surcharges. An Ohio appeals court issued an interesting decision the other day on the issue of pacing. That's it! Cost money upfront: Youll pay the speeding ticket and any court fees. But you do have an option you can fight your speeding ticket. Remember, you're not making any arguments during cross-examination. If you have been stopped for speeding on the Pennsylvania Turnpike, freeways, highways, or country roads, you might be wondering what to expect, how to contest the ticket, and how much you might have to pay. For example, depending on where you live: Your state may waive your first moving violation if you take a driving course. The judge is the person overseeing the case, who has final authority on the rulings. If you do end up accepting the speeding ticket, its crucial to compare car insurance quotes; some companies will raise your rates more than others. 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 Your best chances to win the argument will be if you have physical proof you werent speeding. You can also fight it or negotiate in court. It may be linked to an automated ticketing system. Shop our 2023 Best-Of Awards list. If you are caught speeding there, you will receive a fine and three points are added to your driving record. Call a Traffic Ticket Attorney It makes sense to call someone who does this for a livingwhose job is to fight traffic violations for people like you. Make witness arrangements. If you ignore it, you may have to pay additional fines and your driver's license can be suspended. 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. If the officer clocks you at greater than 11 miles over the speed limit the ticket grows to $500. Subscribe to our News and Updates to stay in the loop and on the road! If you are facing a speeding ticket or traffic offense that could threaten your license, you may choose to contest the ticket and force the police and Pennsylvania prosecutors office to prove that you committed the traffic offense you were charged with beyond a reasonable doubt. And while our site doesnt feature every company or financial product available on the market, were proud that the guidance we offer, the information we provide and the tools we create are objective, independent, straightforward and free. Our partners compensate us. 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. 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. Traffic Violations 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 In most cases, pa tickets points reduction will end up with you getting between 2 to 5 points. You may think that your only option once you have received a speeding ticket is to pay the fine, watch your insurance rates rise, and accept the addition of points from PennDOT. Research speed equipment. If the judge rules against you, you can appeal the case to a higher court. If the officer doesnt show up at the hearing, you could be off the hook, but dont rely on that. Although paying a $50 ticket might not seem that bad, consider the true cost of a speeding ticket. If you would like to request a hearing within 30 days of the date of your Notice of Violation, you have two options. If convicted of vehicular homicide in an active work zone, drivers will be given up to five additional years of jail time. If you dont attend the hearing, your license will automatically be suspended until you do. Because of this, you need to know EXACTLY what the officer used to measure your speed. If ANY of the rules below are not followed, a driver will have a solid case against the speeding ticket. You can view a breakdown of Pennsylvania's traffic fines, updated in 2014, on the Traffic Injury Prevention Project website. If you win your case, the traffic ticket fines will be returned to you. Check with your insurance provider for more information. Depending on the practices of the presiding court, you may be able to submit your plea and schedule a trial date via various methods. Compare over 50 top car insurance quotes and save. Fighting a Speeding Ticket In Texas And Winning! A speeding ticket can result in huge fines and an increase in your insurance premiums. The police officer, if he shows up, will be the main witness of the prosecution. 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. Hire a Traffic Attorney. Write down the make, model, license plate and unit number of the officer's car. By signing up you are agreeing to receive emails according to our privacy policy. You can verify the status of your driving record at the DMV. It wont just go away on its own, and youll be in much bigger trouble with the law. Try the waterworks. Besides paying the initial fee, after a ticket, your car insurance rates can rise by hundreds of dollars per year. When the officer asks for your license and registration, politely explain where these documents are and ask permission to reach for them. Call 610-565-9696 or contact us online to speak with an attorney today. For more tips from our Legal co-author, like how to prepare for your speeding ticket trial, read on! 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. 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. As the officer is exiting his car, roll down the driver's side window. dispute the ticket. plead guilty with an explanation. This is an important right to be aware of. Many states have enacted legislation . Hawaii wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. Immediately after the officer gives you the written citation, make sure all the information is correct, including anything identifying you or describing your car. Your day in court resembles most other types of hearings. Your case will be given a trial date and assigned to a hearing officer or a judge depending on how severe the violation is and the possible penalties you could face. Cost more money long term: After a ticket, your car insurance rates can rise by hundreds of dollars per year. Comparing auto insurance rates after speeding tickets. When the officer asks you, "Do you know why I stopped you? 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. traffic school or defensive driving course. Box 597 Baltimore, MD 21203-0597 Work Phone: By phone have a meeting with the prosecutor. In order to fight the traffic ticket, the driver must appear before a judge. Looking for Fight Traffic Ticket in another state? Once you get a red light camera ticket, you first need to check the instructions on the violation. Prepare to achieve this goal. However, with proof of PA traffic school or defensive driving course completion, you may still be eligible for discounted car insurance rates. Easily compare personalized rates to see how much switching car insurance could save you. You're only asking questions. 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. You could go to the County Clerk's office and request a trial date. Incorrect Details on Your Ticket Before you do anything else, take a close look at the citation you were given by the officer. If convicted of aggravated assault by vehicle in an active construction zone, drivers can receive up to 2 additional years of jail term. If you have any passenger's, take note of their names and make sure they stay silent during the exchange. The police officer will aim the radar at the target vehicle. On one side of a sheet of paper, note what was said. Politely ask the officer if he can move the court appearance to the county seat. 4 points. 5 points. If this is your first time ever receiving a speeding ticket, some states like New York are willing to dismiss your ticket if you complete a defensive driving course, usually offered in driving schools. Paying a traffic ticket in PA may be done online, by mail, or in person, depending on where you received your citation. The state of Pennsylvania bases the amount of your speeding fine on how fast you were going and what the speed limit was in the area where you were caught speeding. If youre convicted, a violation will: Affect your driving record, possibly resulting in suspension of your license. You can receive points for more than one offense at the same traffic stop. Here is a list of our partners. Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. It rarely pays to argue your case then. A - IL. Find out how to fight a speeding ticket or other traffic offense, and when you should hire our speeding ticket lawyers to help you. After you pass, or serve your suspension, two points will be taken off your record. 1. If the Pennsylvania judge decides you're not guilty of the traffic violations, congrats! Check the PAePay websiteto see if the traffic court your ticket was assigned to accepts online payments, as it varies by county. Ask questions you think might help your case. You should sketch a diagram of the scene that includes all roads, making the width of lanes, traffic controls like lights and signs, the location of your vehicle and the officer's vehicle when you were pulled over, any buildings, power lines, foliage, fences, or other notable features of the area. 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. How much can I save by refinancing my car? Where you cannot win the ticket, delaying the conviction (the finding of guilt . , possibly resulting in suspension of your license. Our opinions are our own. Some get lucky when driving over the speed limit, while others get caught and are hit with hefty fines. When issued , most people simply pay the lower fine; however, if facing the larger ticket or the accumulation of points will cause your license to be suspended, fighting the ticket may be worthwhile. If you find discrepancies with your credit score or information from your credit report, please contact TransUnion directly. Traffic Citations, Speeding Ticket Attorney Plantation - Melanie E. Horowitz, PATraffic Citations, Speeding Ticket Attorney Plantation - Melanie E. Horowitz, PA Description. How to pay a speeding ticket in Maryland. 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. However to beat a radar speeding ticket, you must understand how the radar works. "Pacing" is a method often used by officers to determine whether a driver is speeding. 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 result. You take a driving course instead of paying the 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. Do not sell or share my personal information. You can pay: Online. You do have a right to an attorney but, as previously discussed, this is probably not necessary when fighting a speeding ticket. If you plead "not guilty," focus your defense on either challenging the officer's means of measuring your speed or his identification of your automobile. You should also get some information on the patrol car regarding any recent repairs or damages to the car. 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. Pull over as soon as you see the officer's lights and there is a safe spot to do so. In some areas, you must request mitigation in writing. If you decide to contest the ticket, it is a good idea to bring a speeding ticket defense lawyer with you to that hearing. Merely visiting our websites does not create an attorney-clent relationship with the law offices of Colgan & Associates, LLC. Doctor of Law, University of Wisconsin-Madison. Pre-qualified offers are not binding. Note as many small details as possible. Since it can be difficult to prove you were not guilty when representing yourself in court, you may consider hiring an attorney to fight on your behalf. 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? This information may be different than what you see when you visit a financial institution, service provider or specific products site. When Will a Speeding Ticket Show Up on Insurance? 5 Ways to Effectively Fight Traffic Tickets Five strategies for fighting a traffic ticket. Overall, your strategy to beat a photo radar ticket looks like this: Avoid being served, do not respond for four months. You normally must appear in person to inform the court, although some are now allowing other options. Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 106,613 times. Lacie Glover is an insurance editor and writer and a NerdWallet authority on insurance. However, this can increase your insurance rates and put your license at risk, especially if you make money as a commercial driver. 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. If you do end up accepting the speeding ticket, its crucial to compare. Pennsylvania's speeding ticket point system, however, works similarly to most other states. If there are any discrepancies in the nature of the violation, you can dispute the ticket within 30 days. How Many Points Is a Speeding Ticket In Florida? 2. If you've lost your ticket, contact the county court for information. 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 For example, speeding up to 10 miles over the speed limit is a 2-point violation. This will give you more time to build your case. The far greater consideration is that your insurance costs will rise. Subscribe to stay in the loop & on the road! Speeding in a school zone or exceeding a speed limit by 11 to 15 miles per hour. All financial products, shopping products and services are presented without warranty. 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. In other words, you do not have to testify against yourself. The vast majority of speeding tickets are resolved via plea agreement. We know the law. Trial before a judge. Here are the 16 top reasons cited for getting out of a speeding ticket, and their rates of success as determined by CarInsurance.com: I'm bringing home hot food and didn't want it to get cold (11% . This information may be different than what you see when you visit a financial institution, service provider or specific products site. Even if you were clocked at 26 miles per hour, the ticket is under $50. Stick to questions with short answers and avoid asking why questions. How Many Points Is a 10 MPH Over Speeding Ticket? There is another choiceyou can go to court and fight the ticket with the help of the best Pittsburgh Criminal Defense Attorney. 2. You have the right to remain silent. 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. 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. If you were speeding due to an emergency, consider pleading "Guilty with explanation," which may prevent your insurance premiums from going up.