Generally, you must inform the court in person if you plead not guilty. However, that isnt the only cost youll be assessed. Whatever you do, dont ignore the ticket. 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. For example, depending on where you live: Your state may waive your first moving violation if you take a driving course. However, this can increase your insurance rates and put your license at risk, especially if you make money as a commercial driver. Besides paying the initial fee, after a ticket, your car insurance rates can rise by hundreds of dollars per year. 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% . Where you cannot win the ticket, delaying the conviction (the finding of guilt . Please tell us about what went wrong (required), If we were able to correct this bad experience, would you refer us to friends and family? As a writer, her work was featured in The Associated Press, The Motley Fool and U.S. News & World Report. We offer a quick and easy solution to help you win against unfair speeding tickets without the stress of a court appearance. Although this option is said to result in this matter . This article was co-authored by Clinton M. Sandvick, JD, PhD. If the officer that issued the ticket doesn't show up, it's almost automatically a win for you. Yes, Here's How. Most drivers have sped at one point or another, even if just a couple of miles per hour over the speed limit. Write down the make, model, license plate and unit number of the officer's car. Handle this PROMPTLY as your court may only accept continuances submitted within a specific time frame. If the officer says he will get a search warrant, politely tell him to do so and continue to refuse a search. Although, in Pennsylvania only the Pennsylvania State Police are permitted to use radar. 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. $25 fine for motorists not traveling with their headlights on in posted work zones. To avoid paying an exorbitant amount upfront and over time for a speeding ticket in PA, you can always fight the ticket in court. You should probably avoid testifying against yourself while fighting a speeding ticket as it is unnecessary and could make you look bad. 3 Visit the Department of Motor Vehicles. You have the right to remain silent. If he asks how fast you were going, you do not have to answer the question. 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. Even when the roads are clear I still hit between 20-25 mph, which I believe is not fast enough to where you are moving too quickly to monitor your surroundings. Take notes during the prosecution so you can prepare your cross-examination. Contact the Pennsylvania traffic court in the county where you received your citation for more specific information on how to enter your plea of not guilty. For every ticket that you pay, a percentage goes to the contracted company and the rest goes to the city. If you've lost your ticket, contact the county court for information. When you contest a ticket, you must enter a plea. The far greater consideration is that your insurance costs will rise. Drivers who rack up too many points face consequences like having to take a driver improvement course and license suspension. Violation payment can be made in several manners: Through mail by check, money order, or credit card by detaching the payment coupon enclosed with the violation and mailing payment for the amount due. We have helped over 300,000 people with their problems. How to Fight a Speeding Ticket - What to Do in 10 Steps Contents Remain calm and respectful Sign the paper copy of the ticket Check your contact information on your ticket copy Make sure you know how to handle the citation Read the instructions on how to pay your speeding ticket Attend defensive driving school instead of paying the fine 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). The police officer, if he shows up, will be the main witness of the prosecution. 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. If all this sounds like more than youd want to handle on your own, you can enlist a traffic lawyer to help you. This information may be different than what you see when you visit a financial institution, service provider or specific products site. Even if you think the ticket is unjustified, speeding violations are hard to beat. Considering the officer probably has other cases, there's a good chance he's too busy to come to court or just can't make it. 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. Anytime you are considering contesting a speeding ticket or traffic offense, you should talk to an experienced traffic attorney soon after you get the ticket. Over the phone by calling (800) 492-2656. Look up the method the officer used to clock your speed, note its weaknesses and prepare to present them. As soon as you've entered your plea, begin preparing for trial. Evidence could include dashcam video or GPS data from a smartphone app, or photographic evidence that a speed limit sign was obscured. In some cases, you may be able to look up your traffic ticket online. The goal is to avoid the speeding ticket going on your driving abstract, so that your insurance is not affected. The judge is the person overseeing the case, who has final authority on the rulings. 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. 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. When the officer asks you, "Do you know why I stopped you? This will give you more time to build your case. 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. Sit back and relax while we do the work. To do so, alert the court within 10 days of receiving the notice that you are pleading not guilty. Why Fight a Speeding Ticket? You do have a right to an attorney but, as previously discussed, this is probably not necessary when fighting a speeding ticket. The cost for PA speeding tickets varies according to the speeding scale fineover the posted speed limit. When the officer asks for your license and registration, politely explain where these documents are and ask permission to reach for them. If you plead guilty, over the next six years you may end up paying close to $2500 extra, you'll be getting that much closer to . That's it! Subscribe to our News and Updates to stay in the loop and on the road! Incorrect Details on Your Ticket Before you do anything else, take a close look at the citation you were given by the officer. Overall, your strategy to beat a photo radar ticket looks like this: Avoid being served, do not respond for four months. Making it appear that the witness does not remember facts correctly casts doubt in the judge's eyes. The speed limit in Pennsylvania school zones is 15 miles per hour. Instead, give a noncommittal answer like, "I'm not really sure.". Many or all of the products featured here are from our partners who compensate us. If the officer clocks you at greater than 11 miles over the speed limit the ticket grows to $500. my fine is $166 and I explained that as a teacher I would never consciously put anyone at risk, and that i always respect and obey school crossing zones when kids are crossing/boarding buses. Ask questions you think might help your case. But, in order to properly pace a vehicle, the officer must take certain steps. 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. Provide us with some details on why you believe the citation issued is a mistake. How Pacing Works With this technique, the officer must maintain a constant distance between the police vehicle and the suspect's car long enough to make a reasonably accurate . var gform;gform||(document.addEventListener("gform_main_scripts_loaded",function(){gform.scriptsLoaded=!0}),window.addEventListener("DOMContentLoaded",function(){gform.domLoaded=!0}),gform={domLoaded:!1,scriptsLoaded:!1,initializeOnLoaded:function(o){gform.domLoaded&&gform.scriptsLoaded?o():!gform.domLoaded&&gform.scriptsLoaded?window.addEventListener("DOMContentLoaded",o):document.addEventListener("gform_main_scripts_loaded",o)},hooks:{action:{},filter:{}},addAction:function(o,n,r,t){gform.addHook("action",o,n,r,t)},addFilter:function(o,n,r,t){gform.addHook("filter",o,n,r,t)},doAction:function(o){gform.doHook("action",o,arguments)},applyFilters:function(o){return gform.doHook("filter",o,arguments)},removeAction:function(o,n){gform.removeHook("action",o,n)},removeFilter:function(o,n,r){gform.removeHook("filter",o,n,r)},addHook:function(o,n,r,t,i){null==gform.hooks[o][n]&&(gform.hooks[o][n]=[]);var e=gform.hooks[o][n];null==i&&(i=n+"_"+e.length),gform.hooks[o][n].push({tag:i,callable:r,priority:t=null==t?10:t})},doHook:function(n,o,r){var t;if(r=Array.prototype.slice.call(r,1),null!=gform.hooks[n][o]&&((o=gform.hooks[n][o]).sort(function(o,n){return o.priority-n.priority}),o.forEach(function(o){"function"!=typeof(t=o.callable)&&(t=window[t]),"action"==n?t.apply(null,r):r[0]=t.apply(null,r)})),"filter"==n)return r[0]},removeHook:function(o,n,t,i){var r;null!=gform.hooks[o][n]&&(r=(r=gform.hooks[o][n]).filter(function(o,n,r){return!! Note as many small details as possible. 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. Here are five key ways: 1. Plan your questions. 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. By mail Fill out the Hearing Request Form attached to your Notice of Violation and mail to: Red Light Camera Program P.O. If convicted of vehicular homicide in an active work zone, drivers will be given up to five additional years of jail time. Get your attitude right. However, with proof of PA traffic school or defensive driving course completion, you may still be eligible for discounted car insurance rates. Thank you for your time. Knowing the code well, and having good witnesses and diagrams of the crime scene, can help you win your case this way. A search warrant is required without probable cause. Fighting a speeding ticket is about 3 goals: keeping your driving record clear. I've never had an issue until this particular morning, and I assume I was just severely unlucky this day. Arguably, both are required to accurately testify to speed and identity of the correct vehicle. How to Fight a Speeding Ticket in PA When you receive a speeding ticket or traffic citation, you always have the option to pay the fine and accept the points. Refer to your printed ticket for information about the presiding court handling your case. When you receive a speeding ticket or traffic citation, you always have the option to pay the fine and accept the points. Easily compare personalized rates to see how much switching car insurance could save you. Hire a Traffic Attorney. 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. A sympathetic officer may be more likely to issue a warning instead of a ticket. Exceeding a speed limit by at least 26 miles per hour. In some areas, you must request mitigation in writing. Youll pay the speeding ticket and any court fees. 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. How to Fight a Speeding Ticket If you get a speeding ticket, you may think your only course of action is to pay the fine, accept the points from PennDOT and watch your insurance rates go up. If you do not have previous traffic violations and have a clean driving record, bringing this kind of evidence to court can help your case. A few tears while explaining the circumstances and showing extreme remorse may be all that is needed. For more tips from our Legal co-author, like how to prepare for your speeding ticket trial, read on! You will need to post collateral with the court, usually the cost of the ticket plus court costs or request a waiver of reduction. 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( jQuery(.ajax-loader).hasClass(is-active) ) { document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); jQuery(document).on(click, .wpcf7-submit, function(e){ All this said, can I counter argue this citation, especially given my status as a teacher? 2. Check with your insurance provider for more information. Your citation should include the address to remit your PA speeding ticket payment via mail. Call 855-868-1675. }); 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. Before hiring a lawyer, ask if it will cost you more money to hire a lawyer than if you were to just pay 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. 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. Fighting a Camera Speeding Ticket in Maryland Responding to a Photo Enforced Speeding Ticket Reasons to Challenge the Citation Avoid the $40 Fee and Fight the Charge Responding to a Photo Enforced Speeding Ticket Maryland drivers have three options for responding to a traffic ticket. Upload a photo of your speeding ticket. Lacie Glover spent more than five years covering health care costs and all types of insurance as a NerdWallet writer before becoming an assistant assigning editor in 2019 and later an assigning editor on the insurance team. Show up at court for the hearing date printed on your speeding ticket. Luckily, disputing speeding tickets in Pennsylvania is simple with DoNotPay. It may be linked to an automated ticketing system. 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. Do not sell or share my personal information. If ANY of the rules below are not followed, a driver will have a solid case against the speeding ticket. 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. ", answer, "No, I don't." You can appear before a judge and enter a Not Guilty plea as well as a request for a court date. HOWEVER, some PA traffic courts may allow you to notify them: After informing the court of your plea, you must post collateral. 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. The radar will release a radio wave at one frequency. That's it! Gather information to help successfully dispute the speeding ticket. To do so, the prosecutor will usually call up the officer who issued your citation and ask him a series of questions in an attempt to establish his reliability. A speeding ticket can result in huge fines and an increase in your insurance premiums. 1. Say as little as possible. Pennsylvania police use a number or different methods to track vehicle speed and issue citations. Your driver's license could be canceled, no matter how good your . The penalties you'll face after a guilty verdict will depend on the severity of the traffic charges brought against you. Looking for a lawyer to handle your traffic speeding ticket? By using our site, you agree to our. 4) Tell them who the actual driver was. Be prepared to use this as your defense if the officer is not present on your court date. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/1\/1d\/Fight-a-Speeding-Ticket-Step-1-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Fight-a-Speeding-Ticket-Step-1-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/1\/1d\/Fight-a-Speeding-Ticket-Step-1-Version-2.jpg\/aid3335265-v4-728px-Fight-a-Speeding-Ticket-Step-1-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"