You can fight your traffic ticket by scheduling a court hearing. Hawaii But, in order to properly pace a vehicle, the officer must take certain steps. Incorrect Details on Your Ticket Before you do anything else, take a close look at the citation you were given by the officer. Based on your jurisdiction, your speeding offense may be considered an infraction, misdemeanor or felony. Your best chances to win the argument will be if you have physical proof you werent speeding. 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). Stick to questions with short answers and avoid asking why questions. 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. It rarely pays to argue your case then. Take notes during the prosecution so you can prepare your cross-examination. A speeding ticket costs anywhere from $50 up to $2,500 in some states in the severest cases. If convicted, your charges could result in, You (or your attorney) and the PA state prosecutor submit. 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. On the other side, note your possible comments and questions to raise during cross-examination. Fighting speeding tickets in Pennsylvania can be easier than you think if you enlist the help of DoNotPay. That's it! 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. 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. To avoid paying an exorbitant amount upfront and over time for a speeding ticket in PA, you can always fight the ticket in court. It is possible to beat a radar speeding ticket. A speeding ticket can result in huge fines and an increase in your insurance premiums. 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. Many states have enacted legislation . saving any demerit points. Make sure you choose a firm who has experience fighting traffic tickets in Pennsylvania. Although paying a $50 ticket might not seem that bad, consider the true cost of a speeding ticket. However, this can increase your insurance rates and put your license at risk, especially if you make money as a commercial driver. That's it! 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. 1. 13. However to beat a radar speeding ticket, you must understand how the radar works. Reviewing Your Ticket 1 Check your ticket for accuracy. Save Penalties: The penalties for traffic tickets in Ontario can be significant. In most cases, this includes the Pennsylvania traffic ticket fine AND any court costs and surcharges. MORE: How much can I save by refinancing my car? Easily compare personalized rates to see how much switching car insurance could save you. 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 Learn about different traffic ticket defense strategies, from disputing the officer's presentation of evidence to arguing your ticketed driving was somehow justified. Find out how to fight a speeding ticket or other traffic offense, and when you should hire our speeding ticket lawyers to help you. 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. These lawyers typically specialize in DUIs and more serious cases, but some take speeding ticket cases. 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. How Long Do You Have to Pay a Speeding Ticket? 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. Your trial will occur within 45 days of the day you enter you plea. Her work has been featured by USA Today, U.S. News and World Report and The Associated Press. You can try representing yourself or retain an attorney to negotiate on your behalf or fight the ticket. We offer a quick and easy solution to help you win against unfair speeding tickets without the stress of a court appearance. Your driver's license could be canceled, no matter how good your . Provide us with some details on why you believe the citation issued is a mistake. Her work has been featured by USA Today, U.S. News and World Report and The Associated Press. Your sentence could include any of the following: NOTE: According the federal law, all commercial drivers MUST notify their employer of traffic charges within 30 days of conviction. YesNo. Alabama; Alaska; . Try the waterworks. If the prosecution fails to prove the case against you, you will be found not guilty. Traffic school is one of the best options for most people who get a speeding ticket, so you should at least check to see if it's an option where you live. For example, depending on where you live: Your state may waive your first moving violation if you take a driving course. How to beat a speeding ticket. Remember, you're not making any arguments during cross-examination. You may notify them: Online (court's website) By phone Speeding tickets have more penalties than just a fine. However, if you dont pass within 30 days, your license will be suspended until you do. Although, in Pennsylvania only the Pennsylvania State Police are permitted to use radar. Besides helping you win against speeding tickets in PA, DoNotPay can help you solve all your traffic ticket needs and other issues. 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. Law Firm Website Design by The Modern Firm, Emergency medical service (EMS) surcharge: $10, Judicial computer program / access to justice account surcharge: $10, General fund surcharges: $30-300 depending on the traffic offense and your driving history, Court Costs: $37 or $45 if you request a hearing, Fourth or higher suspension = 1 year, no matter how many points, You are facing a potential suspension because of points, Your ticket is based off a VASCAR device reading (these devices must be properly calibrated and are often inaccurate), Police committed errors in tracking your vehicle, issuing the citation to the right vehicle, or performing the stop, You believe your officer may not show up to the hearing. If you choose to plead guilty to a speeding ticket in Pennsylvania, there are several ways to pay the fine within the deadline stated on your ticket. (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. 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. If you're searching for an easy way to get out of a speeding ticketin Pennsylvania or any other state, DoNotPay can help. You can call in witnesses, including any passengers in the car when the ticket was issued. If you opt to represent yourself, you'll need to have some familiarity with the procedures of Pennsylvania traffic court before fighting your ticket. You take a driving course instead of paying the speeding ticket. Research speed equipment. Typically in mitigation, you admit to the offense and present information that would lead a judge to grant you leniency. 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. 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. MORE: Comparing auto insurance rates after speeding tickets. Make witness arrangements. If you would like to request a hearing within 30 days of the date of your Notice of Violation, you have two options. Doctor of Law, University of Wisconsin-Madison. You do not want to pull over in an intersection or anywhere else you might obstruct traffic. Why You Should Fight A Speeding Ticket Mitigation is making a deal with the prosecutor and court; it saves the jurisdiction money by avoiding a hearing while lowering your penalty for the ticket. Look up the method the officer used to clock your speed, note its weaknesses and prepare to present them. Do not sell or share my personal information. How much can I save by refinancing my car? 3 Visit the Department of Motor Vehicles. 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. You should also get some information on the patrol car regarding any recent repairs or damages to the car. Cost more money long term: After a ticket, your car insurance rates can rise by hundreds of dollars per year. Most drivers have sped at one point or another, even if just a couple of miles per hour over the speed limit. All financial products, shopping products and services are presented without warranty. 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% . 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 . If you are convicted of a traffic offence, you may also be required to pay a victim surcharge and court costs.