To do so, alert the court within 10 days of receiving the notice that you are pleading not guilty. Technicalities can also help you get your ticket dismissed. 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 to beat a speeding ticket. 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). For example, depending on where you live: Your state may waive your first moving violation if you take a driving course. You may notify them: Online (court's website) By phone If you recently received a traffic ticket in Pennsylvania, and have the means to prove it was issued. The first step to prepping for your defense is to make a trip to the Department of Motor Vehicles. 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.) [2] It has to be significant, however. Pleading "No Contest" means you're not contending the charges but not pleading guilty either. Plan your questions. Get you tickets dismissed easy. Do what the officer asks of you without arguing or getting defensive. MORE: How much can I save by refinancing my car? You want him to like you. Thank you for your time. If you have any passenger's, take note of their names and make sure they stay silent during the exchange. 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. Read more. 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. {"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":"

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\n<\/p><\/div>"}. You may also be required to pass an on-road drivers exam. Write down the make, model, license plate and unit number of the officer's car. If caught speedingwhile driving through Pennsylvania, you can expect to pay a hefty fine. Do not say something like, "I wasn't speeding. You can also get the ticket dismissed by proving a factual error. 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. Sit back and relax while we do the work. Note that paying your speeding ticket in PA is considered an admission of guilt. Take note of your precise location and try to get an approximate sense of where the alleged violation took place. Get your attitude right. If you would like to request a hearing within 30 days of the date of your Notice of Violation, you have two options. 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. Select whether or not you want the letter mailed to the traffic ticket issuer on your behalf! A - IL. To avoid paying an exorbitant amount upfront and over time for a speeding ticket in PA, you can always fight the ticket in court. Look up your states motor vehicle code, carefully read the speed law you allegedly broke and prepare to argue that you didnt. By mail Fill out the Hearing Request Form attached to your Notice of Violation and mail to: Red Light Camera Program P.O. 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. The court handling the ticket should be included on the ticket. 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. 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. You should get documents on the radar device used to determine your speed to check for any malfunctions or recent repairs. You can submit a discovery subpoena to the court to get certain documents that may help your case. Once you get a red light camera ticket, you first need to check the instructions on the violation. How a speeding ticket is classified depends on several factors. This article was co-authored by Clinton M. Sandvick, JD, PhD. In other words, you do not have to testify against yourself. That way you can decide whether to contest the ticket or pay the fine. 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. ; some companies will raise your rates more than others. 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. Your driver's license could be canceled, no matter how good your . Handle this PROMPTLY as your court may only accept continuances submitted within a specific time frame. Research speed equipment. Now that I got the basics out of the way, I'll get into the tactics to beat your photo radar ticket. Check the violation and fines, and make certain that your name, address, vehicle information and license number are all correct. Check the PAePay websiteto see if the traffic court your ticket was assigned to accepts online payments, as it varies by county. Former police officer gives you the secrets to getting a s. Pennsylvania's speeding ticket point system, however, works similarly to most other states. If you ignore it, you may have to pay additional fines and your driver's license can be suspended. Select whether or not you want the letter mailed to the traffic ticket issuer on your behalf! dispute the ticket. Depending on the practices of the presiding court, you may be able to submit your plea and schedule a trial date via various methods. Our attorneys can be reached at (614) 361-2804. For every ticket that you pay, a percentage goes to the contracted company and the rest goes to the city. 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". First, look over your citation. 3 points. Your license will automatically be suspended. Ensure you understand all the penalties & implications for a speeding ticket before deciding to pay the ticket. Instruction manuals include maintenance schedules you can question the officer about, and they may note radar gun weaknesses, for example. When the officer asks you, "Do you know why I stopped you? Here is a list of our partners and here's how we make money. It is merely an acknowledgment that you received the citation and understand you're receiving a speeding ticket. Disclaimer: NerdWallet strives to keep its information accurate and up to date. Call your DMV or licensing agency to see if your state has a similar program. Look out for your traffic ticket issuer's response to discover whether you won! Over the phone by calling (800) 492-2656. Each traffic offense carries 2-5 points. When your driving privileges are on the line, it isnt just a speeding ticket. 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. Speeding tickets have more penalties than just a fine. You do not want the officer to think you are being hostile or reaching for a weapon. You can try representing yourself or retain an attorney to negotiate on your behalf or fight the ticket. If the officer says he will get a search warrant, politely tell him to do so and continue to refuse a search. 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. Show up at court for the hearing date printed on your speeding ticket. Although you have the right to represent yourself in court, you will likely feel much more comfortable with the help of a traffic attorney. An Ohio appeals court issued an interesting decision the other day on the issue of pacing. Typically in mitigation, you admit to the offense and present information that would lead a judge to grant you leniency. Your best chances to win the argument will be if you have physical proof you werent speeding. As the officer is exiting his car, roll down the driver's side window. However, this can increase your insurance rates and put your license at risk, especially if you make money as a commercial driver. Here is a list of our partners. The far greater consideration is that your insurance costs will rise. When you contest a ticket, you must enter a plea. 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. Pull over as soon as you see the officer's lights and there is a safe spot to do so. 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 Make sure you choose a firm who has experience fighting traffic tickets in Pennsylvania. Fighting speeding tickets in Pennsylvania can be easier than you think if you enlist the help of DoNotPay. OK92033) Property & Casualty Licenses, NerdWallet | 55 Hawthorne St. - 11th Floor, San Francisco, CA 94105. Fighting a Speeding Ticket In Texas And Winning! The True Cost of a Speeding Ticket The actual cost of the ticket should not be your primary concern. 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. 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. I'm really angered by this and want to know what I can do to plead my case. Traffic attorney explains 20 ways to defend yourself if you have a speeding ticket. Fighting a speeding ticket is about 3 goals: keeping your driving record clear. 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. $50 for speeding by 5-9 and $75 for speeding by 10-19). Cost money upfront: Youll pay the speeding ticket and any court fees. If the officer does not show, which happens sometimes, you will be found not guilty. If you are found guilty, you will also have to pay the penalties and fines. Our partners compensate us. 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. When Will a Speeding Ticket Show Up on Insurance? wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. 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. Prepare to achieve this goal. This influences which products we write about and where and how the product appears on a page. 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. Instantly compare top auto insurance companies. Box 597 Baltimore, MD 21203-0597 Work Phone: By phone How to Get a Speeding Ticket Dismissed In Tennessee Quickly. If the officer that issued the ticket doesn't show up, it's almost automatically a win for you.