We know how to fight a speeding ticket with efficacy and diligence. 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. Here is a list of our partners and here's how we make money. If the officer cant remember you, he or she might fail to recall details in front of a judge. Look up the method the officer used to clock your speed, note its weaknesses and prepare to present them. You can pay: Online. Why You Should Fight A Speeding Ticket To avoid paying an exorbitant amount upfront and over time for a speeding ticket in PA, you can always fight the ticket in court. 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. The judge is the person overseeing the case, who has final authority on the rulings. You do not want the officer to think you are being hostile or reaching for a weapon. Once you get a red light camera ticket, you first need to check the instructions on the violation. So how do we make money? Do not say, "I was going 62 in a 55 zone," for example. You will need to post collateral with the court, usually the cost of the ticket plus court costs or request a waiver of reduction. If your driving record is otherwise spotless and the ticket is for 11 or less miles over the speed limit, the least expensive option is to enter a plea of No Contest or Guilty and pay the fine. How to beat a Photo Speeding Ticket A notice appears in your mail telling you that you have been caught speeding or running a red light. 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. Check the PAePay websiteto see if the traffic court your ticket was assigned to accepts online payments, as it varies by county. Subscribe to our News and Updates to stay in the loop and on the road! Disclaimer: NerdWallet strives to keep its information accurate and up to date. If you were speeding due to an emergency, consider pleading "Guilty with explanation," which may prevent your insurance premiums from going up. For example, the fine for speeding is $120-$200, and the fine for careless driving is $400-$2000. For example, you could prove you were driving the proper speed or the radar reading was inaccurate. How a speeding ticket is classified depends on several factors. plead guilty with an explanation. On average, a 40-year-old driver with good credit and minimum coverage will pay $148 more per year with one speeding ticket on their record. 4 ways to beat a speeding ticket. That's it! NerdWallet Compare, Inc. NMLS ID# 1617539, NMLS Consumer Access|Licenses and Disclosures, California: California Finance Lender loans arranged pursuant to Department of Financial Protection and Innovation Finance Lenders License #60DBO-74812, Property and Casualty insurance services offered through NerdWallet Insurance Services, Inc. (CA resident license no. You could mail a copy of the citation to the courthouse, along with a request for a trial date. Thankfully, there are successful ways to fight a speeding ticket. You want to see how much a conviction would affect your insurance premiums and whether the raise would be more or less than it would be if you simply accepted responsibility and paid the fine. If you choose this option, be sure to return the plea and payment by the time stated on the ticket to prevent a bench warrant from being issued for your arrest. The best tactic is to comply with the officer's requests, responding without embellishment. 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. If you do end up accepting the speeding ticket, its crucial to compare. Fighting with the police officer never increases your chances of leniency. Instruction manuals include maintenance schedules you can question the officer about, and they may note radar gun weaknesses, for example. The steps to fighting your Pennsylvania traffic ticket can differ from court to court, though generally, the process consists of the following: Consider hiring a traffic ticket lawyer PRIOR to your court appearance(s). 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. e.preventDefault(); You can view a breakdown of Pennsylvania's traffic fines, updated in 2014, on the Traffic Injury Prevention Project website. Learn about different traffic ticket defense strategies, from disputing the officer's presentation of evidence to arguing your ticketed driving was somehow justified. Do what the officer asks of you without arguing or getting defensive. If you recently received a speeding ticket in PA, don't just pay the fine without a fight. Sit back and relax while we do the work. Your citation should include the address to remit your PA speeding ticket payment via mail. However, the best way to avoid losing money over a speeding ticket is to simply plead "not guilty" and fight the ticket in court. You have the right to remain silent. You should probably avoid testifying against yourself while fighting a speeding ticket as it is unnecessary and could make you look bad. 4) Tell them who the actual driver was. If you receive a speeding ticket, the fine amount will be printed right on it. If you accept a plea bargain and plead guilty, your car insurance rates could go up! 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. You can get certain records at the DMV that can help you with your case. Winning the case will result in a refund of the collateral you have paid and protect your driving record. You have 10 days to respond to the citation. We believe everyone should be able to make financial decisions with confidence. [2] It has to be significant, however. If you've lost your ticket, contact the county court for information. 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. Try the waterworks. Evidence could include dashcam video or GPS data from a smartphone app, or photographic evidence that a speed limit sign was obscured. Now is not the time to fight your case. The goal is to avoid the speeding ticket going on your driving abstract, so that your insurance is not affected. Do not sell or share my personal information. Successfully overturning 200,000 tickets, DoNotPay understands the steps to make traffic tickets go away without paying ridiculous fees. Cost money upfront: Youll pay the speeding ticket and any court fees. You have the right to a court trial with a judge. Save Penalties: The penalties for traffic tickets in Ontario can be significant. Other ways an officer can clock your speed are using a timing device such as a stopwatch or VASCAR, or following behind you clocking your speed using their speedometer. 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. As soon as you've entered your plea, begin preparing for trial. NOTE: This blog article is for advertising and general informational purposes only, and should not be relied upon by any individual seeking to represent himself or herself in any legal proceeding in any jurisdiction. How to Get a Judge to Dismiss a Speeding Ticket from Your Phone, Can You Dispute Chicago Speeding Tickets? First, look over your citation. 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. 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 All this said, can I counter argue this citation, especially given my status as a teacher? However, this can increase your insurance rates and put your license at risk, especially if you make money as a commercial driver. 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. saving any demerit points. Sign up and well send you Nerdy articles about the money topics that matter most to you along with other ways to help you get more from your money. If you opt to represent yourself, you'll need to have some familiarity with the procedures of Pennsylvania traffic court before fighting your ticket. Lacie is a NerdWallet authority on insurance products and loves data, analytics and solving SEO mysteries. Merely visiting our websites does not create an attorney-clent relationship with the law offices of Colgan & Associates, LLC. Pay attention to your shirt color, any small dents or cracks in your car, and any noticeable physical characteristics of the officer. It wont just go away on its own, and youll be in much bigger trouble with the law. Theres nothing fun about the feeling you get when those blue lights flash behind you on the highway. A jury will usually not be called in for traffic court. NerdWallet writer Philip Reed contributed to this report. Traffic Tickets - Getting an Attorney's Help Fighting traffic tickets in Pennsylvania is a procedure that can be initiated by submitting a "not guilty" plea to the court that is processing your citation. Speeding ticket fines are the same throughout Pennsylvania, and are set based on fast you were going, and what the posted speed limit was: If you were in a work zone at the time you were clocked speeding, your fines will be doubled. When evaluating offers, please review the financial institutions Terms and Conditions. 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. Take note of any weather conditions, such as rainfall or clouds, that could obscure the officer's judgment. 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. If you are caught speeding there, you will receive a fine and three points are added to your driving record. If you are convicted of a traffic offence, you may also be required to pay a victim surcharge and court costs. Where you cannot win the ticket, delaying the conviction (the finding of guilt . A speeding ticket can result in huge fines and an increase in your insurance premiums. The penalties that you face may include the cancellation of your driver's license. A search warrant is required without probable cause. Note that paying your speeding ticket in PA is considered an admission of guilt. HOWEVER, some PA traffic courts may allow you to notify them: After informing the court of your plea, you must post collateral. Your best chances to win the argument will be if you have physical proof you werent speeding. The radar will release a radio wave at one frequency. Pennsylvania police use a number or different methods to track vehicle speed and issue citations. You have the right to cross-examine anyone who testifies against you, which usually means the officer who wrote the citation. When you receive a traffic citation for speeding, the amount of the fine will be printed right on the ticket. Besides paying the initial fee, after a ticket, your car insurance rates can rise by hundreds of dollars per year. There are three main types of devices that officers may use in order to determine a person's speed: Radar, VASCAR/ENRADD, and the officer's speedometer. 9 Best Car Insurance Companies of March 2023, The Difference Between Comprehensive and Collision Coverage, Get more smart money moves straight to your inbox. 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. Subscribe to stay in the loop & on the road! Worse, being rude or uncooperative can be counterproductive. Unfortunately, enrolling in a defensive driving course will not reduce points on your Pennsylvania driving record. It may be linked to an automated ticketing system. If you ask for a hearing, plan to make your case and be questioned before a judge. 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 Why Fight a Speeding Ticket? However, if you want to give some answer do not admit guilt here. Shop our 2023 Best-Of Awards list. 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. 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. You can also fight it or negotiate in court. Read more. 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. When the officer asks for your license and registration, politely explain where these documents are and ask permission to reach for them. Cost more money long term: After a ticket, your car insurance rates can rise by hundreds of dollars per year. If you decide to fight the ticket in court. Before you try to fight a speeding ticket, check with your insurance to see how much your premiums will increase if you fight the ticket and lose since they might go up more than if you were to just plead guilty. If all this sounds like more than youd want to handle on your own, you can enlist a traffic lawyer to help you. Get your attitude right. Call your DMV or licensing agency to see if your state has a similar program. But you do have an option you can fight your speeding ticket. What can we do for you? Make witness arrangements. 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. Be polite, dont argue, and try to be unremarkable. That's it! Your license will automatically be suspended. OK92033) Property & Casualty Licenses, NerdWallet | 55 Hawthorne St. - 11th Floor, San Francisco, CA 94105. Even if you were clocked at 26 miles per hour, the ticket is under $50. If you recently received a traffic ticket in Pennsylvania, and have the means to prove it was issued. 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. Depending on the practices of the presiding court, you may be able to submit your plea and schedule a trial date via various methods. 2. 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. Looking for a lawyer to handle your traffic speeding ticket? Besides helping you win against speeding tickets in PA, DoNotPay can help you solve all your traffic ticket needs and other issues. 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? Generally, you must inform the court in person if you plead not guilty. 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. 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. As Commanding General, he led the Union Army to victory in the American Civil War in 1865 and thereafter briefly served as secretary . Speeding ticket fines in PAcan range from around $45-over $100. (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. The police officer, if he shows up, will be the main witness of the prosecution. Yes, Here's How. How Many Points Is a Speeding Ticket In Florida? The options that the traffic court gives you are: pay the ticket. Alabama; Alaska; . Because of this, you need to know EXACTLY what the officer used to measure your speed. No bawling is necessary. Motorists can be cited for exceeding the speed limit by only one mph. Your day in court resembles most other types of hearings. This stretch of road is right around the corner of my house and I drive it every morning to work in another district, so I'm familiar with the protocols when children are crossing the street to the school on the other side. It rarely pays to argue your case then. Pleading "No Contest" means you're not contending the charges but not pleading guilty either. Posting bail means you've already paid your fine, so if you lose your case there will be no additional fees. Check the ticket to find out whether a state, county or local officer issued it and search online for traffic procedures in that jurisdiction. Youll pay the speeding ticket and any court fees. If you decide to contest the ticket, it is a good idea to bring a speeding ticket defense lawyer with you to that hearing. Remember, this is not an admission of guilt. 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). Number two: If you get charged with a criminal offense such as reckless or negligent driving, DUI, vehicular homicide or hit-and-run, hire an attorney. Select whether or not you want the letter mailed to the traffic ticket issuer on your behalf! You can verify the status of your driving record at the DMV. How Long Do You Have to Pay a Speeding Ticket? The prosecution will strive to prove you're guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. How much can I save by refinancing my car? Our partners cannot pay us to guarantee favorable reviews of their products or services. Fighting speeding tickets in Pennsylvania can be easier than you think if you enlist the help of DoNotPay. You have the right to subpoena witnesses or documents. To do this, you must send a written request to the court noted on your ticket to request a hearing, and then showing up on the assigned court date. If the prosecution fails to prove the case against you, you will be found not guilty. Be prepared to use this as your defense if the officer is not present on your court date. 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 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? Comparing auto insurance rates after speeding tickets. You can try representing yourself or retain an attorney to negotiate on your behalf or fight the ticket. If youre convicted, a violation will: Affect your driving record, possibly resulting in suspension of your license. Make sure you choose a firm who has experience fighting traffic tickets in Pennsylvania. Take notes during the prosecution so you can prepare your cross-examination. In-person at any local District Court or the. Get free quotes from the nation's biggest auto insurance providers. Stick to questions with short answers and avoid asking why questions. 1999 - 2023 DMV.ORG. A traffic lawyer costs between $250 and $350 on average nationally, according to Thumbtack, an online marketplace for service professionals. 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. 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. $25 fine for motorists not traveling with their headlights on in posted work zones. 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. The speed limit in Pennsylvania school zones is 15 miles per hour. If you're trying to prove his radar system was faulty, ask if he was aware at the time of the citation his radar device was 3 weeks overdue for basic maintenance. Fighting a Speeding Ticket in Pennsylvania The penalties for a speeding ticket can include fines, points on your record, and a suspended license. Many people don't bother fighting a traffic ticket because it may not seem worth the time and effort. Drivers who rack up too many points face consequences like having to take a driver improvement course and license suspension. 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.