5 winning strategies to fight that traffic ticket

There's no more sinking feeling than seeing those swirling red and blue police lights in one's rear view mirror. A traffic ticket can be far more than an annoyance; the true costs can rise far above the ticket fee.
Depending on the traffic code violation you're charged with, coupled
with your driving record and accident history, that ticket could cause
your auto insurance rates to spike or your policy to be cancelled altogether.
That citation might even threaten your driver's license, damaging
both your lifestyle and, quite possibly, your livelihood.
So the next time you see that police officer at your window, it may be
time to seek legal help. Here are five key ways:
1. Know when to fight
The time to fight that traffic ticket isn't when the officer is writing
you up. It rarely pays to argue your case then. Worse, being rude or uncooperative
can be counterproductive.
The best tactic is to comply with the officer's requests, responding
without embellishment. When it comes time to fight that ticket, you might
need the officer to compromise. At the very least, you never want the
officer against you.
2. Protect your driver's license
Certain non-DUI moving violations are more serious than others, with a
few even resulting in the suspension of your driver's license. One
of the most common and most serious is passing a school bus when its red
lights are flashing. Being found guilty of this infraction results in
an automatic 60-day license suspension in Pennsylvania. In addition, speeding
and other moving violations that occur in active work zones often carry
the risk of a driver's license suspension, too - even if no one is
actually working at the time.
With so much at stake, anyone facing these types of violations should
seek legal representation.
3. Add up the points
Pennsylvania, like many states, has a point system associated with most
of its moving violations. The more serious the violation or the higher
over the speed limit the driver is accused of going, the more points placed
against the driver's license. These points can add up, too, meaning
that even minor violations can threaten one's driver's license
and auto insurance coverage if you are found guilty over a short period of time.
Drivers facing any type of traffic citation should know their score. For
example, going 11-15 mph over the speed limit carries a three-point hit.
Should the same violation occur in an active work zone, points can double
and your driver's license can be placed at risk.
Getting caught going 26 to 30 mph over the speed limit carries a five-point
hit. Anything above 31 mph over, and you face a departmental hearing and
possible 15-day license suspension.
Motorists must know their scores because the second time a driver accumulates
more than six points, he or she faces a department hearing and a possible
15-day license suspension. By contrast, the more time a driver can log
between violations, the better. Pennsylvania drops a point a year from
one's driving record, rewarding safe drivers.
4. Know the secret code
There's a little-known loophole to Pennsylvania's driver's
license point system known as moving violation code Section 3111. This
code, which covers obedience to traffic control devices, carries no points.
I often seek an agreement with the police officer and/or magisterial district
judge to plead to Section 3111, instead of the original charge. If you
were courteous to the police officer who issued to the ticket, most won't object.
The driver still pays a fine, often at the original amount, but the driver
saves far more when it comes to avoiding points and the costs associated
with increased auto insurance rates and an at-risk license.
5. Let a lawyer drive your case
A lawyer in the driver's seat will assess your overall driving record
and points, and review the alleged incident for possible problems with
traffic control and enforcement devices.
We will negotiate with both the officer and the district judge. We will
appear in court in your stead to handle the resolution of your case. And
when need be, we can file a summary appeal of your traffic conviction
to the Court of Common Pleas.
Even if you already pled guilty to a traffic violation, we have up to
30 days to appeal your case to county court, where a new round of negotiations
with the district attorney's office can be opened in hopes of a more
favorable resolution.
All this can save you time, points, insurance costs -- and your driver's license.