Traffic Tickets, License Suspensions, and License Restoration
How a minor violation of the law can turn into a major headache: All traffic tickets have at least one thing in common, they can not be ignored. If you ignore a traffic ticket, the criminal court that issued the traffic violation informs the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation ("PennDOT") about your failure to respond to the traffic citation. When PennDOT learns that you failed to respond to a traffic ticket, it suspends your driver's license indefinitely. But even if you do respond, you could still have problems.
Points and Driver License Suspensions: When you are convicted of certain traffic violations, PennDOT assigns points to your driver's license. How many points, depends on the violation. When you have too many points, PennDOT suspends your driver's license. The Pennsylvania Point System, a guide provided by PennDOT, explains all of this in great detail. Download the form here and give me a call at 215.564.6544, if you want to fight your tickets.
Fight Your Traffic Tickets and Save Money: Protect yourself from higher car insurance rates, points/suspensions, and a bad driving record. Your automobile insurance rates could increase as a result of traffic violations or license suspensions of any driver listed on your insurance policy. (See Your guide to Auto Insurance Premiums, which is provided by the Pennsylvania Insurance Department.) Not only can your car insurance go up, how are you going to pay for the increase, not to mention your rent, if you can not drive to work?
Get Professional Legal Advice from a Knowlegeable Traffic Lawyer: There's an old saying, "A lawyer who represents himself has a fool for a client." So, even though you are not required to have an attorney represent you, you should. An experienced traffic attorney knows the best way to fight your traffic ticket(s). Sometimes traffic tickets can be thrown out because of legal technicalities. Sometimes traffic citations can be thrown out because of a lack of evidence. And sometimes, it's best to cut a deal and pay some "road tax," to avoid points and/or license suspensions. If you would like me to give you professional legal advice, call 215.564.6544 to schedule your free initial consultation.
Getting Your Suspended Driver's License Back
Getting your suspended driver's license back does not have to be a waiting game. Just because PennDOT told you your dreiver's license is suspended and you will not be allowed to drive for a certain amount of time, does not mean that you have to wait. It may be possible to appeal the suspension and fight the underlying traffic violation. Call me at 215.564.6544 to find out more or visit www.fixmylicense.com.
Do not delay! Once your driver's license is suspended, the longer you wait, the harder it is to get it back. Your right to file a traffic court appeal or PennDOT appeal is only thirty days. But it is possible to file an appeal beyond the thirty day deadline under circumstances. The further beyond the deadline you are, the less likely it is you will be allowed to file your appeal late. So do not wait! Call me at 215.564.6544.
E-mail: askalawyer@thechotinerfirm.com