If you have been cited for a traffic violation in West Chester, PA, and want to fight your ticket, a lawyer from McKenzie Law Firm, P.C., can review your situation and advise you on your next steps. Traffic infractions can add points to your Pennsylvania driver’s license if you are found guilty of any moving violations.
If you get six or more points on your license, the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) will take action against you, which could lead to losing your driving privileges or your license altogether. We offer a free consultation to evaluate your case and explain further how a traffic ticket lawyer in West Chester, PA, can help you protect your future.
Instead of paying your traffic citation right away, you can challenge law enforcement’s observation or account of your driving behavior. If you pay the ticket, it is akin to admitting you are guilty of what you have been cited for. Traffic tickets can be more than just mere inconveniences. They can also result in:
You also face the possibility of losing your insurance altogether. It could be challenging to get car insurance with points on your license. Insurance providers can opt to reject you after viewing your license points and driving history. By challenging a traffic ticket, you can protect your driving record and your pocketbook.
If you are issued a traffic ticket or citation in West Chester, PA, we will review it during your free consultation. Our legal team will explain your rights under the law and what it means if you plead guilty to a traffic violation versus pleading not guilty.
Working with a traffic ticket lawyer from our firm will ensure your side of the story is heard. We will represent you in a hearing and work to get the penalty of your citation reduced or dismissed. We will also work to get the points on your license reduced. It is important to understand the penalties you could face in your situation. If you hire a traffic ticket lawyer from our firm to fight your West Chester, PA, ticket, we will:
If you have been cited for violations that allege certain actions on your part, such as texting while driving, drinking and driving, or driving recklessly, we will build a case showing that you did not break the law(s) you were cited for.
In Pennsylvania, it is state law for all drivers to have current auto liability insurance and vehicle registration at all times. Title 75 of the Pennsylvania Vehicle Code contains information on state driving requirements, rules for operating a vehicle, fines, penalties, and other important information. Drivers in the Borough of West Chester, Chester County, PA, must also follow all traffic laws in the jurisdiction where they operate a vehicle.
If you receive a citation in West Chester, you have 14 days to contest it from the date you received the citation. Per the borough, there are more than 20 infractions that drivers are commonly cited for. These citations include being double-parked, parked in an intersection or crosswalk, or blocking a driveway or traffic. Motorists can also be cited for parking on private property.
You can get a traffic ticket for various violations categorized as minor, serious, and major. The more severe an offense is, the higher the penalty. For example, a person who holds a commercial driver’s license (CDL) will be held to higher penalties than someone with a state-issued non-commercial driver’s license.
Not all traffic tickets are the same. Offenses that are considered minor or serious come with different consequences than those in the major offense category. Minor offenses include:
If you are cited for a traffic misdemeanor in Pennsylvania, your penalties will fall in one of three categories:
All of the above are considered felony traffic violations that can result in fines and other penalties, including criminal charges and jail time. If you are facing any of these, you could receive the following penalties:
Many people ignore or put off paying a traffic ticket, especially if the fine is small or they think they didn’t do anything wrong. However, Pennsylvania drivers who don’t pay their tickets are taking a risk they may learn later they cannot afford.
Our legal team with McKenzie Law Firm, P.C., can speak with you to learn more about your citation. We will discuss if our traffic ticket lawyer in West Chester, PA, can defend you against the charges in your case. We may be able to get them lowered or dismissed altogether, preserving your driving record and giving you peace of mind when you get back on the road. Call us today at (610) 991-7219 for your free case evaluation.
