Since traffic offenses are a pretty common occurrence in Philadelphia and the rest of Pennsylvania, many people charged with a traffic offense think nothing of it, pay the fine, and move on. However, it is important to note that even for smaller violations like speeding or failure to yield there can be severe consequences if you become a repeat offender and exceed the points allowed on your license through Pennsylvania's Driving Point System.
There are also more serious offenses that fall under this category that one may not associate with offenses like speeding. These offenses can involve jail time, and include hit and run, driving without a license, driving while license is suspended, and vehicular homicide. For all traffic offenses, no matter how minor or serious, an experienced defense attorney can fight to protect your license and your driving privileges in Pennsylvania.
Traffic Attorney in Philadelphia
Joseph Lento has nearly 15 years of experience working with the justice field, and he will build a strong defense to protect your rights and your driving privileges in Philadelphia. Additionally, Joseph Lento founded his practice on the premise of providing personal service while assisting people through the Pennsylvania court process. This means that all clients are important, no matter the offense involved.
If you have been charged with a minor traffic violation or a more serious traffic offense, call (215) 535-5353 today for your free initial consultation with Joseph Lento on your Philadelphia traffic case.
Information on Pennsylvania Traffic Crimes
- Common Traffic Offenses and Their Penalties
- Pennsylvania Driving Point System
- Point System Penalties
- Philadelphia Traffic Resources
Common Serious Philadelphia Traffic Offenses and Their Penalties
When it comes to traffic violations, it is easy to think only of common charges like speeding or running a red light. However, there are much more serious traffic-related offenses that have penalties to match – especially if property damage, personal injury, or even death is involved.
It is particularly important in these offenses to have an experienced Philadelphia traffic attorney on your side to defend your rights and protect your privileges. Some of the most common serious traffic offenses in Philadelphia and their penalties include:
Driving with Suspended License or Revoked License
- Summary offense
- $200 fine
- 1-2 years of license suspension, in addition to any already in place
- 75 Pa. Cons. Stat. §1543
- Also known as reckless driving
- Summary offense
- $200 fine
- 75 Pa. Cons. Stat. §3736
Fleeing or Attempting to Elude Law Enforcement
- Second-degree misdemeanor
- $500
- Other punishment assigned by judge
- 75 Pa. Cons. Stat. §3733
Leaving the Scene of an Accident
- Also known as hit-and-run
- First-degree misdemeanor
- Up to 5 years of prison
- $10,000 fine
- 75 Pa. Cons. Stat. §3744
Vehicular Homicide
- Homicide by vehicle with reckless driving only – does not include DUI
- Third-degree Felony
- Up to 5 years of prison
- 75 Pa. Cons. Stat. §3733
Pennsylvania Driving Point System
For every Pennsylvania traffic conviction you receive, the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (or PennDOT) adds points to your driving record. The number of points is based on the severity of the offense. If you receive six or more points, PennDOT will begin to take corrective action, with severity increasing as the points accrued increase. To remove points, a driver must avoid a points violation for 12 consecutive months. This will result in three points being removed. Passing the written or driving exam will also result in removal of points.
The following are examples of common Philadelphia traffic offenses and their points:
Two Points
- Speeding, 6-10 mph over limit
- Failure to comply with restriction on driver's license
- Failure to comply with instructions from authorized person directing traffic'
- Failure to obey train signal
- Failure to yield to pedestrian at crosswalk
Three Points
- Speeding, 11-15 mph over limit
- Exceeding school, work, or other special speed limits
- Failure to yield or failure to stop
- Illegal U-turn
- Running a red light
- Reckless Driving
Four Points
- Speeding, 16-25 mph over limit
- Improper passing on a hill
- Failure to stop at a railroad crossing
- Leaving the scene of a crash involving property damage
Five Points
- Speeding, 26+ mph over limit
- Passing a stopped school bus that has its lights flashing
Penalties in PA's Driving Point System
For a first violation of six-point accumulation, the defendant will be required by PennDOT to complete and pass a safe driving exam within 30 days of the date the points were accrued, or face license suspension until the exam is passed. If the person is under 18 and reaches six points or violates the speed limit in excess of 26 mph, he or she will face an additional 90-day license suspension
For a second violation of six-point accumulation, the defendant must attend a departmental hearing where PennDOT will review the driver's record and recommend the course of action, which could include retaking a driver's exam and a 15-day license suspension. If the defendant doesn't attend the hearing, he or she will face an immediate license suspension of 60 days. If the person is under 18 and reaches a second six points or violates the speed limit in excess of 26 mph, he or she will face an additional 120-day license suspension.
A third violation of six-point accumulation will result in a PennDOT hearing determining whether the defendant should have his or her license suspended for 30 days, and failure to attend this hearing will result in an immediate driver's license suspension for 60 days. If the person is under 18 and reaches a third six points or violates the speed limit in excess of 26 mph, he or she will face an additional 120-day license suspension.
An accumulation of 11 points or more will result in a suspension based on the number of points accumulated and how many suspensions the defendant has had in the past. If the person is under 18, he or she will face an additional 120-day license suspension . The penalties are based on the following scale:
- First suspension: each point = 5 days
- Second suspension: each point = 10 days
- Third Suspension: each point = 15 days
- Subsequent suspensions: One year
If a person violates the speed limit at or in excess of 31 mph, he or she will be required to attend at PennDOT department hearing to determine if a driver's exam ad a 15-day license suspension is necessary. Failure to attend this hearing will mean an immediate 60-day suspension of his or her Pennsylvania driver's license.
Resources for Philadelphia Traffic Offenses
PennDOT - Pennsylvania Department of Transportation - Driver and Vehicle Services – This site links to a page on PennDOT's where you can navigate to important pages for functions like renewing your driver's license, paying your driver's license restoration fee, and scheduling your special points exam.
Philadelphia Courts - Traffic Court – This link is for the Philadelphia Traffic Court home page, where you can find out how to plead guilty and pay your citation, request a hearing, establish a payment plan, and appeal a traffic court conviction.
Philadelphia Traffic Court800 Spring Garden Street
Philadelphia, PA 19123
Finding the Best Traffic Lawyer in Philadelphia
If you have been charged with a Pennsylvania traffic offense, whether a minor charge or something more serious, don't just accept the conviction and pay the fine. An experienced Philadelphia traffic lawyer will be able to protect your rights and build a strong defense against you losing your privileges and maybe even your freedom. Start fighting your traffic offense today by calling (215) 535-5353 today and setting up your free consultation.
