Serious Traffic Offenses
Nearly every driver has received a traffic ticket at least once in their lifetime. For most people, getting a citation is looked at simply as an inconvenience. However, in Pennsylvania, if an individual commits a certain amount of traffic offenses in a given period of time, it could lead to a driver’s license suspension.
Furthermore, some traffic offenses are so serious, that they could land you behind bars for a significant period of time. In order to avoid jail time, it is important that you contact an aggressive defense attorney who will fight to protect your ability to drive, and maintain your freedom.
West Chester Traffic Defense Attorney
If you have been charged with a serious traffic offense in and around Chester County, Delaware County, Montgomery County, or Lancaster County, contact Ciccarelli Law Offices. The firm has a team of qualified defense attorneys who are ready and willing to serve you. With offices conveniently located in West Chester, Kennett Square, Philadelphia, Lancaster, King of Prussia, Malvern, and Radnor, the firm is able to provide legal protection for clients who are looking for the best opportunity to avoid significant penalties for the crimes they have been accused of.
Call (610) 719-3200 today and set up a consultation to discuss your traffic offense. The sooner you call the sooner the team of traffic crime lawyers at Ciccarelli Law Offices can get started on your case.
Pennsylvania Traffic Violation Information
Point System for Traffic Offenses in Pennsylvania
In Pennsylvania, a point system is used to determine punishments for individuals who continuously commit traffic offenses. For each offense, a certain amount of points is assigned to the individuals driving record. The points associated with traffic offenses in Pennsylvania are as follows:
- Driving six to 10 miles over the posted speed limit (2 points)
- Failure to yield for pedestrian in crosswalk (2 points)
- Failure to comply with an individual who is authorized to conduct traffic (2 points)
- Ignoring train signals for an approaching train (2 points)
- Driving over the posted speed limit in a school zone (3 points)
- Driving 11 to 15 miles over the posted speed limit (3 points)
- Running a red light (3 points)
- Illegal U-turn (3 points)
- Improper passing (3 points)
- Tailgating (3 points)
- Failure to yield (3 points)
- Careless driving (3 points)
- Leaving the scene of an accident (4 points)
- Driving 16 to 25 miles over the posted speed limit (4 points)
- Driving 26 or more miles over the posted speed limit (5 points)
- Failure to stop for a school bus (5 points)
When an individual accumulates six points, he or she will have to go through an assessment. This assessment involves taking a driver’s test, and/or having a hearing to determine whether or not your driver’s license should be suspended. If a driver accumulates 11 points, his or her license will automatically be suspended.
For every year an individual goes without accumulating more points, three points will be taken off of their record. In order to avoid having your driver’s license suspended, it would be beneficial to contact a criminal defense attorney in West Chester, who could help you avoid convictions for traffic offenses.
Serious Traffic Offenses in Pennsylvania
While many traffic violations result in fines and driver’s license suspension, there are a few serious traffic offenses that result in more significant penalties. Some of these offenses are as follows:
Vehicular Homicide
An individual can be charged with vehicular homicide if he or she breaks a traffic law through gross negligence, and by breaking that law, their actions led to the death of another person (75 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 3732). Homicide by vehicle is a third degree felony, which is punishable by up to a five year prison sentence and up to a $15,000 fine.
Aggravated Assault by Vehicle
If an individual commits a traffic offense through gross negligence and it leads to the infliction of serious bodily harm to another person, he or she can be charged with aggravated assault by a vehicle. This offense is also a third degree felony (75 Pa. Cons. Stat. §3732.1).
Fleeing or Attempting to Elude Law Enforcement
An individual is guilty of this crime if he or she intentionally avoids stopping for a police officer who is actively trying to pull him or her over by flashing lights or otherwise signaling them to stop. This offense is a second degree misdemeanor and is punishable by up to a year in prison along with a fine of at least $500. The charges have a potential to be upgraded to a third degree felony if the officer was endangered or the offender was intoxicated at the time (75 Pa. Cons. Stat. §3733).
Leaving the Scene of an Accident
If an individual is involved in an accident and leaves the scene without notifying authorities, rendering aid, or providing their information, he or she can be charged with a Leaving the Scene of an Accident. This is a first degree misdemeanor, and is punishable by up to five years behind bars and/or a fine of up to $10,000.
If the victim suffers serious bodily injury, this offense can be charged as a third degree felony. Individuals convicted of this crime are required to serve a minimum of 90 days in jail, and pay a fine of at least $1,000, with the maximum potential prison sentence and fine being seven years and $15,000.
For incidents involving the death of the victim, individuals who leave the scene of the accident can be charged with a third degree felony and sentenced to a minimum of one year and a maximum of seven years in prison, along with a minimum of $2,500 and a maximum of $15,000 in fines (75 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 3742, 3743).
Passing or Overtaking a School Bus
When a school bus turns on its red lights, you are supposed to stop at least 10 feet away. If convicted of not doing so, you will face a mandatory loss of your driver’s license for 60 days, in addition to fees.
Driving While License is Suspended
If your license was suspended, you are not allowed to drive. If your license was suspended for reasons other than DUI, and you are convicted of driving while it was suspended, you will face a $200 fine, lose your license for 12 months and possibly face jail time. If your suspension was due to DUI, you will face 90 days of jail time for a first offense.
Defending You against Traffic Violations with a Team Approach
If you are facing charges for a traffic violation, it is vital that you take an aggressive stance on defending yourself against these charges. Ciccarelli Law Offices operates under the premise that a team approach will give their clients the best chance of developing a successful defense strategy. They serve clients who have been charged with traffic crimes in Willow Street, Newton Square, Coatesville, Norristown, and other cities in Southeastern Pennsylvania.
Contact Ciccarelli Law Offices today at (610) 719-3200 to set up a consultation with an experienced team of West Chester defense attorneys. Your consultation is an important step in building a defense strategy that is built for your specific case.