Philadelphia Traffic Violations Lawyer

When you get pulled over and receive a traffic ticket, you may have been mildly annoyed or inconvenienced. Hoping to put the experience behind you sooner, you may have plans to simply pay the citation and put the entire matter to rest. However, if you plead guilty to a traffic violation, the consequences could have a greater impact on your life than you were expecting. 

With help from a skilled Philadelphia traffic violations lawyer with Ciccarelli Law Offices, you do not need to accept the fallout. You have every right to challenge the citation you received and avoid some of the more serious penalties that you were unaware of. Turn to a top-rated Philadelphia criminal defense attorney at our firm to take charge of your future. Contact our legal team to request a confidential consultation and learn more about the extent of the penalties you are facing and which defense strategies are most likely to result in a favorable outcome.

Ciccarelli Law Offices Can Help You Clear Your Driving Record 

When you need a traffic violations attorney in Philadelphia you can count on to help you protect your driving record and avoid expensive citations you cannot afford to pay, look no further than our team at Ciccarelli Law Offices. We have extensive experience handling virtually every type of traffic violation you could possibly be accused of committing. Here are some of the most common traffic offenses we defend against:

Driving With a Suspended License

Driving with a suspended license is one of the most common types of traffic citations our clients receive. A first offense will lead to an additional one-year suspension of your driver’s license, or two additional years if your license was revoked per Title 75 § 1543(a). You will also be expected to pay a $200 fine. If you receive six or more citations for driving with a suspended license, you could be fined up to $1,000 and spend up to six months in jail.

Reckless Driving

Under Title 75 § 3736, reckless driving is considered a summary offense. If convicted, you will be disqualified from obtaining an occupational limited license (OLL), receive five points on your driving record, have your driver’s license suspended for up to six months, and be fined up to $200. You could also be charged with misdemeanor reckless driving. If convicted, you could spend up to 12 months in jail and be ordered to pay fines up to $25,000 if your alleged reckless driving caused the death of another.

Driving Without a Driver’s License

Driving without a driver’s license could result in a maximum fine of $200 plus court costs. If this is your first time being cited for driving without a license, you will not need to worry about other penalties. However, with multiple convictions on your record, you could face a six-month driver’s license suspension and points could be added to your driving record which could significantly increase your auto insurance rates.

Driving Under the Influence (DUI)

Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol is considered a criminal offense under 75 Pa. § 3802. The extent of your charges and the penalties you may face will vary depending on how many DUI convictions are on your record and your blood alcohol concentration (BAC) levels at the time of your arrest. 

For those with general impairment levels and no criminal history, you could be placed on probation for up to six months, pay a $300 fine, and be required to install an ignition interlock device (IID) for up to one year. However, if you have a high BAC, fines could be increased to $5,000, your driver’s license could be suspended for up to 12 months, and you could spend up to six months in jail.

Philadelphia Traffic Violations FAQ

When do drivers have the right of way in Philadelphia?

According to 75 Pa. § 3323, drivers are required to yield to the right of way when they are entering a main road from an alley, private road., or driveway. In Philadelphia, motorists are required to yield the right of way to pedestrians at all times. Drivers are required to yield to the right of way in uncontrolled intersections, four-way stops, and when making left turns. Motorists should also yield to vehicles and funeral possessions, pedestrians in crosswalks and on sidewalks, and to oncoming traffic.

What is the statute of limitations on a traffic ticket?

Generally, the statute of limitations for traffic offenses is 30 days from the date the alleged offense occurred per Title 75 Pa. C.S.A., Vehicle Law of Pennsylvania. This means the state has no more than 30 days to issue a traffic citation. Otherwise, the ticket in question could be dismissed if you challenge it at trial. If you believe the statute of limitations has passed for the alleged offense in your case, do not hesitate to contact our traffic violations attorneys with Ciccarelli Law Offices for help.

What are some valid defenses to traffic violations in Philadelphia?

The type of traffic violation you are accused of committing will determine which defense is best suited for your case. Some of the most common defenses our clients have used include:

• Having to violate traffic laws out of necessity to avoid an accident or prevent serious bodily harm or death to yourself or someone else
• There was a mistake, such as traffic signs being blocked from view due to a stationary object or overgrown trees, for example
• There was no posted speed limit or you were not driving over the speed limit
• You committed a traffic violation with legal justification
• The police officer’s speedometer was improperly calibrated
• You were not the person driving the vehicle at the time of the incident
• Your GPS malfunctioned or provided incorrect information, such as the posted speed limit

Connect With a Knowledgeable Traffic Violations Lawyer in Philadelphia Today

So many motorists consider traffic violations to be a minor offense, but the impact of a conviction may be far more serious than you were expecting. With multiple traffic offenses on your driving record, you could be facing suspension or revocation of your driver’s license. Not only that, but the increased insurance costs may make it impossible for you to continue to afford auto insurance. Do not put yourself at further risk by pleading guilty or simply paying the traffic citation without defense.

Instead, turn to a highly experienced Philadelphia traffic violations attorney from Ciccarelli Law Offices. Our firm will carefully review the circumstances of your case to determine which approach is most suitable. Our goal is to get your traffic violation dismissed altogether or for the judge to find you not guilty of the offense in question. When you are ready to challenge the traffic violations against you, fill out our secured contact form or call our office to schedule a confidential consultation today.