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Fighting Speeding Tickets in Berks County (Reading, PA)

by | Dec 17, 2010 | Criminal Law |

Many people wonder if they need an attarney to contest speeding or other traffic tickets. If you are serious about fighting it, then the answer is yes. Keep in mind, you will be going to court, appearing in front of a Judge and questioning a police officer on the witness stand. Additionally, depending on the outcome it may become necessary to file an appeal de novo to the Court of Common Pleas.

A speeding ticket, in particular, can have a negative impact on you driving privilege and cause an increase in your insurance rate. Accumulation of a certain number of points will cause your license to become suspended or trigger a departmental hearing. For a speeding ticket the number of points is dependant on how far over the limit the driver was operating the vehicle and is as follows:
6-10 2 points
11-15 3 points
16-25 4 points
26-30 5 points
31 and over 5 points and a departmental hearing

I recently had a case where a client had been caught speeding and faced 4 points on her license. I was unsuccessful at the District Court level getting the points reduced following a hearing in which the officer offered testimony concerning the timing device that was used and the his observation of my client’s vehicle. Unfortunately the area was a targeted enforcement area due to a tragic accident the previous year. For this reason, the officer was also unable to offer a deal or reduce the rate of speed.

In the end, I ended up filing a de novo appeal at which time I was able to negotiate a deal with the officer and the Assistant District attarney for 5 mph over the speed limit. 5 over call for no points and no impact on my client’s operating privilege.

Individuals facing speeding tickets are clearly in a much better position if they retain an attarney to fight or negotiate for them. If you are facing a speeding ticket or other traffic ticket in Berks County, PA call our office for a free consultation.

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