I recently represented a client who was charged with the traffic offense of Driving on a DUI Suspended License, 75 Pa.C.S.A. 1543(b). If convicted, this offense carries a mandatory sentence of 60-90 days in Berks County Prison. Additionally, PennDOT will actually tack on an additional 1-year license suspension for anyone convicted of this offense.
Although this is not technically a valid defense under Pennsylvania State Law, my client was genuinely unaware that his license was under suspension. He had recently changed his address, and the license suspension information from PennDOT had not caught up with him at the time he was stopped. Also, our client was extremely polite and respectful to the police officer when he was pulled over. In the end, this undoubtedly helped our client get an excellent result in his case.
After showing up at the hearing and discussing the case with the police officer who issued the citation, we were able to reach an agreement whereby the 1543(b) charge would be withdrawn rather than litigated in the courtroom. Instead, my client was issued a new citation for the summary offense of “disorderly conduct”, which carries no jail time and has no additional impact on my client’s license status. The only penalty assessed against my client was a fine in addition to the court costs.
In the end, my client was extremely happy with the outcome of his case. If you are facing mandatory jail time as a result of a traffic offense or traffic violation in Berks County or Reading, Pennsylvania, please contact my office to set-up a free consultation.
