Asked in Traffic Tickets for Pennsylvania

Q: Pulled over and fined solely for expired vehicle registration. Is that legal in PA?

My wife was pulled over and fined $144 for operating a vehicle with expired registration. This was the only reason for the stop. My understanding is it is a secondary offense and not grounds for a stop. Also on the citation the officer listed her car as a Ford Fusion but it is actually a Ford Taurus. Should we fight this or pay the fine?

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4 Lawyer Answers
Ellis B. Klein
PREMIUM
Ellis B. Klein
Answered
  • Traffic Tickets Lawyer
  • Doylestown, PA
  • Licensed in Pennsylvania

A: Yes.

Ellis B. Klein
PREMIUM
Ellis B. Klein
Answered
  • Traffic Tickets Lawyer
  • Doylestown, PA
  • Licensed in Pennsylvania

A: My answer was posted prematurely. Yes, she can be cited. There are no points. Plead not guilty, get it registered asap, go to court and maybe the officer will drop it if you show proof of registration.

Peter N. Munsing
Peter N. Munsing
Answered
  • Wyomissing, PA
  • Licensed in Pennsylvania

A: A motor vehicle may be stopped. She'd need to have up to date registration for anyone to drive it so get that done and contact the officer and see if they will drop the charge.

Peter N. Munsing
Peter N. Munsing
Answered
  • Wyomissing, PA
  • Licensed in Pennsylvania

A: PS--even if the cop doesn't want to drop the charges, if there's a reasonable explanation, and the time period isn't too long, then the DJ may find her not guilty. For instance was she the owner or were you? Technically, she's responsible for checking the registration but if the owner (you) didn't tell her it was expired, not the best argument but give it a shot.

No it doesn't matter what breed of car it was.

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