Q: PA traffic Citation issued through mail in my name for my 16 yr old daughter.
Hello, My 16 yr old daughter's car is in my name. Today I received a citation in the mail in my name for a $350.00 fine for "obedience to traffic control devices". The fine is doubled because the incident took place in a work zone. The notes indicate "Driver nearly caused a crash as she disobeyed traffic signs, flaggers and police officers in active work zone attempting to.... (comment is cut off)". Note indicates "observed by officer on foot". My daughter states that traffic was one lane going into a construction zone at night and flaggers were not directing. I'm assuming since she is a new driver there is a high probability that she was confused going into the construction zone and made an error. Thankfully no one was injured. However, this needs to go on her record and become her responsibility. Do I simply plea not guilty and have us both go in front of the magistrate?
A: Yes, you need to plead not guilty. Really, the citation should be dismissed altogether. The officer then has an opportunity to re-file after learning the correct identity of the driver. In my experience, most officers will not re-file against your daughter, but there's a chance he/she will especially in a case where it sounds like the officer was pretty annoyed.
Justia Ask a Lawyer is a forum for consumers to get answers to basic legal questions. Any information sent through Justia Ask a Lawyer is not secure and is done so on a non-confidential basis only.
The use of this website to ask questions or receive answers does not create an attorney–client relationship between you and Justia, or between you and any attorney who receives your information or responds to your questions, nor is it intended to create such a relationship. Additionally, no responses on this forum constitute legal advice, which must be tailored to the specific circumstances of each case. You should not act upon information provided in Justia Ask a Lawyer without seeking professional counsel from an attorney admitted or authorized to practice in your jurisdiction. Justia assumes no responsibility to any person who relies on information contained on or received through this site and disclaims all liability in respect to such information.
Justia cannot guarantee that the information on this website (including any legal information provided by an attorney through this service) is accurate, complete, or up-to-date. While we intend to make every attempt to keep the information on this site current, the owners of and contributors to this site make no claims, promises or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness or adequacy of the information contained in or linked to from this site.
