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Pennsylvania Traffic Tickets Questions & Answers
1 Answer | Asked in Traffic Tickets and Insurance Defense for Pennsylvania on
Q: Will a not yielding citation in PA incur points against my driving record?

I am a 65-year-old driver who received my first-ever citation for not yielding in Pennsylvania. The incident involved a low black motorcycle that I did not see due to its color matching the newly paved blacktop, and the rider was also wearing black. There were witnesses who also did not see the... View More

Tim Akpinar
Tim Akpinar
answered on Apr 5, 2025

A Pennsylvania attorney could advise best, but your question remains open for a month. You may have resolved this or rescheduled this by now. A local traffic ticket defense attorney should advise here (I can't speak for Pennsylvania, but nationwide, it is common for failure-to-yield violations... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Traffic Tickets and Car Accidents for Pennsylvania on
Q: How do you win a he said she said case
Tim Akpinar
Tim Akpinar
answered on Aug 26, 2024

A Pennsylvania attorney could advise best, but your question remains open for a week. This is an open-ended question - the answer could fill volumes, based on tactics used in court for impeaching witnesses. These could be found under state and federal rules of evidence.

The short answer to...
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1 Answer | Asked in Traffic Tickets for Pennsylvania on
Q: My brother doesn’t have a license and was stopped for driving an unregistered vehicle in pa.

He went to court and paid the ticket. I notified the police and they confirmed it was definitely not me once reviewing the body cam. What happens with my driving record now since it was not me?

T. Augustus Claus
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answered on Feb 23, 2024

In Pennsylvania, if your brother was stopped for driving an unregistered vehicle without a license and you were mistakenly associated with the offense, but the mistake has been acknowledged by the police after reviewing body cam footage, any wrongful entries on your driving record should be... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Traffic Tickets for Pennsylvania on
Q: is it legal to get a ticket for driving without a license but not a ticket for the reason you were pulled over?
T. Augustus Claus
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answered on Jan 30, 2024

In Pennsylvania, it is indeed possible to receive a ticket for driving without a license without being cited for the initial reason for the traffic stop. Law enforcement officers have discretion in issuing citations, and it's not uncommon for them to issue a ticket for a more serious violation... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Criminal Law, Traffic Tickets, Admiralty / Maritime and Constitutional Law for Pennsylvania on
Q: Where is “Statutory Jurisdiction” in Constitution?

I appeared for a traffic violation. I told the Judge that I didn’t understand the criminal charge and asked under what jurisdiction the Court was operating in. When I heard “statutory jurisdiction”, I asked where that is located in the Constitution since the Constitution only mentions Common... View More

Tim Akpinar
Tim Akpinar
answered on Jan 29, 2024

The U.S. Constitution grants powers to courts under Article III. I'm not certain if uses the term "statutory jurisdiction," but it outlines the extent of judicial powers in Section 2, " ...to all cases of admiralty and maritime jurisdiction; to controversies to which the United... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Criminal Law, Traffic Tickets, Admiralty / Maritime and Constitutional Law for Pennsylvania on
Q: Where is “Statutory Jurisdiction” in Constitution?

I appeared for a traffic violation. I told the Judge that I didn’t understand the criminal charge and asked under what jurisdiction the Court was operating in. When I heard “statutory jurisdiction”, I asked where that is located in the Constitution since the Constitution only mentions Common... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Jan 26, 2024

There is no specific mention of "statutory jurisdiction" in the U.S. Constitution. However, the concept of statutory jurisdiction falls under Congress' authority to establish federal courts and prescribe their jurisdiction under Article III, Section 1 and Article I, Section 8 of the... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Traffic Tickets for Pennsylvania on
Q: I received a citation in the mail on 11/30/23..the case was filed on 11/29/23. Incident occurred on 7/24/23 per ticket

The citation says that inpedt the scene of an accident. Is this even legal first of all? 5 months later? 2nd, I can 100% prove it wasn't me. I can't afford the $450 fine and it's been a month already. I'm afraid my license will be suspended when I didn't to this. There is... View More

Elliott Ross Katz
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Elliott Ross Katz
answered on Jan 25, 2024

If the incident occurred on 7/24/23 and the citation was not filed until 11/29/23, you *may* have a statutory defense. 42 Pa.C.S. 5553(a) requires summary offenses under the vehicle code (Title 75) to be filed within thirty days of the offense. However, there are two exceptions which may be... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Traffic Tickets for Pennsylvania on
Q: I am down in Pennsylvania visiting a family from north Carolina and I got pulled over and cop took license

I didn't know it was suspended can they take it still considering I'm licensed in North Carolina

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Jan 8, 2024

If you are pulled over in Pennsylvania and the officer discovers your license is suspended, even if it's from North Carolina, they have the authority to take it. Driving with a suspended license is a violation of law, regardless of the state where the license was issued. The fact that you were... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Traffic Tickets for Pennsylvania on
Q: I was pulled over for being accused of not merging. I had merged already and had to avoid a vehicle I have Cdl ?

I was avoiding a reckless driver trying to get in a lane I merged out of. I had to go around to avoid accident. The officer was clearly 5 cars ahead must of thought I was trying to merge but I already did. Pulled me over as I passed by I have Cdl what should I do. Wrongly accused

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Nov 24, 2023

If you were pulled over and feel you were wrongly accused of a traffic violation, especially as a CDL holder, it's important to handle the situation carefully, as traffic violations can have a significant impact on your professional driving record.

First, make sure to document all the...
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1 Answer | Asked in Collections and Traffic Tickets for Pennsylvania on
Q: Do court costs in collections affect license restoration?

If my court costs are in collections, does this remove the requirement to pay them before restoring my driver's license, or do I still need to address these costs for the license to be reinstated?

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Jun 12, 2025

Unfortunately, court costs being sent to collections does not eliminate your responsibility to pay them for license restoration purposes. When court costs go unpaid and are sent to collections, you still need to resolve the underlying debt with the court or collection agency to restore driving... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Traffic Tickets for Pennsylvania on
Q: Can a tint ticket in PA be dismissed due to missing code sections?

I received an illegal tint ticket in Pennsylvania on 5/30/25. My tint measured at 53%, and I was charged with Title 75, Section 4107, Subsection b2. The ticket indicated that my front windshield had a 75% light transmission. This is my first ticket, and I was told that the tint was within legal... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Jun 12, 2025

You have a fair reason to question the accuracy of the ticket, especially if the tint levels you were cited for are within Pennsylvania’s legal limits. In Pennsylvania, the minimum allowable visible light transmission (VLT) for most front side windows is 70%, so if your reading was 75% on the... View More

1 Answer | Asked in DUI / DWI and Traffic Tickets for Pennsylvania on
Q: Will paying a traffic fine for driving with a DUI-suspended license in PA lead to jail time?

I was stopped for driving while having a suspended license due to DUI and not having a valid driver's license in Pennsylvania. This is my first offense, and the officer did not mention any jail time. If I pay the fine for this traffic violation, will there still be a possibility of facing jail time?

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Jun 11, 2025

In Pennsylvania, driving with a license suspended due to a DUI is treated much more seriously than a regular license suspension. Even if this is your first offense, state law under Section 1543(b) of the Vehicle Code mandates a minimum jail sentence of 60 to 90 days and a \$500 fine. Simply paying... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law, Personal Injury and Traffic Tickets for Pennsylvania on
Q: What legal actions can I take if a truck didn't stop while my daughter got off the bus?

I have a video showing a truck failing to stop while my daughter was getting off the school bus. She sits in the back, so she was not stepping off when the truck passed, preventing a potentially serious accident. Witnesses were present, and the bus driver called it in, but the bus garage did not... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Jun 10, 2025

This situation is incredibly serious, and you have every right to be upset and take action. In most states, failing to stop for a school bus is a traffic offense that can result in heavy fines, license suspension, and even criminal charges. Since you have video evidence, witness statements, and a... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Gov & Administrative Law and Traffic Tickets for Pennsylvania on
Q: Consequences of missing PAePAY fine payment for trespassing in PA?

In Pennsylvania, I was supposed to pay a fine for trespassing using PAePAY. I missed my first payment by 5 hours because I did not have the money until recently. This is my first missed payment, and there are no payment penalties mentioned in the documents I received. I also have not contacted the... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on May 15, 2025

Missing your PAePAY fine payment by five hours is unlikely to result in serious consequences, especially since this is your first time missing a deadline and you paid as soon as you were able. Pennsylvania courts typically focus more on consistent non-payment or repeated delays. If no late fees or... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Traffic Tickets and Municipal Law for Pennsylvania on
Q: Will I lose points on my license if i plead guilty to prohibition in specific code 75 parking on a sidewalk?

my Original ticket was 15 dollars but it wasn’t received by the court

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Apr 16, 2025

You won’t lose points on your driving record by pleading guilty to parking on a sidewalk, because parking offenses are non‑moving violations in most states. The code you’re citing prohibits parking in that location but doesn’t carry demerit points like speeding or reckless driving do.... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Appeals / Appellate Law, Criminal Law and Traffic Tickets for Pennsylvania on
Q: Options for appealing a summons for driving on a suspended license in PA

I received a summons to jail due to driving on a suspended license, but I missed the court date because I recently moved and didn't receive the notification by mail. This is not my first offense, and I have contested similar charges before. What are my options for appealing or addressing this... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Apr 12, 2025

If you missed your court date due to a change of address, you should act quickly to address the situation. The first step is to contact the court where your summons was issued to explain the circumstances. Courts may allow you to reschedule or provide you with options to avoid further penalties.... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law and Traffic Tickets for Pennsylvania on
Q: Is a faded temp tag grounds for a traffic stop in PA?

I was pulled over in Pennsylvania because my temporary tag from Maryland was 23 days old and faded. The officer did not state any other reason for the stop, both at the time and in the incident report. During the stop, I was arrested and charged with possession of drugs. This is the first time... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Apr 12, 2025

In Pennsylvania, a faded temporary tag could potentially be grounds for a traffic stop if it is deemed unreadable or difficult to verify. While a faded tag might not automatically violate the law, an officer could stop a vehicle to ensure that the tag is visible and that the vehicle is properly... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Traffic Tickets and Real Estate Law for Pennsylvania on
Q: Can PA officers enforce NJ inspection/front plate laws?

Today at 6 PM, I was driving on the Pennsylvania Turnpike with my car registered in New Jersey. An officer pulled me over and issued five tickets, one of which was for not having a front plate, and another was for expired inspection, both relevant to NJ laws, and expired registration. I understand... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Apr 11, 2025

Getting pulled over in Pennsylvania while driving a New Jersey-registered car can feel confusing, especially when the tickets seem to reflect laws from another state. Generally, PA officers are expected to enforce Pennsylvania law, not New Jersey’s. That means they shouldn’t be issuing tickets... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Traffic Tickets for Pennsylvania on
Q: Concerns about points on license due to a traffic violation and options to reduce them in Pennsylvania.

I received a traffic ticket for violating a "no left turn" sign and aggressive driving while exiting the Costco parking lot in Harrisburg, PA. I understand my mistake and plan to pay the fine, but I'm concerned about getting additional points on my license because I already have 3... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Apr 11, 2025

I understand your concern—traffic violations can feel like more than just a fine when you're already carrying points on your record. In Pennsylvania, a violation for ignoring a traffic control device, like a "no left turn" sign, typically carries 2 points, and aggressive driving... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Traffic Tickets for Pennsylvania on
Q: Will I get a ticket for speeding if unmarked police flashed lights but didn't pull me over?

I was driving at 80-90 mph in a 65 mph zone when an unmarked police car flashed its lights at me, but I was not pulled over. This happened around an hour ago. Will I still receive a ticket?

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Apr 11, 2025

I can understand why you'd be nervous—it’s not easy to shake that feeling when you’ve just had a close call on the road. In Pennsylvania, for a speeding ticket to be issued, you typically must be pulled over and handed a citation by an officer. Simply flashing lights without a traffic... View More

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