Somerset County Traffic Violations Attorney Has Years of Experience

Somerset legal advocate’s know-how can be your relief

Most of us have had a heavy foot on the gas pedal at some point as we rush to one thing or another in our harried lives. Or we’ve inched through a stop sign without coming to a complete stop or crossed a solid white line to get into the proper lane for exiting. But when the sirens start blaring, such seemingly harmless violations can become significant in a bad way in a matter of moments. There are fines, points on your license that can raise your insurance rates and inconvenient court dates that you must fit into your busy schedule. You need a seasoned traffic attorney by your side to help you minimize the consequences. Matthew R. Zatko, Attorney at Law handles hundreds of traffic violations each year at the Cambria, Indiana, Bedford and Somerset County courts. Depending on your circumstances, I may be able to get fines reduced and points shaved from your license.

Knowledgeable Somerset traffic lawyer details how traffic violations can be costly

Traffic violations are punishable by fines but in addition, the Pennsylvania Vehicle Code assesses points for certain moving violations. Points are like demerits that stay on your license for period of time and can cause your auto insurance premiums to go up. If you accumulate six points more than once, you will need to attend a hearing which might result in a license suspension. If you have 11 points, license suspension is automatic.

Here are some typical moving violations and their points and penalties:

  • Speeding — two to five points, depending on by how much you exceed the speed limit and where the violation occurs. Fines range from $45 to $102.50 and you face a 15-day license suspension if you exceed the speed limit by at least 11 mph in an active work zone;
  • Failure to stop for a school bus with flashing red lights — five points, a $250 fine and a 60-day suspension
  • Leaving the scene of an accident involving only property damage — four points, a $2,500 fine and a 180-day suspension
  • Failure to stop for a stop sign — three points and a $25 fine
  • Texting while driving — no points but a $50 fine

Among the most serious traffic offenses is driving under the influence. A DUI can result in a $300 to $15,000 fine, 48 hours to seven years of imprisonment and a 12- to 18-month license suspension. Penalties vary depending on the amount of impairment, how many offenses you have within 10 years, whether the incident involved personal injury and whether a minor was in the car with you at the time.

Commercial drivers’ license offenses

If you drive a commercial vehicle, such as a bus or 14-wheeler, convictions of traffic infractions can have serious consequences for your livelihood. You may be disqualified from holding a commercial driver’s license (CDL) for one major offense or for a series of lesser ones, regardless of what type of vehicle you were driving at the time. The period of disqualification can range from 60 days to a lifetime, depending on the seriousness of the offense. If you depend on a CDL, you must retain an attorney who treats your case with the utmost seriousness.

You have options

In addition to the cost of the fines and the potential effect of too many points, even a single moving violation can result in your paying higher auto insurance premiums. Fighting the ticket with the help of a skilled traffic violations attorney can be a good investment.

Fighting charges based on unlawful vehicle stops and searches

Some police stops are mere pretexts to search your vehicle for illegal drugs or to give the officer some other excuse to investigate you. As an experienced criminal and traffic violations attorney, I know how to challenge suspicious traffic stops and vehicle searches by showing lack of probable cause. If the police violated your constitutional rights, the case against you might be thrown out.

Contact an experienced traffic violation attorney in Somerset, PA

If you’ve received a ticket for speeding, going through a stop sign or any other moving violation, you could end up with big fines and insurance-raising points on your license. Matthew R. Zatko, Attorney at Law may be able to change that. Call me at 814-443-1631 or contact me online for a free consultation to see if I can lower your points and reduce your fines.