A Tale of Six Traffic Citations and One Unscathed CDL
Traffic citations are literally bad news for any individual with a driver’s license. But, if you think it through, you will realize that it proves even more costly for commercial drivers.
Why so? That’s because traffic citations come with points on your license. And when you accumulate too many points, your CDL gets suspended!
Now, imagine a commercial driver not being able to drive. It’s more than just bad news. Because losing your CDL basically means giving up on your livelihood!
However, if you don’t want to give up your license, you have to make sure to hire an experienced Pittsburgh criminal lawyer. At Sean Logue Law, our expert lawyers are well-versed in Pennsylvania traffic laws and can help build a strong defense to get the best possible outcome for your case. Let’s dive into this blog and explore how we helped our client avoid a CDL suspension with six traffic citations!
What Happens When You Accumulate 11 Points on Your CDL?
The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) maintains a driving record for every license holder in Pennsylvania. And for every traffic violation, points get added to your license. The whole purpose of this point system is to make sure to enhance driving habits and maintain safety.
However, if you accumulate 11 points or more on your CDL, your driving license gets suspended automatically. And the length of the suspension is directly proportional to te to the total number of times your license was suspended in the past.
- If it’s your first suspension, you get 5 days per point. This means your license remains suspended for about two months.
- If it’s your second suspension, you get 11 days per point. This means your license remains suspended for about four months.
- If it’s your third suspension, you get 15 days per point. This means your license remains suspended for about five to six months.
- If it’s a fourth or subsequent suspension, your license remains suspended for a year.
Therefore, for a commercial driver whose livelihood depends on driving, the stakes are pretty much off the charts! That’s why having an experienced Pittsburgh criminal lawyer by your side becomes extremely crucial.
How Did Our Client Retain His CDL?
Our client came to us with six traffic citations on his license and was clueless about what to do next. That’s where our Pittsburgh criminal lawyers came in to save the day.
We checked his case and proceeded with just one goal- to reduce the charges and put them into non-moving violations. Why? Because such violations carry minimal point offenses, and a simple fine would be enough to fix the whole thing.
However, the process was not easy. And neither were the negotiations with the prosecution! Thankfully, our client had a clean driving record before this. Also, he was the sole earner of a family of four. And that’s what our Pittsburgh criminal lawyers focused on for our client’s defense. Finally, the judge agreed to reduce the charges, and our client walked away retaining both his license and his job.
This case was a fine instance that portrayed the importance of not giving up. Not just that, but it also highlights how the right Pittsburgh criminal lawyer can turn the tables and help you achieve a favorable outcome! So, if you or your friend is facing similar charges, don’t hesitate to contact us at 844.PITT.DUI and avail our services.