Charges Reduced for Speeding Citation: How A Man Avoided Points on License
Did you know that speeding citations can pave the way to an imprisonment sentence?
We know what you’re thinking- that speeding is a summary offense, and paying up fines is the best way to handle such cases.
However, what you probably didn’t know was that speeding beyond a certain limit is no longer a summary offense. It becomes an act of felony. And penalties for a felony are substantial! Along with hefty fines and a license suspension, you may also face the prospect of jail time!
Recently, our Pittsburgh criminal lawyers handled a similar case, where they helped a client stay out of prison and also saved him from a license suspension. Not just that, but the man also didn’t receive any points on his license, which turned out to be the most surprising element of this case!
Let’s take a closer look.
When Does Speeding Become a Felony from a Summary Offense?
Before going there, here are some of the maximum speed limits set by Pennsylvania law for different types of roads-
- Residential and school areas: 25 mph (during restricted hours).
- Urban districts: 35 mph.
- Rural roads, two-lane highways: 55 mph
- Interstate highways: 65- 70 mph.
And now for the sad news- the cops can charge you for speeding even if you go one or two miles above the limit! This means, supposedly, you are going 57 mph on a two-lane highway. Now, the cops can easily pull you over and issue a speeding citation! Only an experienced Pittsburgh criminal lawyer can help you stay aware of such intricacies of traffic law.
These are all summary offenses, whose consequences aren’t that substantial. Once it becomes a felony, the penalties become much harsher. But when does a summary offense turn into a felony?
Easy- by going way above the required speed limits, which happened in our client’s case! He was caught driving 31 mph over the limit in a residential zone. This speeding infraction is categorized as ‘reckless driving,’ because our client knew what the possible dangers and consequences might be, and still chose to push the gas pedal hard. That is exactly how a mere summary offense transforms into reckless driving.
And since reckless driving ultimately translates to endangering the lives of others, our client could’ve received the following-
- 5 points on his license.
- Imprisonment.
- Substantial fines.
But thankfully, he called us and asked for help from our expert Pittsburgh criminal lawyers. And our robust defense strategy helped our client avoid jail time.
The Negotiation that Led to a Positive Outcome
At the Logue Law Group, our Pittsburgh criminal lawyers know the ins and outs of traffic law. So, when we got the case, we immediately started with our end of the investigation.
We looked through our client’s driving records, which turned out to be clean. This gave us a great opportunity for defense. A PennDOT hearing would’ve instantly made our client a convict. So, we made our client agree to plead guilty to a zero-point violation, which helped us avoid the PennDOT hearing totally.
In the end, our client had to pay a minimal fine. But in return, he saved himself from an imprisonment sentence. Not just that, but he avoided the risk of a license suspension and also did not receive a single point on his license for the infraction.
You never know when a speeding infraction will turn into a felony charge! So, it is best to seek expert legal counsel from us if you’ve been cited for reckless driving. Just make sure to call us at 844.PITT.DUI and book a free consultation!