Thread: Need some advice on a citation

I got nabbed today for my inspection being a month out, I totally overlooked it because I always sync up my inspection with my registration so I just do them both at once, registration is in a month so I didn't even think about it.

He cited me for $112, should I plead innocent? Can I argue it at all? I was cited at 5:30 and I had a valid inspection by 6:05, so it shows I got it fixed ASAP... Or is it just a lost cause I should just pay for?

I never pleaded innocent for a ticket before...

What'd u get pulled over for to begin with

I drove by and he saw the sticker, I made a left and went past him waiting at the light so i basically showed it right to him, and he threw it in reverse and chased me.

No other violations

You were expired at the time the ticket was issued, getting it done a half hour later doesn't mean anything. You could try to fight it and save the $112... But what's your time worth? It's not a moving violation with points on your license so just pay IMO, and accept the lesson of timely inspections, lol.

That's kinda what I figured, I'm guilty, how can I say not guilty.. But a few times before when I pled guilty people later were like what the hell! You could have pled not guilty and had it dropped! So I figured I'd ask around and see if its worth it...

I know getting it done later isn't really an excuse, I wasn't making one, I just know a lot of authority figures will give you the benefit of the doubt/good faith if you make the best efforts to correct it or if it was unintentional etc, I've been lucky that way in the past a few times with the law. I was actually a little surprised he fined me, most people get warnings as a first offense around here for violations that aren't severe.

oh well, I guess to the courthouse to tomorrow.

If you are in PA you probably won't get an answer right away. They will have to schedule a hearing. You can plead not guilty tomorrow, but probably won't see the District Magistrate for another 4-6 weeks and chances are they are not going to reduce anything and then you will owe an addition $7.50 (that's what it was last time I healt with it) in court fees.

Yeah, yeah, yeah... Been there, done that... Plea not guilty, get a postponement, then another, stretch it out, most times you might get off. But really, guilty or not is not what it's about. It's not like you got pulled over with a bloody knife in your hand and body in the trunk, lmao! Don't take this stuff so seriously! Honestly, you wanna fight it, there are traffic court lawyers who are golfing at the same country club as your DMV Judge I'm sure. Will cost you same or more to fight that way. Other way is if you know someone or have family ON the job... Lol. Lastly, if you wish to exercise your RIGHT and fight the ticket, you'll probably lose. It's just a guess, but you could give it a shot if you got nothing else better to do with your time and win, then you can be happy you beat the system! Hehehe...

Remember that all municipalities are hurting for revenue lately, it's all about the almighty $, not safety, not clean air... Nothing but good ol' greenbacks!

Good Luck!

If it was me I probably would not go through the hassle for a $112 citation. After all you're guilty and its no points on your license so I would just look at positive and get it taken care of.

I would go in and show that it was taken care of and it should be dropped on the spot. You can usually go talk to a public defender or likewise ahead of the scheduled citation/ court date for assistance.

Don't plead not guilty. That just means you have to wait like they said to get a court date and then at the end of the day, it was expired at time of citation. The end you lost.
I have had better luck pleading guilty and THEN getting it reduced or thrown out. But mine were speeding tickets so they knew I was there to avoid penalties.
Then there's the idea of getting a lawyer, but like has been said it's gonna cost the same as the ticket even though it's pretty much a guaranteed win.

I would just pay it because there's no points involved. And it's only $112. I know how much $112 is but compared to the $250 ONE headlight ticket I got a while back, psh. I'd take that.

Originally Posted by Kilroy

Out of curiosity, if you always had your inspection synced with your registration, and your registration isn't due yet, how'd things get out of sync?

I got the GTP last year and it already had it's inspection for the year in April, got the car with new plates in June... so the inspection read 4/13 and the plates read 6/13... straightened out now though lol.

Originally Posted by Explicit_Spade

I would go in and show that it was taken care of and it should be dropped on the spot. You can usually go talk to a public defender or likewise ahead of the scheduled citation/ court date for assistance.

I guess I'll go with my checkbook ready and just be like, "I got it fixed like a half hour after the stop, is there anyway we can drop it since I fixed it immediately and it's never happened before?"
If they deny me I'll just plead guilty and pay it.

Originally Posted by REDCOMPG

If it was me I probably would not go through the hassle for a $112 citation. After all you're guilty and its no points on your license so I would just look at positive and get it taken care of.

Yeah, that was the main point of this thread, "Is it worth the hassle, do I stand a chance, or should I just deal?" It's not a huge amount, my only other ticket I ever got was well over $300 and a 2 week suspension for 31mph over the speed limit ... It's just bad timing because Im gettin ready to spend money on other stuff like LIM gasket and Inferno lip!

Originally Posted by coolone

Yeah, yeah, yeah... Been there, done that... Plea not guilty, get a postponement, then another, stretch it out, most times you might get off. But really, guilty or not is not what it's about. It's not like you got pulled over with a bloody knife in your hand and body in the trunk, lmao! Don't take this stuff so seriously! Honestly, you wanna fight it, there are traffic court lawyers who are golfing at the same country club as your DMV Judge I'm sure. Will cost you same or more to fight that way. Other way is if you know someone or have family ON the job... Lol. Lastly, if you wish to exercise your RIGHT and fight the ticket, you'll probably lose. It's just a guess, but you could give it a shot if you got nothing else better to do with your time and win, then you can be happy you beat the system! Hehehe...

Remember that all municipalities are hurting for revenue lately, it's all about the almighty $, not safety, not clean air... Nothing but good ol' greenbacks!

Good Luck!

Yeah, that's basically what I was asking, is it gunna be more of a pain than it's worth... I wasnt really worried about it seriously, just wasnt totally sure of my options or if I should bother, but I think I have my answer.

Originally Posted by brandonl2000

Don't plead not guilty. That just means you have to wait like they said to get a court date and then at the end of the day, it was expired at time of citation. The end you lost.
I have had better luck pleading guilty and THEN getting it reduced or thrown out. But mine were speeding tickets so they knew I was there to avoid penalties.
Then there's the idea of getting a lawyer, but like has been said it's gonna cost the same as the ticket even though it's pretty much a guaranteed win.

I would just pay it because there's no points involved. And it's only $112. I know how much $112 is but compared to the $250 ONE headlight ticket I got a while back, psh. I'd take that.

Yeah, kinda what I was thinking, waiting and setting dates and having to go back... it's not a huge amount, coulda been worse like you said, still a pain in the ass though.

In the end I know I was guilty, so I guess I'll just throw myself to mercy and if they dont wanna throw it out well then I guess Im writing a check lol.

Thanks for the input, guys.

If all else fails, consider it a donation to the public school system. That's usually where the money from traffic citations go, and with kids these days they certainly need every cent they can get.

And I'm sure you can always call and get at least a 30 day extension as well

Originally Posted by Explicit_Spade

I would go in and show that it was taken care of and it should be dropped on the spot. You can usually go talk to a public defender or likewise ahead of the scheduled citation/ court date for assistance.

There is no public defender for PA ticket hearings. You go to a district magistrate and its you, the DM and the officer in a hearing.

There is instructions right on the ticket with your options. You can plead not guilty and take the ticket directly to the DM if you want, but like I said, you will have to wait for a hearing to be scheduled to even get an answer. IMO its not worth the hassle. Pay the ticket and take it as a lesson learned.

Honestly, I have been pulled over with dead inspection 3 times. All three times were 100% my fault, all three times I corrected it immediately, but all three times I paid the fine because it was a no points ticket.

The only time you should ever plead not guilty and try to plead it down is if you get a points ticket.

All your states must really suck...

We don't have vehicle inspections here, but I got a no front plate ticket. I want to say it was $120 plus the "court fees". I fixed it within a couple weeks, took the ticket in and had it checked by an officer who signed off on the ticket, then I took it to someone at the courthouse who wrote it off, and no further action was required.

Even though its not a point ticket, it will go in your file, which officers can see when they stop you. They usually look at this information when deciding whether to give you a ticket or let you off when you're pulled over for small violations in the future. It's always best to get any ticket dropped whenever possible.

"Improper display" is still the same fine in PA. The lowest ticket you can get in PA is $112.