We as drivers have all done it at one time or another. Rushing to get the kids from school, intentionally doing 45 in a 30 or worse; coasting down the hill unaware of the needle pointing at 50 when the speed limit is 40.

Perhaps you’ve been busted in one of Chester’s speed traps. Maybe you’re upset with your other half and you just need to get out and drive, and the next thing you know you see cherries in your mirror as your speedometer tops 70. It’s best not to drive upset, stressed or in any emotional state in order to avoid a lead foot and a speeding ticket in Chester. But, chances are, whatever the reason, we’ve all sped. Whether or not we have posed a threat to ourselves or others and whether or not we’ve been caught and cited is another story.

Unfortunately, in Chester, a simple speeding ticket can have some pretty intense consequences. In the State of Pennsylvania a speeding ticket automatically comes with two immediate consequences: 1) You pay a hefty fine dependent on the severity of your speeding offense. Fees, court costs, and surcharges are then added, which can add up fast. 2) You are guaranteed points on your license record in Pennsylvania if you are guilty of speeding. Each individual offense can be worth from 1 to 5 points and points will be assigned based on the event that gave rise to the ticket. 6 or more points earns you a suspension of your driver’s license in Chester. If that wasn’t enough, insurance companies have the discretion to raise your rates for things like speeding tickets.

Luckily, you have several options when it comes to a ticket in Chester The first option is to plead guilty, pay the ticket and incur the points on your record. There are several methods for payment including paying online or in person. You must respond within 10 days. Paying a speeding ticket in Chester is an admission of guilt and is entered by the court as a guilty plea. Points will be added to your driving record.

The second option is to plead not guilty, post collateral, and request a hearing on the matter. At a hearing, you are given an opportunity to contest the ticket and give your side of the story. What seem like reasonable defenses are plentiful, but few are actually legally sound. Even acts of police misconduct are difficult to prove on your own.

It’s difficult to represent yourself in a speeding ticket hearing because of the difficulty involved in proving you were not speeding. This is a great time to get a traffic court attorney involved by visiting [INSERT LINK HERE]. Your attorney will have access to more records and documents that will enable them to make an arguable claim on your defense.

Visit the Chester Police Department’s website for more information:

https://www.chestercity.com/index.php/city-departments/public-affairs/police-department or in person at 160 East 7th Street, Chester, PA19013, on the 3rd & 4th Floors.

Learn more about your fines and additional penalties, and how to pay or contest your ticket here:

https://www.chesco.org/index.aspx?NID=2281