Failure to stop @ Stop Sign...

[Tori8]

What is the name of your state? Pennsylvania

I received a ticket today for failure to stop at a stop sign. The thing is I don't remember exactly what I did at the stop sign. I know I always am cautious at stop signs, i've never deliberately ran through one. So at worst I did a California Roll. But I really am not sure. When I saw that he was pulling me over the only thing I could think of was that I didn't have my registration sticker on my plate yet, which he claimed is a $500 fine!!! When he pulled me over, I asked why, he said I ran a stop sign and I didn't have my sticker on and he would do me a favor and just write me up for the stop sign violation(what a guy). Anyway this will be 3 points on my license. I have never had a ticket or points of any kind (i've been driving 11 years). I'm unsure what to plead part of me wants to plead guilty to get it over with b/c the idea of court makes me very ill. However, I am an extremely safe driver and feel 3 points for this is excessive especially if I completely stopped (I wish I could remember for sure). Any advice on the odds of beating this kind of ticket, your experience with traffic court or reducing points, would be helpful.

Thanks
Tori

[lwpat]

If you show for court it is very likely that they will reduce it to a "failure to obey traffic control device" which is a no points ticket. It is pretty much an assembly line process and only hurts in the pocketbook.

[Tori8]

Thanks for the reply. Just a few more quick questions, for anyone who may know. Will I definately get the points if I plead guilty? Do points for a moving violation raise car insurance in PA? Can the cop bring up the sticker violation at the hearing and have that be an issue? When you say hit in the pocket book are you talking alot more than the original $105.50 ticket? Sorry for the bombardment of questions, I just want to make the most informed decision I can.

Tori

[Bravo8]

If you simply plead guilty, you will be assessed points. That is controlled by PennDOT - neither the police nor the Judge have any discretion in that regard. The offense will be recorded on your driving history, and if your insurance company views your history, they very likely will increase your rates.

The fine for "Obedience to Traffic Control Devices" is the same, so no...your fine will not be more than the original ticket.

While the officer may mention the "sticker violation" to show he had already been lenient with you, it is really immaterial to the case. To be honest, I have no idea what statute he is thinking about. I've never heard of a violation for failing to place your updated sticker on your license plate. Not that it doesn't exist, but I have yet to see it.