HELP! Stop sign violation outside my house!

[lahirim]

What is the name of your state? Pennsylvania

Hi,

Let me explain this: I live on a college campus and was driving down the street in front of my dorm when I came up to a stop intersection that was empty. I've lived here for four years and have been at that intersection countless times (it's right in front of my dorm). I slowed down at the stop sign, saw the intersection was empty, and turned onto the street. Just as I turned a cop came around the corner (about 40 ft behind the intersection around a blind corner) and pulled me over. He was quite rude and wrote me a $105.50 ticket because I "failed to stop for a properly posted, ordained, stop itersection". "Statute" is checked as opposed to Ordinance, and the "section" is 3323b.

I'm inclined to plead not-guilty for the following reasons. This is the first time I've ever been pulled over, I have a clean record. Can anyone give me any advice on how I can handle this?

1) the sign is placed in a position where even if one stops completely, they have as much time to look at the blind curve as they are if they just slow down (the blind corner is about 40 feet away).

2) I have been driving around that corner for 4 years -- this is the street in front of my house!

3) The officer did not consider these facts and just seemed like he wanted to nail me because I came out in front of him.

Any help appreciated -- thanks!
- Mayank

 

[seniorjudge]

All of your defenses are useless against the one and only relevant fact here:

I slowed down at the stop sign, saw the intersection was empty, and turned onto the street.

 

[Happy Trails]

All of your defenses are useless against the one and only relevant fact here:

I slowed down at the stop sign, saw the intersection was empty, and turned onto the street.

But SJ, the Poster totally paused.

 

[lahirim]

I see your point, but is there any way I can get the points reduced?

 

[ENASNI]

Umm

I see your point, but is there any way I can get the points reduced?

put them on a diet?

 

[seniorjudge]

Standard answer

Here are some hints on appearing in court:

Dress professionally in clean clothes.

Do not wear message shirts.

Don't chew gum, smoke, or eat.

Bathe and wash your hair.

Go to court beforehand some day before you actually have to go to watch how things go.

Speak politely and deferentially. If you argue or dispute something, do it professionally and without emotion.

Ask the court clerk who you talk to about a diversion (meaning you want to plead to a different, lesser charge), if applicable in your situation.


Here are five stories that criminal court judges hear the most (and I suggest you do not use them or variations of them):

1. I’ve been saved! (This is not religion specific; folks from all kinds of religious backgrounds use this one.)

2. My girlfriend/mother/sister/daughter is pregnant/sick/dying/dead/crippled and needs my help.

3. I’ve got a job in [name a state five hundred miles away].

4. This is the first time I ever did this.

5. You’ve got the wrong guy. (A variation of this one is the phantom defendant story: “It wasn’t me driving, it was a hitchhiker I picked up. He wrecked the car, drug me behind the wheel then took off.”)

https://forum.freeadvice.com/showthread.php?p=854687#post854687

Other people may give you other advice; stand by.

 

[Happy Trails]

The violation carries 3-points.

Point Removal for Safe Driving
Under Pennsylvania driving law, three points are removed from a driving record for every 12 consecutive months in which a person is not under suspension or revocation or has not committed any violation of Pennsylvania traffic laws which results in the assignment of points or the suspension or revocation of the driving privilege.

Once a driving record is reduced to zero and remains at zero points for 12 consecutive months, any further accumulation of points is treated as the first accumulation of points.

Information found at this site: http://www.statedrivinglaw.com/pennsylvania-driving-law.html

That site has other links and has some good information.