PA Summary level traffic offense expiration?

[burnte]

Hmm, I'd agree except in the county I'm speaking about. I'm not exactly a guy that hangs around repeat criminals, or rowdy bars, etc, but I had a colleague (I'm in IT consulting, we're not generally a la-breaking bunch) about two years ago who was held for 9 days in solitary confinement until a magistrate came back from vacation on a moving violation. The officer took him in to a night magistrate (it was about 9pm) and said he felt the gent was a flight risk.

Moral: NEVER turn left from the right lane, even if you're in labor, fleeing toxic gas, or the President, in NW PA...

 

[burnte]

To be fair, I've never encountered, or heard of, this much trouble where I used to live, in Pittsburgh. Aside from one magistrate who got busted by the FBI for attempting to fix cases (and then ran for re-election in her district UNOPPOSED the following election) I'd say the Pgh area is very sane. No knowledge of the NE PA.

 

[Bravo8]

My comments about the traffic warrants is a generalization about the norm in Pa. It is possible to arrest on traffic warrants at any time, and I have done so (having a Magistrate that will come out at night if asked is great!)

I doubt he was held in "solitary confinement". He was held in the "intake" area of the jail, as oppossed to being introduced into population.

Also, I am sure he was afforded the opportunity to post bail but did not do so.

 

[apples&oranges]

Bravo8, what would be the extenuating circumstance(s) to arrest a person for a traffic violation? This is a question of curiosity, nothing more.

 

[Bravo8]

A&O, I will answer you question, but first allow me to clarify. I didn't say to arrest for a traffic violation. We were discussing arresting for a traffic warrant, that is an arrest warrant issued by a Judge for failing to respond to or pay a citation. In other words, they blew it off and the judge issued a warrant to pick them up.

Being it is such a minor infraction in the eyes of the court, most Judges will not come out after hours to arraign a defendant for a traffic warrant.

But to answer your question-

A Pennsylvania State Trooper can arrest ANYONE for ANY traffic violation. A municipal officer can arrest any NON-RESIDENT of Pennsylvania for a traffic violation. In each case, the offender must be brought immediately in front of a magistrate for disposition.

Now understand this is *never* done. I have, although, escorted individuals to the Magistrate's office under certain circumstances during regular business hours. This is common when dealing with Motor Carrier enforcement. Some fines for truck violations can reach into the tens of thousands of dollars, and I impound the vehicle pending disposition of the summons. Many don't want the vehicle impounded, and want to see a judge ASAP. I oblige them, provided of course that the judge is available.

 

[burnte]

Be careful when you say never. I believe I outlines a situation above where it did. As for being a non-resident, he lives in Pittsburgh, and was just south of Erie (but not in Erie) where his little fiasco happened. So, he was a resident, and was arrested for a trafic violation, was held in isolation (unable to shower or even call a lawyer) for 9 days. The magistrate in that district was on vacation, so he was seen by another one nearby, labeled a flight risk (living 100 miles south of that little town), and held with a bail of $10,000 until the regular magistrate returned. Without being able to use a telephone, he couldn't raise the bail. When the regular magistrate returned, he was given time served, and released.

I'm not sure what part of the state you're in, but from what I've seen and heard, parts of NW PA are right out of the movie "Nothing But Trouble" ( http://us.imdb.com/Title?0102558 ).

 

[apples&oranges]

Thanks Bravo8 for the clarification (I misread your statement) and your answer.

 

[Bravo8]

No, he was arrested on a WARRANT. He was not arrested for the initial violation.

 

[burnte]

success!

The lawyer got a response from them all right. Within 10 days we got a reply. We've been furnished with a copy of the citations, the total needing paid (for both) and a payment schedule should she wish to pay these off over a short period of time, or a lump sum.

Moral: Never underestimate the power of a stern letter from alawyer.