3111a?

[CBBBMom]

What is the name of your state? PA

Hello everyone. I have a court date tomorrow for a speeding ticket and I wanted to know exactly what 3111a stands for. I was on the PA Turnpike and was clocked by the Trooper's radar as going 82 in a 65. I know I was speeding, but I know for sure that I wasn't going 82. Regardless, I know I am guilty of speeding, but I cannot afford to pay this ticket nor to get points on my license. My driving record is completely clean, no tickets (reported), accidents or violations. I did have 1 ticket 4 years ago (the ONLY ticket I have ever had) and pleaded not guilty and my husband told me to ask for 3111a at my hearing. While waiting for the hearing, the officer told me I could have 3111a before I even asked. But this ticket is a different story because it is a State Trooper and from what I understand, 3111a means the money goes to the township and not the state for the fine I end up paying. I can't see a State Trooper allowing me to ask for 3111a for this ticket. My husband seems to think I should still ask for it. I don't want to look stupid going in and requesting this.

I don't have a choice but to bring my 3 little children with me (no family in the area, my babysitter is sick, and my friends work). Will I be looked down upon for this? Is it to my benefit to bring my driving record with me which shows I have a clean record? I cannot afford a lawyer so I am going on my own.

Also under remarks he has written "A W/N DH." What does that mean?

Thank you.

 

[loulblades]

I was unaware that revenue from a Failure to Obey (FTO) was distributed differently than speeding. Anyway I have pleaded not guilty to 3 speeding tickets in the last 2 years in PA. Two were from state police (97/65 and 84/65) and 1 was from a local officer (51/35). I am of the opinion that the locals are much more revenue aware than the state cops due to the fact the local guys were very well prepared for the hearing in contrast to the state guys. There is plenty of case law in PA that requires certain procedures and documentation for speeding tickets.

In the case of the 2 state tickets, no offer to plead down was made and I had no contact with the officers before hand (we were in the courtroom for a short time before the judge/magistrate came in and if I was going to try to plead down I guess that would have been the chance). The judge/magistrate came in the courtroom, the officer did his testimony and I made a motion to dismiss when he was finished based on an improper procedure. In theory, the officer is the prosecution/witness, you are the defense/witness and the judge is the referee ("in theory").

For the local ticket the officers did make an offer to plead down before the judge came in, which I took because their documentation was pretty extensive.

Also in all 3, no DA was involved. You might approach the officer before the hearing to talk about a plea. Failure to obey would be ideal but IMHO unlikely but you might get the speed down some. You are currently looking at 4 points which will be with you for a couple years but if you get it to 79 then you're talking 3 points which hang with you for a year (considering you don't get any other tickets during that time).

You kinda waited till the last minute to get advice. I spent a month researching before going to my first hearing.

BTW the 2 state tickets were dismissed.

One other thing...you are not guilty of speeding until you plead guilty or the judge says you're guilty.