Whether you are working in, living in, or visiting Lebanon , Pennsylvania, you will probably be doing so in your vehicle. Lebanon is easily accessible by both Interstates 81 and 78, meaning it is very easy to get in and out of the town by vehicle. But whether you have lived in Lebanon for years or are visiting for the first time, you can still get a traffic ticket even by making one simple mistake. People who live in the area may find it easy and tempting to speed, whereas visitors to the area could miss a stop sign or red light that they were not expecting. Unfortunately, if you are caught by a member of the Lebanon police department [], you will almost surely end up with a traffic ticket, even if the violation was committed by accident.

Even if this is not the first traffic ticket that you have received, you may still be confused as to what your traffic ticket means for you or how you should handle your ticket. The most important thing to know is that your traffic ticket is not just going to “go away” without you taking action. Even if you pay the fine on your ticket, it does not simply make the ticket disappear. You still have to face other penalties that come from your traffic ticket on top of the money you lost by paying the fine. The only way to not suffer any of the penalties from your traffic ticket is to work with a Lebanon traffic ticket lawyer to get your ticket reduced or dismissed in court.

Fines for Pennsylvania traffic tickets can be high, especially for common traffic offenses. A speeding ticket could cost you anywhere from $45 to $100, which is hardly a small amount of cash. Most traffic violations come with some kind of fine, and the most expensive fines come from DUI charges, which could cost you hundreds or even thousands of dollars.

But even if you suck it up and pay the fine, you will still have points added to your license for traffic violations (except DUIs, which often result in jail time instead). Points on your record may seem harmless, but the more points on your record, the more consequences you have to face. Most common traffic violations result in three or four points on your record, and as soon as you hit six points on your record, you will have to pass a test about driving safely. Any subsequent time that your record gets a total of six points, you will face losing your freedom to drive by having your license suspended for a certain period of time. And even aside from fines and points, you may have to pay additional surcharges or fees, and your car insurance company may up your monthly charges because you are now considered to be a risky driver.

When you get your traffic ticket, you will also be assigned a court date. If you choose not to pay the fine and face the additional penalties, you will plead “not guilty” and attend the Lebanon district court on your assigned court date. This is where the assistance of your Lebanon traffic ticket attorney will come into play.

Your court date will consist of you going before the judge to explain why you feel that you should have your ticket dismissed or at least have the penalties on your ticket reduced. But the judge will also consider the side of the police officer who wrote your ticket, who will also be at your court date to describe what happened from their perspective. Because police officers are supposed to enforce the law, judges often believe that the police officer was correct to issue you your ticket. The only way to counteract the word of the police officer is to have a well prepared and strong defense, complete with evidence, that will force the judge to consider your side.

Many people who try to defend themselves in traffic court find it difficult to convince the judge of their innocence. But with the help of a Lebanon traffic ticket lawyer who has experience handling these kinds of cases, you can build a defense that will be convincing to the judge and that can help you avoid the harsh penalties of your traffic ticket. Do not let a simple driving mistake cost you your money and your freedom. We are on your side and will help you throughout every step as you fight your traffic ticket. Contact our offices as soon as possible in order to have plenty of time to prepare for court.