Lawyer recommendation in Philly

[JeffR]

Hey guys, sort of a long shot here but,

Got into a little traffic difficulty and am in danger of losing my license. I spun my car on a wet road and the cop wrote me up for reckless driving. My vehicle only, no one injured and I drove my car away. That is the second ticket I have had in the past ten years, other being a stop light that I crept through 5 seconds early.

So I just paid the ticket figuring that was the end of it. Next thing you know I get a letter from DOT saying my license is suspended beginning June 30.

So I need a lawyer experienced with Philadelphia traffic court. If anyone knows a good one, please email or leave a post.

Thanks
Jeff

[Motofun352]

No help on the Lawyer front, but it really irks me that the cops mail out tickets after the fact....They show up (usually) on the scene so why not write up the tickets then? This tells me it's really about the revenue.

[BlindGoldfish Z]

I'm not a lawyer, but I was under the impression that if you paid the the ticket it was esentially pleading guilty and you couldn't go back and appeal afterward. You may be SOL?

[riddler]

I got a ticket returning home from Thanksgiving last year (I grew up outside of Philly). It was my third in a 12 month period and would have resulted in a suspended license. None of them were in IL so supervision was not an option, so I had to get a lawyer or accept the loss of my license.

I used these guys:
Guyer & DeNardo
Attorneys at Law
790 Penllyn Pike, Suite 302
Blue Bell , PA 19422

I don't know if he practices in Philly. It cost me around $900. But it was reduced to a non-moving violation and I didn't have to pay the fine, or fly out there to show up for the hearing.

If they can't help you maybe they can make a recommendation.
Good luck.

[verikp]

I know those guys and they know what they are doing. If they got you covered good!!! If not, call me and I can probably help. I have been an attorney in the Phila. area for 16 years and do this kind of work. I am also a track day addict who rides an Aprilia RS250 and an older (1996) GSXR 750. I have never ridden with NESBA.....please don't hold that against me.

My office # is 215-513-1700 and here is my website for further info. www.petersen-lawoffice.com

Erik.

[Blaise]

Dude, you pleaded guilty already. It's too late! Next time I would HIGHLY suggest reading up on the facts rather than just paying it or trusting what an officer says. Myself and my friends have been told countless times that a ticket was 'no points' and to mail it in... unless it's a 3111 (in PA) it was a 3-4 point ticket.

What ticket were you given? You need 12 points to lose your license...

http://www.dmv.state.pa.us/pdotforms/fact_sheets/pub472.pdf

[Dave561]

There are multiple offenses that can result in an automatic suspension, including reckless driving, racing, fleeing a police officer, etc. Good luck

[geckert]

My last ticket was for speeding going 5 over. I passed a cop and he got upset about it. I defended myself in court and won because the officer made a minor error (not timing me long enough) but i am pretty sure when you pay the ticket you have to plead guilty or not guilty on the back. There is probably a way to appeal even after you plead guilty and pay the ticket but goodluck i think thats a rediculous charge.

[JeffR]

Thanks for the replies all. I'll give the recommended lawyers a call.

I checked the traffic court web site and you have 30 days to appeal, even after you have plead guilty and paid the fine. So, in theory anyway, not SOL.

I expected some more wise-crackers, c'mon guys I didn't wreck my bike! I just got a damn ticket, loosen up a little.

[cnofear2000]

were you trying to drag a knee? maybe the cop was upset if you had the door open draggin a knee!:)

[Blaise]

were you trying to drag a knee? maybe the cop was upset if you had the door open draggin a knee!:)

My 6'7 friend drug a knee at the gap and got a reckless ticket. He was going less than the speed limit... hell he could drag a knee going straight on an R6.

But if he went around the turn with bad body position he wouldn't have gotten in trouble :banghead:

[rk97]

it's good that you're asking right away, and not 6 months too late.

as you noted, you have 30 days to appeal, and you CAN get a ticket expunged from your record, even after pleading guilty, but you have to give the judge a good reason.

"i didn't know ______" won't be a good reason. "i'm applying for a job as a driver for _____ company, and this could prevent me from getting that job. I'm willing to plead to a lesser offense and pay a larger fine" is in the direction of a good reason.

good luck working things out. I wish i could give you more specific advice on the Philly area, but it sounds like others already have.