Demerit Point System in Montgomery County
When individuals are convicted of violating a traffic offense in Montgomery County, the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDot) will assign you demerit points depending on the severity of the violation. Unfortunately, Demerits will typically last for a year. At that point, they will begin to be removed. The driver can accumulate a max of 11 points before their license is suspended.
If you have been accused of violating the rules of the road, it is best to speak to a knowledgeable traffic lawyer. They could explain the demerit point system in Montgomery County and help you avoid the consequences of a conviction.
Understanding the Uniform Demerit Point System
The demerit point system varies from state to state. However, some states do share records and have open share policies such as Pennsylvania and New York. For these, someone might get points. If they have a license in different jurisdictions such as New York, they may get points on their license for infractions in Pennsylvania.
The points are determined by PennDOT in the driving statutes. There are some clear indications for some of the offenses, and they are all set out in the different statutes of the driving code. For example, for the speeding offenses, one to ten miles per hour over the limit is three points on the license.
Consequences of Accumulating Too Many Points
Too many points from a combination of offenses or from one single traffic offense will cause someone to have their license called into question. After six points, they can be called in for a hearing. If they fail to appear for that hearing, their license may be suspended. After someone gets 11 points on their license, their license will automatically be suspended, and they will have to wait until they are able to drive again.
In Pennsylvania, for all minor out-of-state traffic offenses, PA will not add points. The only exception is if someone is a commercial driver’s license holder (CDL), then the points will be assessed regardless of whether it is a minor or major infraction. If you are assessed points in a different county, they will accumulate throughout Pennsylvania.
Long-Term Impacts
The long-term impact of accumulating points means that they remain on the driving record. Increased insurance costs and repeat summary violations for traffic offenses could also appear when someone is applying for professional licenses. Additionally, if a person has to have their background thoroughly checked, the summary citations may show up.
Challenging Points Assessed to a License
The challenge must be made in each state where a point accumulated, and the fines must be paid in the state in which they were accumulated. Also, the challenge must be made in the state where the arrest occurred. Otherwise, they will most likely lose their chance to challenge the ticket.
What is the Process for Getting Points Removed from a License in Montgomery County?
The process involves mainly good driving for a prolonged period of time, at which point the points will begin to come off the license. In point removal for safe driving, three points are removed from a driver’s license for every 12 months in which they are not under suspension, revocation, or has not committed any violation. Once it reaches zero, it remains at zero, and any further accumulation is seen as the first points on the license all over again.
How a Traffic Attorney Could Help
Montgomery County traffic lawyers can help an individual’s case by challenging the citation that is in front of them and helping them avoid a conviction. This can be done by having a hearing, challenging the specific ticket and the proof of the offense or by negotiation with the district attorney who is prosecuting the case.
An experienced traffic lawyer could help individuals understand how the demerit point system in Montgomery County could affect their case. Call today to learn about how an attorney could help your case.