Question regarding traffic ticket in Philadelphia
 

I just received a citation last night and not sure on what the charge is. Officer did not explain anything, just told me that I blew a red light, and bottomed out. The note section on the ticket reads "Veh. was driving recklessly and speeding, blew through light, and bottomed out before it was stopped". So is it a speeding ticket, or a reckless driving ticket, or both? Also there wasn't any mentioning of points on the ticket, I expect there to be some points though, just want to know how much it is. I intend to fight the ticket to the fullest.

what is the violation number on the citation, it will be at the top of the fine boxes

Thank you for your reply.

What would that number tell you, if you don't mind me asking. Are you able to run a database search or do different numbers mean different things? I left the ticket on my visor and forgot to bring it in. I will grab it next time I go outside.

I'm just really confused about the whole thing because the officer stopped me, wrote the ticket, and said "drive slower" all in under 5 minutes. The ticket seems serious to me ($300) but the way the officer issued it, made it seem like nothing. This is my first ever violation, would there be a chance of a suspended license as a result?

I intend to fight it because I feel the officer did not fully understand the situation or cared for me to explain.

the number will tell me what violation he cited you for then I can tell you if it carries any points

Thanks again Bane,

Looking at the ticket now, I do see a charge section of 3736 A: Reckless Driving. I looked it up and found from here:
http://jsg.legis.state.pa.us/Motor%20Vehicles.PDF

"Reckless driving [§3736 (a)], apparently a more serious
violation of the Commonwealth’s motor vehicle laws, given its designation in Chapter
37 subchapter B as a “serious offense,” does carry a higher fine (i.e., $200). However,
a violation of the Commonwealth’s reckless driving law does not carry an assessment
of points against the violator’s driving record. "

So there are no points, but I found on here: http://william.e.jones.tripod.com/la...violations.htm
that there is a 6 month suspension of license.

My question now is what experiences do you have with this? Should I require a lawyer at the first court hearing? This is my first offense on a clean record...

you can get a lawyer if you want/can afford one, but you dont need one