For some, getting a traffic ticket is a small hassle. For others, it can mean an insurance spike, a suspension notice, or a job in jeopardy. Our Washington criminal defense attorneys in Washington County treat every case seriously and know what it takes to protect your record.
Call 724-399-3491 or contact us online for a free consultation.
Worgul, Sarna & Ness Handles the Full Scope of Traffic Charges
Traffic offenses here range in severity, but even minor violations can have lasting consequences. These are some of the charges we challenge.
Speeding (75 Pa.C.S. §3362)
Points depend on how many mph over the limit you were going. Active work zones can add a 15-day suspension on top of points. See our Speeding Tickets page for strategies.
Red light / stop sign violations (75 Pa.C.S. §§3112, 3323)
Often treated as “minor,” but they add points and increase insurance.
Leaving the scene (property damage) (75 Pa.C.S. §3745)
A “catch-all” often charged after a crash or near-miss; it carries points and can affect civil claims later.
Leaving the scene (hit & run) (75 Pa.C.S. §3742)
Consequences escalate if people are hurt; even property-damage-only cases carry points. Learn more on our Leaving the Scene page.
School bus violations (75 Pa.C.S. §3345)
These bring five points and a 60-day license suspension. Judges treat these seriously.
Driving under suspension (75 Pa.C.S. §1543)
Penalties can include fines, longer suspension periods, and even jail in some circumstances. See our Driving Without a License page.
Reckless driving (75 Pa.C.S. §3736)
A criminal traffic offense with harsh collateral effects; we often aim to negotiate down to non-point outcomes when the facts allow.
We Treat These Charges Seriously
For many people in Washington County, a traffic citation means much more than a fine. If you drive for a living or already have points on your record, even a minor ticket can have serious consequences.
For professional drivers—such as rideshare operators, bus drivers, truckers, and delivery workers—points on a license are more than an inconvenience. They can threaten your commercial driver’s license (CDL), cost you your job, or make it harder to stay employed.
The same is true if you already have points on your license. PennDOT imposes stricter rules once drivers accumulate six or more points, and for those under 18, just one ticket for excessive speeding can lead to a suspension.
What Are Points?
In Pennsylvania, most moving violations add points to your driving record with the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT). Each violation is assigned 2 to 5 points, and the total number on your record affects what happens next. Points can lead to higher insurance costs, corrective actions, hearings, or even license suspensions if they add up.
How Many Points Are Added for Common Traffic Offenses?
Your real-world outcomes depends on your record, you location, and your representation. However, these are the typical points assigned for common traffic violations.
- Speeding 6–10 mph over: 2 points
- Speeding 11–15 mph over: 3 points (15-day suspension if in an active work zone)
- Speeding 16–25 mph over: 4 points (work zone: +15-day suspension)
- Speeding 26–30 mph over: 5 points (work zone: +15-day suspension)
- Speeding 31+ mph over: 5 points + departmental hearing
- Red light / Stop sign: 3 points
- Careless driving: 3 points
- Leaving the scene—property damage: 4 points
- Failure to stop for a school bus: 5 points + 60-day suspension
- Under 18—6 points or 26+ over: 90-day suspension (first event)
How Many Points Can I Have Before My License is Affected?
In Washington County, most moving violations add between 2 and 5 points to your driving record. Once you reach 6 points, PennDOT begins corrective actions, such as written exams, hearings, or mandatory driver courses. If it’s not your first time reaching 6 points, or if the points keep adding up, you could face license suspensions.
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2–5 points
• Assigned for most moving violations (e.g., speeding, red light, careless driving). -
6 points (first time)
• Must pass a written exam on driving safety to avoid suspension. -
6 points (second time)
• Departmental hearing required; possible suspension or Driver Improvement School. -
6 points (third time or more)
• Automatic 30-day suspension, plus corrective requirements. -
School bus violation
• 5 points plus an automatic 60-day suspension. -
Excessive speeding (31+ mph over)
• 5 points and a mandatory hearing; may trigger additional sanctions. -
Point reduction
• For every 12 months you drive without a new points violation or suspension, PennDOT removes 3 points.
What If I Have a CDL?
For Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) holders in Pennsylvania, the rules are stricter than for regular drivers. Even a single traffic conviction can threaten your ability to work. Certain violations trigger automatic disqualification of your CDL, regardless of how many points you have. Others may not cost you points but still carry serious job consequences.
CDL Traffic Violations & Consequences
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Any moving violation in a CMV (Commercial Motor Vehicle)
• Points added to driving record (2–5 points per offense).
• Employers may treat even low-level violations seriously. -
Serious violations (e.g., 15+ mph over limit, reckless driving, improper lane use, texting while driving)
• 2 serious violations in 3 years = 60-day CDL disqualification.
• 3 serious violations in 3 years = 120-day CDL disqualification. -
Major violations (e.g., DUI, refusing a chemical test, leaving the scene of an accident, driving with a suspended CDL)
• 1st offense = 1-year CDL disqualification (3 years if hazardous materials involved).
• 2nd offense = lifetime CDL disqualification. -
Out-of-service order violations
• CDL disqualification of 180 days–3 years depending on severity and cargo type. -
Any conviction while driving a CMV
• Reported to employer and can impact current or future employment, even if no PennDOT points are added.
CDL violations can carry automatic disqualifications. Talk to a Washington traffic attorney before it’s too late.
A Step by Step Walkthrough of The Washington County Ticket Process
A traffic case usually starts with a citation from local police or the Pennsylvania State Police. You have a short deadline on the ticket to either pay (which is a guilty plea) or plead not guilty to request a hearing at your assigned Magisterial District Judge (MDJ) court. If you ignore a ticket after a mailed warning, PennDOT can suspend your license until you address it.
Respond or Plead Not Guilty
To fight your ticket, you must enter a not-guilty plea before the deadline listed on the citation. Doing so gets your case scheduled for a hearing in a Magisterial District Judge court, often called an MDJ court. Missing this deadline can result in an automatic conviction and may trigger additional penalties.
When you choose Worgul, Sarna & Ness, we file your plea correctly and immediately begin requesting evidence. We ask for the officer’s notes, the calibration and certification records for any speed-timing devices, and any available dash-camera or body-camera video. We then review everything for errors and weaknesses that can support a reduction or dismissal.
Your MDJ Hearing (Local District Court)
At the hearing, the officer testifies and you have the right to cross-examine and present evidence. Common outcomes include:
• Dismissal (when proof falls short)
• Reduced or amended charge (often to a non-point offense)
• Guilty finding, but you may request a new hearing in Common Pleas Court
We appear regularly in Washington County and tailor arguments for the MDJ handling your case. We work to highlight your clean history, CDL concerns, work needs, or insurance impact. We attempt to steer the case toward a no-points outcome.
What If You’re Convicted? Understanding the De Novo Appeal
A conviction in a traffic case doesn’t have to be the end of the line. In Washington County, you have 30 days to file an appeal for what is called a “de novo hearing” in the Court of Common Pleas. This type of hearing means your case begins again from the start, and a different judge will hear the evidence as if the first decision never happened.
Our team can manage the entire appeal process so you don’t have to worry about missed steps or deadlines. We prepare and file the necessary paperwork, draft motions, and represent you in court. Because the appeal is heard as if no prior ruling occurred, the result may improve upon your original decision.
Missed a Ticket Deadline or Got a Suspension Letter?
Before your license is suspended for failing to address a ticket, the court typically mails a warning letter and gives you a brief chance to respond. If you still don’t act, PennDOT can suspend your license under §1533.
Don’t drive on a suspension. Even if you got a suspension letter, we can help you reopen the case, ask for relief, or appeal quickly.
Washington County Courts, MDJs, and Driver Resources
- Clerk of Courts (Criminal Records/Filings)
Address: 1 S. Main St., Suite 1005, Washington, PA 15301
Phone: 724-228-6787
Website: Washington County Clerk of Courts
- Washington County—General Government Contact
Address: 95 W Beau Street, Washington, PA 15301
Phone: 724-228-6700.
Website: Washington County Government
- Magisterial District Judges (MDJ) Directory
There are 11 districts countywide. Central court for preliminary hearings is held at the Courthouse. View the website to find your district.
Website: MDJ Guide & Directory
- PennDOT Driver & Vehicle Services (Points / Suspensions / Restoration)
The official PennDOT website has resources on point thresholds, school bus suspensions, fines, driver improvement requirements, and more.
Website: PennDOT
We Fight to Avoid Points and Contain Costs
A quick payment may feel like the easiest option, but it usually comes with hidden costs. Insurance companies raise rates, employers notice records, and PennDOT may take action if you already have points. We focus on solutions that prevent these outcomes.
We examine the evidence and timing methods.
That includes VASCAR, ENRADD, pacing, calibration logs, signage, observation angles, lane conditions, and any available body or dash camera footage.
We challenge the legal and technical details.
We question lane position, sightlines, signage visibility, and officer recollection, and we move to exclude unreliable measurements or improperly admitted statements.
We negotiate for better outcomes.
Using your history and the facts of the case, we push for non-point or reduced-point resolutions. Our familiarity with Washington County practices helps us propose solutions that magistrates are more likely to accept.
We focus on CDL-specific defenses.
For professional drivers, we work to minimize federal disqualification risks and prevent employer reporting problems.
We handle appeals when necessary.
If the MDJ’s decision still harms your license, we pursue a de novo appeal in the Washington County Court of Common Pleas.
We Offer Special Defenses for CDL, Teen Drivers, & Out-of-State Licenses
CDL Holders
For commercial drivers, even a minor conviction can create serious problems. Employers often take action based on any violation, and federal rules can lead to disqualification. We build strategies that avoid CDL-harming outcomes and account for how Pennsylvania convictions are reported across state lines.
Under-18 Drivers
Pennsylvania law is especially strict for younger drivers. A first violation that results in six points or driving 26 miles per hour over the limit can trigger a 90-day suspension. These cases affect school, work, and insurance rates. We step in early to reduce the risk of losing driving privileges.
Out-of-State Drivers
A ticket in Pennsylvania doesn’t stay here. Many states share information and will apply penalties back home. We defend your case with both states in mind, pursuing outcomes that minimize or avoid negative reporting to your licensing state.
What Areas Do We Serve in Washington County?
We defend traffic cases county-wide, including:
- Washington
- Canonsburg
- McMurray
- Cecil Township
- North Strabane Township
- Peters Township
- Charleroi area
and surrounding communities. We also assist nearby in Allegheny, Beaver, Butler, Greene, and Westmoreland counties when traffic cases overlap.
Frequently Asked Questions About Washington County Traffic Tickets
Should I just pay my speeding ticket online?
Paying is a guilty plea that adds points and can raise your insurance. Many tickets can be reduced to non-point violations—especially with a clean history—so it’s worth exploring your options first.
How many points am I looking at?
Most moving violations are 2–5 points. At 6 points, PennDOT requires corrective action. School bus violations add 5 points and a 60-day suspension. We aim to avoid points altogether.
What happens at my MDJ hearing?
The officer testifies; you or your lawyer can question them and present evidence. Outcomes range from dismissal to amended charges or a conviction. If convicted, you have 30 days to request a fresh de novo hearing in the Court of Common Pleas.
I missed the deadline and got a letter about suspension. Am I out of luck?
Not necessarily. Courts generally send a warning first; if you still don’t respond, PennDOT can suspend under §1533. We often help clients fix this with motions or appeals—just don’t drive on a suspension.
I have a CDL. Can you keep this off my record?
No lawyer can promise results, but our goal is a resolution that avoids CDL-harming convictions. We pursue non-point, non-serious outcomes and build strategy around employer and federal rules.
Get Help From a Washington County Traffic Lawyer
A single ticket can snowball into points, higher premiums, and even a suspension. Don’t let it. Our Washington County traffic lawyers know the local courts and what works in Pennsylvania traffic cases. Call 724-399-3491 or contact us online for a free, confidential consultation.
