Professional Drivers

Getting a traffic citation happens to many people, but when you are a professional driver, the fallout can be substantially more severe. Errors made by individuals who drive for a living carry heavier consequences and can result in permanent career damage. Instead of simply pleading guilty and accepting the fault, it is vital to fight for a spotless driving record. If you are ever accused of a moving violation, you should not wait to get legal help.

At Logue Law Group, our accomplished legal team features highly respected defense practitioners who have a proven track record of managing CDL (commercial driver’s license) matters. Leveraging their comprehensive knowledge, a skilled New Castle criminal lawyer can work to get your traffic charges downgraded or completely dismissed. Hiring dedicated legal representation is a smart investment. It will not only spare you from exorbitant fines and skyrocketing insurance rates in the future, but it will also safeguard your very livelihood.

Rules for Commercial/Professional Drivers

Breaking traffic laws often results in penalty points being added to your driving history, massive monetary fines, and spiked insurance costs. More importantly, racking up too many points might trigger a license suspension. For someone who relies on their commercial driving license to make a living, this outcome is disastrous.

Notification

As a CDL holder in Pennsylvania, you have a strict legal duty to alert both your employer and PennDOT within 30 days of getting a traffic citation. This rule applies even if the infraction took place outside of the state.

Penalties

If you are caught breaking the law for the first time, PennDOT will suspend your CDL for at least one full year for any of these specific violations:

• Operating a commercial motor vehicle (CMV) while your CDL is canceled, recalled, revoked, or suspended
• Using a CMV to commit a felony offense
• Leaving the scene of a crash without reporting it to authorities
• Destroying unoccupied property or a vehicle with a CMV
• Being in a CMV accident that causes physical injury or death
• Driving a CMV under the influence of controlled substances or alcohol
• Operating a CMV with a blood alcohol concentration of .04% or higher (which is exactly half of the standard legal limit in Pennsylvania)
• Declining to submit to a chemical or blood alcohol test, among other infractions.

If you are facing these severe charges, consulting a New Castle DUI attorney is critical. For a second offense, your CDL could be taken away for life. Furthermore, if you commit any of these offenses while hauling hazardous materials, your CDL can be revoked for three years just for a first offense. Professional drivers must comprehend how complex these legal situations can get.

Additionally, if you are convicted of two serious traffic violations within a three-year window, your license faces a minimum 60-day suspension. If you accumulate three serious violations in that timeframe, the suspension jumps to 120 days.

Out of State

If a professional driver’s license is suspended in another state, employers and agencies can easily access this data via the National Driver Register, a centralized database. Therefore, if a different state suspends your driving privileges, Pennsylvania will automatically follow suit. Even minor infractions can negatively impact your record.

Professional Help From a Lawyer

When you face accusations of a traffic offense, having an aggressive and knowledgeable New Castle criminal lawyer in your corner is essential. They can evaluate your case to find the optimal defense strategy and will fight relentlessly to defend your legal rights.

Do not put your career and income at risk. If you are handed a traffic ticket, you need to contact an attorney right away.

For a free initial consultation with a seasoned defense professional from Logue Law Group, contact New Castle DUI attorney online or dial 412.387.6901 at any time of day or night. Logue Law Group proudly serves Western Pennsylvania, including Lawrence County and the surrounding communities, as well as neighboring Ohio and West Virginia.