• 16
  • May
    2011

For most Pennsylvania residents, few things are more stressful than getting pulled over or arrested. In our current economy, there are numerous factors that can make the situation more nerve-wracking. When an individual is facing a ticket for a traffic violation, people typically worry about their record.

Will this end up on my criminal record? Will I have my license suspended? But the biggest concern for many people is money - How much will the speeding ticket cost?

Money concerns are so widespread that it impacts police officers when they are debating whether to write tickets. One police officer said they are more tolerant and empathetic than they have been in the past, "People have lost their jobs and are struggling. A lot of times you'll see families in the car. How do you write someone a $700 ticket when they have a carload of kids?"

For police officers, it is common to see individuals who are crying or visibly upset. However, officers say that the number of distressed individuals is increasing.

People have never been worried about receiving traffic tickets. A few years ago, an arrest may have been an inconvenience and might threaten an otherwise spotless record. Now, a traffic ticket might be expensive enough to uproot an individual who is living paycheck to paycheck.

In reality, many people will encounter police officers who are not in the mood to empathetically hand out warnings instead of tickets. If you receive a traffic ticket, it may be beneficial to contact an attorney who can help you make sure the ticket does not ruin your record or your wallet.

Source: Tampabay.com, "In bad economy, drivers buckling under traffic tickets," Michael Van Sickler, Times Staff Writer, 16 May 2011