Legal Question in Criminal Law in Pennsylvania

speeding ticket/disorderly conduct citation

my son 17 yrs old, was issued a speeding ticket. paid the fine - plea not guilty-upcoming hearing in March. Also rec'd disorderly conduct citation 5503 aA - reason the officer issued citation smelled pot/searched car found pot seeds on floor of car&a cigar in zip lock bag-this was not mentioned on the citation-citation states intent to cause public annoyance. Rec'd phone call from the officer notifying me of what occurred. Advised me that he could have arrested him due to what he saw in the car and cut him a break. Said my son was very cooperative and upfront with him. He asked if he was smoking pot? my son replied, No? If he searched the car would he find pot? my son replied, not anymore. The officer advised me to plead him not guilty to the traffic ticket, may be able to get a point taken off. Because he cut him a break on the disorderly conduct he advised to plea guilty - paid $20 fine- upcoming hearing in March on both traffic/disorderly conduct. Should I have entered a plea of not guilty for the disorderly conduct? This occurred 2hours away from home in Hershey, PA -Dauphin county. This is his first ticket and disorderly conduct. Please advise what could happen. Could I change the plea for the disorderly conduct?


Asked on 2/02/07, 9:25 am

1 Answer from Attorneys
Charles A. Pascal, Jr. Law Office of Charles A. Pascal, Jr.

Re: speeding ticket/disorderly conduct citation

You wouldn't be having a hearing on the disorderly conduct if you pleaded guilty.

Yes, you should plead guilty to the disorderly conduct if he charged it as a summary offense. The officer gave him a break. He could have been charged with possession of a small amount of marijuana which, while a relatively minor charge, carries a 6 month driver's license suspension.

Plead not guilty to the speeding, to get some points reduced, and guilty to the disorderly.

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Answered on 2/02/07, 12:14 pm


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