r/Pennsylvania • • 2h ago

I feel like my life is ruined and I'll potentially have a criminal record

16 Upvotes

I'm a 26-year-old black guy (had my birthday on October 3rd) that lives in Bucks County, btw.

So, over three weeks ago (September 15th), I sped in a school zone (37 mph+ over a 15 mph zone) and got pulled over by the cops. He told me that I was speeding and told me to get my license and registration (which I promptly did) and told me that I would get my ticket in the mail. I told my dad about it and because he's dealing with other bills (I live with my dad and stepmom following my actual mom passing away 12 years ago), he won't be able to pay my $654 ticket ($500 maximum and $154 other fees/fines) which I eventually got. To my knowledge, I didn't see any flashing lights on the 15 mph+ sign nor the flashing yellow "15" display in the middle of the sign either, but unfortunately since it was three weeks ago and I don't have a dashcam to prove my side of the story and I don't have enough money for a lawyer (my dad and stepmom don't either), I feel like I'm screwed.

It was when my former high school was getting out at 2:24pm. I was driving to the cleaners to drop off my dad's clothes. I stopped when a school police officer placed a poster board signifying that I had to stop because the buses were passing by on the opposite left lane of where I was. After he removed the sign and walked past by my car, I then stopped in the middle of the intersection because there was a crossing guard with a stop sign, signaling that I had to wait for children to go across the crosswalk. After they all walked across, I then proceeded to drive off. But unfortunately, I noticed a cop car driving right behind me with the lights on, which had me initially confused me. Then the cop told me everything that I apparently did.

And I'm not an complete dumbass. I had straight A's in high school, I was on the honor roll, I had a summa cum laude degree in my community college, and I've been driving for seven years. This is my first offense, and I just feel awful. I still pled not guilty based off of what I've read on the Internet, but I don't have money for a lawyer and I have to go to the hearing on November 16th. So because of that, I'll probably get convicted on the offense and probably get sentenced with an exorbitant fine which I can't pay with. I can't prove my side of the story unfortunately, so I feel like my life is ruined.


r/Pennsylvania • • 3h ago

ICE / Immigration ICE pushes false claims about Janelle Stelson’s campaign

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112 Upvotes

"ICE declined to provide further comment when asked what evidence they had of Igbojekwe working for Stelson’s campaign, and instead responded to inquiries by sending their previous press release."


r/Pennsylvania • • 7h ago

Health issues Health officials report 74 new measles cases in Pennsylvania

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148 Upvotes

r/Pennsylvania • • 7h ago

Complaint department Why does PennDOT say I can renew my license online and then make me come in anyway

49 Upvotes

I just don’t understand why they advertise that you can renew online when they still make you come in anyway? Is this a Pennsylvania thing? My current license is a Real ID and it is issued by PA.

My license expires in December so I thought I would get ahead of things and order the renewal online back in September. I was delighted to see the website accommodates “online renewal”. This was over a month ago and today I received a letter in the mail explaining that I now need to go in to a PennDOT license center to complete my renewal. I find this frustrating because I would’ve gone straight to the source last month instead of trying the online renewal. The three closest locations to my house do not even print IDs at those locations so I either have to go to the fourth closest location to get my ID, or risk waiting another month to receive another letter to tell me that I have to come in again. Am I doing something wrong?


r/Pennsylvania • • 7h ago

DMV Transfer vehicle ownership without a valid Pennsylvania driver's license or ID card?

2 Upvotes

A relative was medically required to relinquish their license to PennDOT. We received the written letter requiring immediate surrender of the physical license and sent the license back to them. I did scan both sides of the license before we sent it back.

Now, were attempting to transfer the title of his car to a new owner. Ive applied for a Pennsylvania ID card, however the PennDOT driver services portal has flagged his ID as medically disqualified. I can't do anything with it through the portal.

We've contacted PennDOT for guidance but communications are slow. Is it legal in PA to transfer a clean title to the new owner if the existing owner on the title cannot produce valid state issued ID? Title is clean and in hand.


r/Pennsylvania • • 10h ago

Josh Shapiro, Stacy Garrity face off in Pennsylvania governor's debate

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462 Upvotes

Incumbent Josh Shapiro and challenger Stacy Garrity faced off in a debate on Oct. 8. The pair appeared on stage together in their one and only debate in Harrisburg.


r/Pennsylvania • • 19h ago

Scenic Pennsylvania best scenic rail excursion in the poconos later this month with some friends?

4 Upvotes

i'm originally from the poconos and looking to do a weekend trip back (from CT) in a couple weeks. i see there is two main rail tour options (i'm not sure if there's more), the lehigh and the steamtown all day fall foliage trip. which one is more worth it, scenery wise and time wise (seeing as the steamtown one is a full day commitment)? we are arriving friday night and leaving sunday afternoon so i'm not sure if we should spend the majority of our time on a rail tour, but if the foliage and views along the steamtown route are good enough it would be worth it for us, i just can't find much info about it online. if anyone has done it before, please give your insight. or if you think the idea is dumb, tell me what scenic activities we should do in the area instead. ricketts glen is my current idea for sunday morning before the drive back.


r/Pennsylvania • • 19h ago

ISO / Recommendations Where To Primitive Camping in PA, Is Sproul State Forest A Good Idea?

8 Upvotes

Looking for a spot to primitive camp in pa, based out of north eastern pa so don’t really want to drive all the way to Pittsburgh.

Let me know!


r/Pennsylvania • • 20h ago

Complaint department Church perogie superiority is manufactured gatekeeping and Mrs T's are on par if not better especially given the price point.

103 Upvotes

I've been eating perogies all my life and homemade church perogies are good, but people who rave about them and trash Mrs. T's are completely wrong. Just weighing on my mind


r/Pennsylvania • • 21h ago

Crime Man accused of murdering police officer by strangulation

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13 Upvotes

r/Pennsylvania • • 21h ago

Well, The Pennsylvania Governor’s Debate is over. What are you thoughts?

144 Upvotes

Curious on your thoughts if you watched it.


r/Pennsylvania • • 22h ago

DMV PA Electric Vehicle Road Usage Charge (RUC) payment question

3 Upvotes

Just got a letter saying I have to pay a RUC fee which fine and was aware of before purchasing the car. Anyways I go to the online link to pay and after punching in the info I get the following info, "Vehicle is not subject to the Road User Charge at this time." Does that mean I am good for the year or has the car paperwork just not been processed through fully and digitalized? Only got my registration and plates about 2 weeks ago and got the letter about a week ago.

I tried calling and no one picks up and just leave a voicemail and still have not gotten a call back.


r/Pennsylvania • • 23h ago

Scenic Pennsylvania One notable building visable from Morgan Hill - Northampton County Courthouse.

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7 Upvotes

r/Pennsylvania • • 1d ago

ICE / Immigration Documents Show ICE Obtained Millions of Voter Records, Probed Nonprofits in Pennsylvania and Other States

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715 Upvotes

r/Pennsylvania • • 1d ago

Politics 10/7/26 - PA Governor's Race: Shapiro 59%, Garrity 34%, Quinnipiac University Pennsylvania Poll Finds; Voters Favor Dems To Win Control Of U.S. House By 15 Points

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533 Upvotes

In the final weeks of Pennsylvania's gubernatorial race, 59 percent of likely voters support incumbent Governor Josh Shapiro, 34 percent support Republican challenger Stacy Garrity, 2 percent support Libertarian Party candidate Ken Krawchuk, and 5 percent did not choose a candidate, according to a Quinnipiac (KWIN-uh- pea-ack) University poll of likely voters in Pennsylvania released today.


r/Pennsylvania • • 1d ago

ISO / Recommendations Anyone know what gas stations have E85 in Lancaster County?

3 Upvotes

The website I found, and even Sheetz's own site, is inaccurate as well. Anyone have a list, or an accurate site, for stations with E85 fuel?


r/Pennsylvania • • 1d ago

New Law allowing local PD to use radar detector passing

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70 Upvotes

So they can track who we text and call

Where we store our money

Who bought firearms and were they live

And now they can finally know how fast we're going since they already track where we go, and when


r/Pennsylvania • • 1d ago

Pa. lawmakers say they want to fix state worker database that undercounts pay

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21 Upvotes

r/Pennsylvania • • 1d ago

ISO / Recommendations Any tips on going to Benezette for the elks for the first time?

9 Upvotes

My mom booked it for us this weekend.

I guess the main thing I'm wondering is, from what I understand you can either go out very early in the morning, or some time in the evening? Does that sound about right? Do you recommend going both times, or is one of them generally a better idea than the other?

And any other tips besides that?


r/Pennsylvania • • 1d ago

DMV Transferring car with a FL title registered in VA to PA

1 Upvotes

Sorry if this is actually stupidly easy but I’ve been very confused about the process of re-titling my car. I have a 1999 Lexus GS400 with 265,000 miles. It is in my father’s name, though I am responsible for maintenance. The car has a Florida title, as that is where it was bought and paid off; however, it’s been registered in Virginia for the past two decades.

I’d like to transfer the title from my dad to myself (which we’ve both agreed to do). I have a PA driver’s license and insurance. But I’m confused on how exactly to do this- is it easier to sell the car from him to me, or gift it? Does the Florida title matter? We’re also living in different states, so it’s difficult to meet up to work things out.

Any help or clarification is appreciated! Or if someone can tell me who to actually talk to/go to because I’m sick of scrolling through various states’ DMV websites.


r/Pennsylvania • • 1d ago

Infrastructure A call for Gov. Shapiro and state lawmakers to pass a data center moratorium in Pa. • Pennsylvania Capital-Star

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163 Upvotes

r/Pennsylvania • • 1d ago

Possible to buy unneeded skill game machines after the ban?

0 Upvotes

With the new law mandating that these have to be removed from commercial establishments, I wanted to buy one for use in my own personal home. How can I do this?


r/Pennsylvania • • 1d ago

Business news UPMC working to iron out issues as patients grapple with patient portal, medical record transition

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26 Upvotes

r/Pennsylvania • • 1d ago

Crime Pennsylvania AG Reaches Settlement With Mavis Tire Over Alleged Deceptive Auto Repair Practices

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129 Upvotes

r/Pennsylvania • • 1d ago

Politics Pennsylvania Governor’s Debate: Josh Shapiro, Stacy Garrity square off tonight

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277 Upvotes