Turn to a Trusted Weigh Station Violation Attorney in Pittsburgh, PA, to Help You Fight Charges Leading to Thousands of Dollars in Criminal Fines
In Pittsburgh and throughout Western Pennsylvania, truck weight limits are strictly enforced. A mishap at a weigh station could lead to thousands of dollars in fines and major delays in completing routes. Challenging these charges is your chance to minimize the consequences of this violation, but to do it successfully, you’re going to need a Pittsburgh overweight truck violation lawyer on your side.
Attorney Samir Hadeed advocates for truck drivers and trucking companies charged with weigh station violations on and around the most traveled routes in Pittsburgh and the surrounding areas, including I-76, U.S. Route 22, and more. Contact Hadeed Law today, and find out how professional legal representation can help during a free consultation.
Legal Need? Call Hadeed for Help Fighting Weigh Station Violation Charges
With experience defending against both high-stakes criminal charges and serious traffic violations, Hadeed Law provides legal support that gets results. Attorney Samir Hadeed has successfully secured favorable outcomes such as:
- Complete dismissals of overweight truck violation charges
- Reductions from summary offenses (crimes) to infractions
- Negotiated plea deals that reduce the fines, saving you money
- Not-guilty trial verdicts achieved through successfully disputing the prosecutor’s case
Additionally, Mr. Hadeed is often able to secure a waiver of court appearance, which allows him to appear in court on behalf of the truck driver. This approach minimizes the consequences of court proceedings that include missed work and, for drivers based elsewhere, travel costs.
How Hadeed Law Serves Truck Drivers and CDL Holders Throughout Pittsburgh and Beyond
Hadeed Law has provided powerful defenses for clients throughout Western Pennsylvania for over a decade. With extensive local knowledge, attorney Samir Hadeed is familiar with the weigh stations, unique weight restrictions, traffic conditions, and industrial concerns pertaining to major local roadways, including:
- I-76
- I-79
- I-279
- I-376
- I-579
- U.S. Route 19
- U.S. Route 22
- U.S. Route 30
- PA 8
- PA 28
- PA 43
- PA 48
- PA 50
- PA 51
- PA 60
- PA 65
- PA 88
- PA 121
- PA 130
- PA 136
- PA 148
- PA 286
- PA 366
- PA 380
- PA 791
- PA 837
- PA 885
- PA 906
- PA 910
- PA 978
- PA 980
As your Pittsburgh overweight truck violation lawyer, Mr. Hadeed will provide full-service support, filing critical legal documents like a waiver of court appearance, representing you in court proceedings, and building the most effective legal strategy possible based on your specific circumstances.
Truck Weight Limit Laws in Pittsburgh and Throughout Western Pennsylvania
When tractor-trailers and other large trucks navigate the highways and bridges of Western Pennsylvania, they’re subject to strict weight limits. Numerous statutes of PA law (under Chapter 49 of Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes) address truck weight restrictions, including the following.
Weight Limit Violations as a Summary Criminal Offense
Under Section 4901 of Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, Title 75, it’s unlawful for any vehicle exceeding weight limitations established by state law to be operated on PA highways (unless they have a permit to do so). Violations of this law can result in summary criminal proceedings.
Violations of Weight Restrictions on Specific PA Highways and Bridges
Section 4902 of Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, Title 75, establishes specific restrictions on the use of highways and bridges based on vehicle weight or size pertaining to both bridge and road conditions and traffic conditions. Again, permits may be issued in certain circumstances, allowing for an exception to this rule.
If you’re convicted of the summary criminal offense of operating an overloaded vehicle with a gross weight that exceeds the posted weight limits established for a highway or bridge, you can be fined a flat $150, plus an additional $150 for each 500 pounds carried in excess of 3,000 pounds over the maximum allowable weight.
The maximum fine that can be imposed under Pennsylvania law in matters in which the weight limits are imposed due to traffic conditions is $500 for a single violation of this statute. However, no such maximum fine applies when the weight limit is based on the condition of the highway or bridge. In this instance, truck drivers and trucking companies can find themselves facing thousands of dollars in fines.
General Weight Limits for Trucks Operating in Pennsylvania
Even if the incident didn’t involve specific highways or bridges with individual weight restrictions, Pennsylvania law also establishes maximum weight limits for vehicles operating on highways throughout the state. Under Section 4941, the maximum gross weight cannot exceed:
- 80,000 pounds for any combination of truck and trailer
- 73,280 for a two-axle truck tractor & two-axle semitrailer
- 73,280 for a two-axle truck & two-axle trailer
- 73,280 for a three-axle truck tractor & single-axle semitrailer
- 58,400 for a two-axle truck tractor & single-axle semitrailer
This statute also establishes maximum weight restrictions by number of axles, which include:
- 80,000 for a seven-axle motor vehicle
- 77,000 for a six-axle motor vehicle
- 73,280 for a five-axle motor vehicle
- 73,280 for a four-axle motor vehicle
- 58,400 for a three-axle motor vehicle
- 38,000 for a two-axle motor vehicle
Limited exceptions apply to natural gas and electric vehicles that exceed the gross vehicle weight limit established by this statute by 2,000 pounds or less.
Subsequent statutes establish maximum weight limits specifically for axle weights (Section 4943 of Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, Title 75) and wheel loads (Section 4944).
Under Section 4945 of Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, Title 75, the state establishes penalties for general gross vehicle weight violations. This summary offense exposes you to a flat fine of $75 plus an additional $75 fine for each 500 pounds in excess of 3,000 pounds over the maximum gross weight. This fine can be doubled if the vehicle’s weight exceeds the applicable gross weight allowed under section 4941(a). This statute of PA law also addresses instances of specific axle weight violations, wheel weight violations, and concurrent violations.
When you have been charged with unlawfully operating an overweight or overloaded vehicle on Pennsylvania roads, you could be fined thousands of dollars. Your next step should be retaining the guidance of an experienced weigh station violation attorney in Pittsburgh, PA, to help you minimize the consequences of this legal issue.
How to Beat an Overweight Truck Charge in Pittsburgh, PA
Although a violation of truck weight limits may seem straightforward, it may be possible to successfully dispute the charges against you or otherwise achieve an outcome more favorable than being hit with the full fines permitted under state law. As your Pittsburgh overweight truck violation lawyer, Samir Hadeed will draw on his extensive experience in criminal defense practice to provide a carefully calculated legal strategy, which might include:
- Challenging the calibration of the scale, which can cast doubts on the reliability of the weight measurement
- Arguing that incorrect weight distribution of the truck’s load, rather than true gross weight, resulted in an improper citation
- Identifying improper procedures that deprived you of a reasonable opportunity to weigh the truck and to be made aware that the load exceeded legal limits
- Arguing that errors in documentation contributed to the alleged violation
- Establishing that your vehicle or circumstances constituted an exemption to the maximum weight restrictions
Even if none of these potential defense strategies fit the facts of your situation, having an attorney can help you negotiate with the prosecutor to potentially face lower fines.
Is It Worth Hiring a Weigh Station Violation Attorney in Pittsburgh, PA?
Because overweight truck violations are summary offenses rather than misdemeanors or felonies and are typically penalized by fines, CDL holders and trucking companies may question whether hiring legal representation is worth the cost. However, there are numerous often-overlooked factors you should consider:
- Depending on the extent to which the truck’s weight exceeded limits, you could be facing fines amounting to thousands of dollars, plus court costs. Trying to save a little money by not hiring a lawyer who can help you significantly reduce steep fines isn’t a financially sound approach.
- Any time the truck driver has to spend in court dealing with this situation can result in missed time at work, lost wages, delays and lost income for the trucking company, and other collateral costs. By appearing on your behalf, a Pittsburgh overweight truck violation lawyer can reduce these losses.
- A summary offense is still classified as a crime in Pennsylvania, and it can continue to appear on your record. You should treat this incident as the criminal violation it is, and that means having dedicated legal counsel on your side.
Hadeed Law is prepared to pursue the outcome to truck weigh station violations that most benefits you.
Why Choose Hadeed Law as Your Pittsburgh Overweight Truck Violation Lawyer?
Clients turn to Hadeed Law for help based on attorney Samir Hadeed’s experience, record of results, and commitment to serving legal needs throughout Western Pennsylvania.
Extensive Experience
For more than 15 years, Mr. Hadeed has practiced criminal defense law with skill and strategy. He helps his clients fight back against charges that range from driving on a suspended license and DUI to assault, gun crimes, and drug crimes.
A History of Getting Results
Hadeed Law is known for consistently securing favorable outcomes for clients. Although every case is different, methodical approaches to the legal process and personalized strategies based on the facts of each individual case support resolutions that benefit the firm’s clients.
Local Knowledge
Having served clients throughout Allegheny County, Westmoreland County, Butler County, Washington County, Indiana County, and beyond, Mr. Hadeed understands the unique needs of Western PA clients and the local court systems in which their legal battles are fought.
Contact a Pittsburgh Overweight Truck Violation Lawyer at Hadeed Law Today for a Free Case Review
It costs nothing to speak to a lawyer about your situation and make sure you understand your rights, the potential penalties you’re facing, and your options. The consultation is free, confidential, and without obligation, so you can get your questions answered and make the decision that’s right for you.
For help from a weigh station violation attorney in Pittsburgh, PA, contact Hadeed Law online or call 412-275-5413 today.