Is an unregistered vehicle or vehicle with expired inspection a misdemeanor?

Q: I was cited in Pittsburgh for driving a vehicle with expired registration and for driving a vehicle with expired inspection stickers in a separate citation. Are these non-moving traffic violations considered criminal violations as a misdemeanor or are they like speeding or parking violations as a non-criminal summary offense? As a side note, the traffic dockets were recorded under the magisterial district courts and not in the criminal courts dockets. (Pittsburgh, PA)

A: These particular offenses are motor vehicle summary violations. If your docket number starts with “CR”, the charges are misdemeanors or felonies. If your docket starts with “TR”, the offense are summary motor vehicle offenses. If your docket starts with “NT” they are non-traffic summary offenses and usually criminal (Public Urination, Disorderly Conduct, Harassment, Public Drunkenness, etc.) Your hearing will be held in the Municipal Court Building, 2nd Floor, on 2nd Avenue, not in the Allegheny County Courthouse.

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