Things to know about New York traffic tickets

On Behalf of | Jul 12, 2022 | Uncategorized

If a New York police officer pulls you over, you might wind up dealing with a traffic court in the jurisdiction of the city, county or township where the stop took place. If you receive a ticket in New York City, the Traffic Violations Bureau will process it. Throughout the rest of the state, however, criminal court or traffic court processes these tickets.  

Regardless of the exact location where your traffic stop took place, if a patrol officer wrote you a ticket, there will be instructions on the back of it. You’re obligated to follow those, and to do so within the time frame stated in the instructions. If you have a specific question about your ticket or the instructions, you’re permitted to contact the traffic court, directly. 

Your license is at risk if you fail to answer your ticket 

In accordance with New York traffic laws, if the date listed on your ticket comes and goes, and you have not answered your ticket, the court will undoubtedly suspend your license. Having a suspended driver’s license can cause all sorts of stress and complications in your daily life, especially if you typically drive to and from your workplace. It’s a criminal offense to operate a motor vehicle if you have a suspended license. 

How do you get your license back? 

While the driver’s license suspension associated with failing to answer a traffic ticket is temporary, there are several steps you must take to restore your driving privileges. First and foremost, you must answer the ticket in question. After that, you must also pay a fee to lift the suspension.  

Should you fight a traffic ticket? 

Many New York drivers decide to fight traffic tickets in court. If your ticket is for speeding, you might decide to do the same. If you have had a spotless driving record up to now, you’ll want to be aware that, if you pay it, it will show up on your driving record and remain there for several years. If someone successfully fights a traffic ticket, it disappears from his or her record. 

If the police officer who issued your speeding ticket can’t show evidence from a radar gun, it may be possible to have your case dismissed. The judge overseeing your case might also decide to hand down a dismissal if the police officer who wrote the speeding ticket doesn’t show up for court. If you’re unsure whether fighting your ticket is a good idea, you might want to seek guidance from someone who has experience navigating the traffic court system. 

Archives