NY Traffic Tickets Information
How serious are NY traffic tickets? Too many drivers think that the best way to deal with a citation is to drop a check in the mail.
The reality is that this is a bad decision. Paying a ticket is the same thing as pleading guilty. That conviction goes on your driving record, and it costs you.
Police are empowered to write tickets for hundreds of driving infractions. Some of the most common citations are for speeding, running a red light and a failure to yield right of way. Regardless of the reason, it's critical that drivers have an understanding of the penalties before pleading guilty.
In New York, most traffic tickets involve a fine. A minor infraction may carry a fine of $50 or $60. However, the more serious the violation is, or if it's a repeat violation, then the fine can easily cost $300 or more.
Add to this cost a nearly $100 surcharge and the potential for being charged the Driver Responsibility Assessment, or DRA, and it's clear that a ticket can be really expensive.
Unfortunately, the penalties don't end there. A conviction on most driving infractions will add two or more points to the motorist's record.
Anyone who gets too many points is in danger of having their driving privileges suspended, and that's a consequence that no one can afford.
Don't forget that pleading guilty on a ticket also can make your insurance rates skyrocket. Once your premiums are assessed at a higher rate, it can take a long time to get them back to a more reasonable amount.
Pleading guilty to a traffic ticket is serious. Before you do so, consider calling attorney James Lynch of TrafficTicketsNY.com. James is an experienced legal advocate who has helped countless drivers just like you fight the charges against them.
With an attorney's assistance, it may be possible to have the ticket reduced to a lower infraction or a non-moving violation. It even may be possible to have the ticket dismissed so that your driving record remains clear.
Speak to James Lynch today to learn more about your options.
Types of Traffic Tickets
These are among the most common moving violations. Keep in mind that the faster the police say you were going, the higher your fine will be. Plus, you'll have more points added to your record depending upon how fast you were allegedly traveling.
Did you know that using a cell phone while behind the wheel can get you a traffic ticket? While talking on the phone with hands-free technology is excepted, drivers may be ticketed if they have a cell phone in their hands while driving. It's an expensive penalty that you may be able to fight.
Driving privileges may be suspended for any number of reasons. It's certainly inconvenient, but being caught driving with a suspended license is even worse. With increased penalties and fines, you definitely want legal assistance in this situation.
State law requires that motorists move one full lane away from emergency and hazard vehicles that are pulled over to the side of the road and are using their flashing lights. However, this law is so strictly enforced that you may want to move over even for ordinary passenger vehicles.
Drivers who hold a CDL are held to a higher standard than the average motorist. When a CDL driver receives a ticket, it puts their livelihood at risk. If you can't afford to have your CDL suspended or revoked, then it just makes sense to talk to a traffic ticket attorney.
When a driver is involved in an accident that results in a personal injury or property damage, it is a serious matter. Leaving the scene of an accident without at least exchanging insurance information can lead to even more serious consequences, which may include jail time.
Whether motorists are caught by a red light camera or a police officer, violating a red light is a serious offense. In fact, it's the subject of most of the traffic tickets that are issued in NY. With the help of a lawyer, it may be possible to avoid the most serious consequences.
When a motorist is charged with reckless driving, it's generally far more serious than the usual citation. In fact, this charge is a criminal offense. A conviction can mean not only fines and points but also serving jail time and having a criminal record. This is not a charge that NY drivers should face alone.
Bus Lane Ticket
NY drivers frequently get frustrated by bus lanes. They figure that a transit lane just causes congestion elsewhere. However, when a motorist uses a bus lane and gets convicted of the infraction, they can be looking at a sizable fine. Contesting these tickets is possible with the help of a traffic ticket attorney.
Teenagers often are extremely excited about obtaining their driving privileges. Unfortunately, some of these young drivers don't take their responsibilities seriously, and others don't understand how their junior license or learner's permit is restricted. The result may be an expensive traffic ticket that results in fines and points and the possibility of a revocation.
Failure to Yield to Pedestrian
The police and courts take a dim view of motorists who fail to yield the right-of-way to pedestrians. Accordingly, the penalties for violating this law are particularly steep. If you can't afford the fines, surcharge, Driver Responsibility Assessment Fee and an increase in auto insurance rates, then you need to speak with a lawyer.
TLC License Suspension
If you are the driver of a taxi or limousine, how will your livelihood be affected if you receive a ticket? What happens if your TLC license gets suspended? It may be possible to take a TLC defensive driving class to reduce the number of points on your record. With an attorney, you may even be able to fight the charges.
Disobeyed Traffic Control Device
Being ticketed for disobeying a traffic control device is stressful. Whether the incident involves a pavement marking, sign or another device that's used to control traffic, it is smart to work with an attorney who may be able to get the charges against you reduced or dropped.
These criminal charges carry serious consequences that may ripple through every aspect of your life. You need an aggressive defense to help you fight the charges.
Parking Tickets
An everyday occurrence for many New Yorkers, parking tickets are nothing to laugh at. In fact, accumulating too many of these citations can lead to dire consequences. With the assistance of a lawyer, it's possible to defend yourself against these penalties so that you can avoid fines and the danger of having a boot placed on your vehicle.
Out of State Tickets
Don't assume that you can get out of a ticket just because you have an out of state driver's license. These motorists are subject to the same fines and surcharges, and they may be liable for suspension if they don't deal with the ticket. The NY DMV may have reciprocating relationships with the driver's state, and that can be bad news.