Navigating the NY Traffic Court System: What You Need to Know
It can take some time to understand the NY traffic court system, especially if you’re a relatively new driver. If you’ve never received a traffic ticket before, being handed one for the first time can leave you panicking. However, there may be various steps you can take to keep the consequences to a minimum. Here are some of the most important steps to take if you want to make sense of the NYC traffic court system and get the best outcome possible.
Get to Grips with the Basics
One of the first things you need to find out is who you’re likely to be dealing with if you’ve been involved in a violation. In NYC, non-criminal traffic violations are adjudicated in the Traffic Violations Bureau (TVB). This is a division of the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). It handles a wide range of traffic infractions and these include speeding tickets and red light violations to give just two examples.
Find out How to Respond to a Ticket
Once you have received a traffic ticket, you can respond by simply pleading guilty and paying the fine. If you think the ticket is unfair, you could plead not guilty and contest it in court. Another option is to ask for a hearing via mail. Make sure you know what the deadlines for responding are. If you miss a deadline, it’s likely that you’ll face further penalties. Do not simply ignore the ticket as the consequences can be catastrophic.
Learn How to Contest a Ticket
If you decide to contest a ticket, a court date will be set. Make sure you’ve gathered enough evidence to support your case, such as relevant evidence and paperwork. Don’t overlook anything that you might need for your defense. Evidence can come in the form of statements from witnesses, photographs, or vehicle maintenance records.
Understand the Consequences
Think carefully about what the consequences of contesting a ticket could be if you don’t have a strong case. If you lose, you may face additional fines, penalties, and court costs. A legal expert may help you come to a decision.
Find out How to Appeal
If the outcome of your case is not what you’d hoped for, you could appeal. You may be able to ask a higher court or administrative body to review the decision. This can be a complex and time-consuming process, so it’s best to get more advice from a legal expert before you go ahead.
Get the Right Legal Assistance
If you do want to challenge a decision, it’s very wise to talk to a qualified traffic lawyer who can provide all the advice you need and let you know whether it’s worth going ahead.
At MyTicketsNYC, we provide expert legal assistance to help you navigate the New York State traffic court system. We have an outstanding track record of success when it comes to getting tickets dismissed, reducing points, and preventing insurance surcharges.
