Traffic Ticket Attorneys in New York

SUMMARY: Traffic Ticket Attorneys in New York

Since most people simply pay off their traffic tickets, you may wonder why you should hire a traffic ticket attorney; however, there are benefits to doing so. If you do feel the need for legal assistance, follow our tips for hiring a traffic ticket lawyer. An attorney can especially help you if you received a ticket in New York City, Buffalo, or Rochester. Understanding traffic ticket convictions in New York can also help you understand the importance of having good legal representation in your traffic ticket fight.

NOTE: The content of this website is intended solely for informational purposes. It is not a source of legal advice and should not be used as such.

The most common way people deal with a traffic ticket is by paying it. By paying your ticket, you are pleading guilty to the traffic violation and accepting a conviction for the offense. When you consider the fines associated with a ticket and the consequences of a traffic violation conviction, you may find it beneficial to fight your traffic ticket.

New York handles traffic tickets uniquely in comparison to several other states. Proceedings for traffic ticket cases can be confusing. A good traffic ticket attorney can help you through the confusion and be a powerful weapon in your fight.

Why Hire a Traffic Ticket Attorney?

New York traffic ticket lawyers have the experience and legal knowledge to represent you in court or administrative hearings and help:

  • Get your case dismissed and charges against you dropped.
  • Reduce your fines.
  • Reduce your penalties.
  • Reduce the charges against you.
  • Avoid having your driver's license suspended or revoked.

Tips for Hiring a Traffic Ticket Lawyer

With so many choices available to you, hiring the right traffic ticket attorney can be tricky.

Follow these tips to help you with your choice of lawyer:

  • Comparison shop—Try not to simply hire the first lawyer you see. Most traffic ticket attorneys will give you a free consultation where you can learn more about them and their rates. The more attorneys you interview, the better chance you will find the right lawyer for you at the right rate.
  • Stay local—If possible, hire an attorney who knows the area where the offense allegedly occurred and who knows the local court and administrative systems.
  • Find someone you trust—Not only will you need to trust your attorney to represent you to the best of her ability, you will also have to share some personal information with her. Make sure you hire someone with whom you can speak candidly.

Traffic Tickets in New York City, Buffalo, and Rochester

If you receive a non-criminal moving violation in New York City, the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) and its Traffic Violations Bureau (TVB) will handle your ticket.

Should you choose to fight your ticket, an Administrative Law Judge will hear your case. A traffic ticket lawyer can represent you in this hearing.

If your ticket was written in any other city within the state, the local court system will handle your case.

Traffic Ticket Convictions in New York

To get a better idea of how a traffic ticket attorney can help, it is important to understand the possible consequences of a traffic violation conviction.

In New York, a traffic violation conviction can lead to:

  • Points on your driving record.
  • Driver's license suspension.
  • An increase in car insurance rates.

Points

Most traffic violation convictions in New York will add points to your driving record. An accumulation of 11 points or more within 18 months will result in revocation or suspension of your driver's license.

Your traffic ticket attorney will work to keep violation points off of your driving record.

You can learn more about New York's point system by visiting our DMV Point System in New York page.

Suspensions

Certain violation convictions can lead to a driver's license suspension or revocation, regardless of the amount of points you have on your record.

According to the NYS DMV, in addition to points, some of the most common reasons driver's licenses are suspended are:

  • Speeding – Conviction of 3 speeding violations within 18 months will result in the revocation of your driver's license for at least 6 months
  • Misdemeanor traffic violations – Conviction of 3 misdemeanor traffic violations within 18 months will also result in a driver's license revocation for at least 6 months
  • Conviction of 2 moving violations within the new driver probation period of 6 months after your passed road test.
    • NOTE: Just 1 cell phone violation (including texting) will result in a suspension for 120 days.

If you are at risk of losing your license, you should strongly consider hiring a traffic ticket lawyer to help you protect your driver's license.

Car Insurance Rates

One of the biggest impacts a traffic ticket can have is on your insurance rates. A single traffic violation conviction can result in an increase of hundreds of dollars in your car insurance premium.

Keep in mind that in order to drive your car in New York, you must have car insurance.

Your traffic ticket lawyer will work to keep convictions off your record and keep your car insurance rates low.

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