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Manhattan Traffic Ticket Lawyer

There’s no reason to give in after you’ve received a ticket. A Manhattan traffic ticket attorney can help you fight back.

As much as you may try, avoiding getting into legal trouble while you’re behind the wheel can be difficult. Being issued a ticket for a traffic violation in Manhattan is, unfortunately, incredibly common. But just because you’ve been given a citation doesn’t mean you’ll have to pay the fine.

Many people make the mistake of thinking a citation means a conviction, but you do have a chance to fight back. After all, you’re not proven guilty of the charges until you’ve had your chance to defend yourself, but paying the fine immediately is the same as a guilty plea.

By law, you have the right to fight the charges. But doing so without legal representation can be a challenging endeavor. Luckily, a Manhattan traffic ticket lawyer from our team at the Law Office of James Medows is here to help. With our assistance, you’ll be equipped to mitigate your penalties and move forward.

Examples of Traffic Tickets in Manhattan

As a responsible driver, you likely do everything you can to adhere to the rules of the road and maintain a standard of safety while you’re behind the wheel. However, there’s no denying that the rules you have to follow are endless, and it can be difficult to keep up with them all.

That’s why it’s easy to find yourself faced with a Manhattan moving violation without even realizing what it is that you did wrong. It’s important to understand what is considered a moving violation. Some examples of traffic violations include the following:

It’s easy to make a small mistake that turns into serious consequences in the form of a traffic ticket—a big bill to pay, at the very least. When there are so many ways to make a misstep, getting pulled over or setting off a traffic camera can happen to you no matter how careful you are. Regardless of your circumstances, our firm can help.

Penalties for Manhattan Traffic Tickets

These may seem like minor infractions that will have minimal effects on your life. Often, however, that notion couldn’t be further from the truth. Many penalties and subsequent ramifications can come from being convicted of a moving violation in Manhattan, and failing to fight these charges could lead to serious upheaval in your life.

Paying the traffic ticket up front is like pleading guilty. No matter how minor it may seem at first, a ticket does have consequences, and even the smaller issues can cause serious problems you wouldn’t have without these penalties.

Short-Term Effects of Manhattan Traffic Tickets

To start, there’s the obvious frustration that comes from receiving a fine when you’re given a ticket. These fines can be quite costly, and depending on your current situation, they could put your bank account in a serious bind.

After all, the expenses of driving are high. Not only do you need to pay for gas and upkeep, but you’re also required by state law to meet insurance requirements to keep your license. When you top this with the expenses of daily life, adding any traffic fines can cause a strain on your finances.

Long-Term Penalties from Traffic Tickets

Then there are the ramifications that can affect your life in a long-term way. The New York Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) has a system in place to monitor and control drivers it deems reckless or dangerous. DMV officials do this by using a point system. Essentially, for each traffic conviction you receive on your record, you’ll be given a number of points on your license. If you hit or exceed eleven points on your license within a year and a half, it will be suspended.

Some infractions will lead to an immediate suspension. For instance, driving forty miles over the speed limit will automatically put eleven points on your license—essentially an automatic suspension. A police officer may also write you up for multiple infractions at once. Let’s say you were talking on the phone and didn’t stop for a school bus. Already, your license is in jeopardy over a single traffic stop.

A suspended license can make many areas of your life more difficult. Depending on where you live, getting to work, dropping the kids off at school, or even going to the grocery store can require a valid drivers license.

How Traffic Tickets Affect Insurance

Unfortunately, the subsequent fallout of receiving a traffic ticket doesn’t stop with fines and points on your drivers license. A ticket also has the potential to affect your insurance rates. While most people focus on the fines, insurance companies will take note when you have points on your record.

When you are given a Manhattan traffic ticket, the incident is included on your driving record. Insurance companies use your driving record to determine your monthly premiums. Insurers consider drivers with more points on their record to be more reckless and may raise your premiums as a result. This could end up costing you for years to come.

If you’ve received any points on your license, your insurance company will note your infractions, especially if they are within the past eighteen months (although some insurers use different time frames). Some insurers have specific methods of calculating what difference this will make to your premiums, but chances are they’ll be higher.

This will make it difficult to maintain your insurance or change your plan. When auto insurers assume you are reckless because you have a traffic ticket on your record, you’ll end up paying for it. Instead of letting these consequences build up, speak to a traffic ticket lawyer in Manhattan about fighting your ticket and keeping those points and their consequences as far away from you as possible.

Why Hire a Manhattan Traffic Lawyer?

If you’re concerned about the damage a traffic ticket can do to your life, you need to act fast to get your ticket dismissed or your charge reduced. Taking your ticket seriously is important, and taking shortcuts can cost you. A qualified and experienced traffic ticket attorney from our firm won’t take any shortcuts as we fight to defend your driving record.

Going Without a Traffic Attorney Can Hurt You

If you understand all the potential trouble you could face, you’re probably eager to take your ticket to traffic court to try to avoid these ramifications. However, attempting to do so by yourself could make things more complicated.

It’s incredibly easy to accidentally say the wrong thing when giving a statement, especially in high-pressure situations like court. Saying the wrong thing could lead to the charges being upheld, which will only mean wasted time and additional costs from court fees.

To avoid such a situation, hiring a traffic ticket attorney in Manhattan is crucial. We will handle all paperwork, negotiations, statements, and communications on your behalf. This will ensure your case is free of any incriminating statements, giving you a good chance of beating your ticket.

We’ll Handle Your Traffic Ticket Case

Aside from the possible legal pitfalls of representing yourself in traffic court, there are time and convenience factors to consider. If you’re like most Manhattan residents, you lead a busy life. You barely have time to sleep, so how are you going to find the time to thoroughly investigate your case as you build a bulletproof defense?

You’re not going to have the time. Seeking out evidence, interviewing witnesses, and crafting a personalized defense take substantial time—not to mention legal knowledge and experience. You may find that, for you, these resources are in short supply. But the attorneys at our firm have them in spades.

Winning Defenses for Tickets in Manhattan

You may be wondering how exactly your attorney will be able to help as you present your defense. Depending on the unique circumstances you find yourself in, your lawyer may utilize one of many common defense strategies to help prove your innocence in traffic court.

With a successful defense strategy, your attorney should be able to either get your charges reduced or have them thrown out completely. Some examples of defense strategies your attorney may use to fight your Manhattan traffic ticket include the following:

  • Bad Evidence – We may argue that evidence presented by the officer who issued your ticket was inaccurate or misrepresentative. While minor mistakes, such as a misspelled name, likely won’t count, we can review the evidence for larger issues.
  • Mistake of Fact – We might suggest that there was no way for you to know you were breaking the law. This is also known as a mistake of fact. An example of this might be if you were driving in the wrong direction down a one-way street, but there weren’t any signs in the area to let you know.
  • Necessary Actions – It’s possible to prove that your actions were necessary to maintain your safety. For example, you might have had to speed to get around another vehicle because you believed the driver was intoxicated.
  • Maintaining Safety – We could also attempt to prove that your actions were necessary to maintain the safety of others. For example, if you had to swerve unexpectedly to avoid a collision with another car, you might be off the hook for your reckless driving violation.

Manhattan Traffic Ticket FAQ

If you have questions, we have the answers. Dealing with a traffic ticket can be complex, so don’t hesitate to ask when you’re confused. Get in touch with us for the answers to any questions you don’t see below.

How many points will I get on my license for speeding in Manhattan?

The number of points you could receive will depend on how fast you were going. If you don’t fight your ticket, you could receive anywhere from three to eleven points. Keep in mind that eleven points will trigger an automatic license suspension.

What is a red light camera violation in Manhattan?

If you’ve received this type of ticket, you’re being accused of speeding or running a red light because of footage a state-installed camera in Manhattan captured when you drove by. A Manhattan traffic ticket defense lawyer can help you fight this type of violation.

Is it possible to reduce the number of points on my license from traffic tickets?

In some cases, it is possible. You will have to take a driving course that is approved by the state, which can help prevent a license suspension. However, it’s likely best to work with us to reduce or dismiss the charges and keep your record clean.

Let a Manhattan Traffic Ticket Attorney Defend You

If you have been accused of a traffic violation and aren’t sure how to proceed, contact our team at the Law Office of James Medows. We will work with you to determine the best approach to get your moving violation dismissed or have its severity reduced.

It’s easy to make a wrong move that leaves you still dealing with your traffic ticket, and that will put a strain on every other part of your life. If you’re concerned about your ticket, then, giving us a call before you pay or go to court can give you the help you need to avoid fees and points.

Give us a call today at 917-856-1247 to schedule an initial consultation with a Manhattan traffic ticket lawyer. You may also fill out our online contact form at the bottom of the page.


Law Office of James Medows

Description: Wow James and his team are truly the best!!! Reduced a 6 point hit to my license to a parking ticket which we all know has no points. Saved me a good amount of money on insurance for sure! I highly recommend this law office! Expect professionals and a staff who will seriously do everything they can to help you. Call them with confidence!

Gary C