20 Simple Questions to Your Traffic Ticket Questions

20 Simple Questions to Your Traffic Ticket Questions

When you have a traffic ticket question that needs answering, what you are looking for is a simple answer. This is why this article, with the help of ny-defense.com, will try and do its best to give you honest, straightforward answers to some of your traffic ticket questions.

Will my ticket be dismissed?

Although it is your traffic lawyer’s main objective to get your traffic ticket dismissed, no attorney can guarantee that a case will be dismissed. Anyone who gives you a guarantee that they can get your traffic ticket dismissed is lying to you. However, when you hire ny-defense.com, you can rest assured that the team there has the skills and experience to identify any opportunities for dismissal, and if that is not an option, the team will seek the most favorable outcome, including ensuring you don’t get points added to your license.

What happens if I don’t pay for my ticket?

If you fail to respond to the traffic ticket within 60 days of the issuance, fail to appear for any scheduled trial, or fail to pay the fine imposed by the due date set by the court, the court will notify the DMV to suspend your driver’s license and/or registration.

What are the chances that the officer will show up in court?

One of the biggest myths out there is that police officers don’t show up in traffic court. However, it is important to note that this rarely happens. Most of the time, the issuing officer as far as your traffic ticket is concerned will show up as they are required by the law to do so when the case is set for trial.

What happens if the officer doesn’t show up?

In the unlikely scenario that the issuing officer in your case doesn’t show, don’t expect a dismissal either according to ny-defense.com. This is because in most cases, the judge may give the prosecution a continuance, dashing your hopes of getting a dismissal.

If I have to pay the court fines, will I still have to pay the price of the ticket as well?

When you receive a traffic ticket, one option is to plead guilty and pay the amount due on the ticket. If you choose to fight the ticket, you forego the opportunity to pay that amount. In court, your case can either be dismissed or you can be found guilty. If it is dismissed, you will not owe any money to the court. However, if you are found guilty or accept a lesser charge, you will likely owe court costs and possibly a fine; amounts that will not coincide with the original ticket amount.

Do I have to attend court?

It depends. In most cases when dealing with non-criminal traffic offenses, you won’t need to come to court if you hire a lawyer as they will attend court on your behalf and represent you. However, some judges require the defendant to appear in court. Also, if you are charged with a criminal offense, it is required that you appear in court. It is also recommended that you appear in court if you were involved in an accident as per ny-defense.com.

Do I need a lawyer for a traffic ticket?

Technically, you don’t need a lawyer for a traffic ticket. However, you are likely to get a better result when you hire a traffic ticket lawyer that you will get for yourself as lawyers not only understand the law and court procedures, they also have relationships with prosecutors and judges which they can leverage.

Will my insurance rates go up if I get a speeding ticket?

A speeding conviction or any other moving violation will add points to your New York driver’s license. Some violations can affect your insurance, especially since the law governing this issue is written confusingly, and insurance companies may not follow the law. It is, therefore, safer to keep your record as clean as possible, and the best way to do so is by hiring a good lawyer, like ny-defense.com.

What is court supervision?

Court supervision means that as long as you comply with the terms of the supervision, the traffic ticket will not appear on your driving record as a conviction. However, the terms of the supervision will vary which is something worth consulting your lawyer about.

If one of my traffic tickets is a misdemeanor, can I resolve the ticket by mail?

No. While this is a common misconception among many New York drivers, it is important to note that you must appear before the court in person. This is because a misdemeanor is a crime and can not generally be resolved by mail.

Can I resolve a traffic ticket infraction by telephone?

As outlined at ny-defense.com, no you can’t. You must either appear in person or by writing to the court where your case has been assigned.

Can my driver’s license be suspended if I’m licensed in another state?

If you are a licensed driver of another state, you should know that the state of New York has reciprocity with most other states and can notify the state where you are licensed that you have an unresolved ticket in New York State. Your state will then move to suspend your driver’s license.

What is the penalty for driving with a suspended license?

If you are driving with a suspended license, then if you are pulled over, a police officer can and will slap you with a ticket for Aggravated Unlicensed Operation (AUO) which is a misdemeanor grade offense in New York State that comes with a criminal record.

Will I be informed by the court of the status of my ticket?

No. It is your responsibility to ensure that all tickets have been resolved. Generally, you will receive only one notification of your court date, either verbal if you appear in person, or by mail if you respond by mail. If you have retained the services of an attorney like ny-defense.com, you should stay in contact with your attorney and you should contact the court to determine the status of your ticket if you have not been advised of any future court dates.

What will happen if I fail to notify the court of my address change?

If you fail to advise the court, in writing, of any change in your address, then the court won’t be able to notify you of any court dates. This, however, will not relieve you of the responsibility of resolving the ticket as the court can and will notify the DMV to suspend your driver’s license if you fail to appear or pay any fines as directed.

Will a trial be required?

For tickets issued in New York City, western Suffolk County, Rochester, and Buffalo, a trial or hearing is always required if you fight your NY traffic ticket. Most other law courts allow for plea bargaining or deals, and in these courts, you can get a deal so that your case doesn’t have to proceed to trial. Regardless of the court, hiring an attorney like ny-defense.com gives you the best possible chance of a good outcome.

How long do points stay on my record?

Points last for 18 months from the date of the offense. But insurance companies can use a conviction to increase your insurance premiums for up to 36 months from the date of conviction, hence why you should always look to fight traffic tickets that add points to your record.

How do I know if I have too many points?

As discussed at ny-defense.com, to find out if you have too many tickets, for each conviction, add up the number of points for 18 months before the date of the offense and 18 months after the date of offense. If you have 11 or more points during either one of these 18-month periods, then you have too many and your license is subject to suspension.

How can I reduce points?

Take a New York Driver Class. After you complete this program, you will get 4 points off of your driving record and get a 10% savings on your automobile insurance. This is one of the best ways to reduce points in your license.

What happens if I go to court myself?

It is difficult to predict what would happen if you choose to go to court without an attorney. If you are charged with a criminal offense, the judge will likely suggest that you come back on a later date with an attorney. Even if the judge were to allow you to defend yourself, likely, you will not get the same offer or opportunity as you would with a traffic ticket lawyer defending you.

If you have been handed a traffic ticket and want to discuss your options, then don’t hesitate to reach out to ny-defense.com for assistance.