What Is a Bond and How Does It Work?
If you have been ticketed and want to know the answer to “what is a bond and how does it work,” you are not alone.
Most people think of bail bonds as part of the criminal justice system but are unfamiliar with how they work in traffic court. Essentially, this bond holds people financially accountable so that they will show up for their hearing. If you decide to contest your traffic ticket and schedule a hearing with a Traffic Violations Bureau (TVB), you may be required to pay a bond, although this is not always the case.
Typically, my clients decide to contest their ticket because of the impact a conviction will have on their driving record. New York has a point system that every driver must abide by. Anytime you receive a ticket, you could have points added to your record. This is not just for serious infractions like reckless driving, but also for things like following another car too closely or talking on your cell phone while driving.
The only way to try to keep points off of your driving record is to schedule a hearing and fight the charges.
When a Bond May Be Necessary
You may have to pay a bond in the following circumstances:
- If you want to reschedule your hearing for a new date
- Your license was suspended due to your failure to attend your TVB hearing, and you want to reinstate it pending your new hearing
Why You May Want to Pay for a New Hearing Date
In traffic court, you can post a forty dollar bond to receive a new hearing date. This may be in your best interest if your case is scheduled to go before a judge that may not be inclined to reduce the charges after hearing evidence.
As an experienced traffic lawyer, I am familiar with the temperament of local administrative law judges and understand which ones may be more inclined to listen to evidence with an open mind.
How Much Will I Have to Pay?
The bond is forty dollars per ticket, regardless of the type of ticket. If you were pulled over and given multiple tickets, one ticket for driving too fast and another for not having insurance, you would need to pay a bond for both tickets. There is a limit, however, of $160.
Will I Get the Bond Money Back?
That depends on what happens during your hearing. If you are found not guilty of the traffic violation or the tickets were dismissed, you can receive your bond money back.
You can request your forty dollar bond be refunded after your hearing by completing this form. Otherwise, if you are convicted of a traffic violation, you will have to pay the ticket and can get your money back at that time.
Get Help with Your Case
It’s common to not know the answer to “what is a bond and how does it work.” If you still have questions or need help with either a bond or a traffic ticket, contact the Law Office of James Medows. You can call or text your questions to 917-856-1247 or send an email to set a time for a free case evaluation.