“I got a traffic ticket! How do I fight it?”

One of the most frequently asked questions from our clients is, “Can you get me no points?  I don’t mind paying a fine.  I just don’t want the points on my license.”

This is a valid question as too many points could lead to a license suspension, increase in insurance premiums and hefty fines.  While we always fight for the best possible outcome, clients need to be aware how different courts work and why we can’t always negotiate points.

When you decide to fight a ticket in the state of New York, you should be aware that there are 2 types of courts and different ways of fighting tickets in both courts.

1) The Town, Village, or County Courts in Long Island and Upstate New York allow for plea bargaining (or negotiating points and violation.)

2) The TVB—Traffic Violations Bureau will only allow a win-or-lose situation with no negotiation of points or violation type.

Town, Village or County Court

In many parts of Long Island, and throughout Upstate New York, an attorney can fight the violation type as well as lower the points for the offense.  For example, if you receive a speeding ticket in Westchester, Rockland, or Long Island, an attorney can reduce the points on the violation depending on the speed charged and the court. The speed can be reduced to a lower speed, a non-speed point violation, or a violation with a fine and no points.

TVB—Traffic Violations Bureau

There is a lot of confusion about NYC courts as many of our clients say they’re willing to pay a fine as long as they don’t receive points, but there are point negotiations in the city.  If you are fighting a ticket in New York City, it’s likely that your ticket will be handled at a TVB—Traffic Violations Bureau.  If you wish to plead Not Guilty there will be a hearing with the police officer present.  The TVB will not allow for plea bargains or negotiations to lower the points or lower the violation type.  At a TVB court you can only plead guilty or not guilty.  If you receive a speeding ticket or any other moving violation, you can be found not guilty with no fine or points, or you will be found guilty and have points and a fine assessment.  Locations for TVB include: Brooklyn, Bronx, Manhattan, Staten Island and Queens.

Regardless of where you receive a ticket and the type of court handling your case, the possibility of a positive outcome increases when you hire a traffic ticket attorney.  If you have a moving violation that you’d like to fight call us at (212) 227-9008 or email us at michaelblock.law@gmail.com for free information on how we can defend your ticket.