Why You Should Hire an Attorney to Fight Your NYC Traffic Ticket

When you receive a traffic ticket in New York City you have two options, you may plead guilty or not guilty. In New York City you typically have 15 days to answer your traffic ticket.

Most moving violations issued in New York City contain points. If you plead guilty to your New York City traffic ticket, you automatically receive any points associated with the moving violation. Accumulating points on your license is problematic for many different reasons, including fines, possible suspensions, and increases in insurance premiums.

Hiring a traffic attorney may seem like an unnecessary expense but in the long run, it can save you time and money. Here are some reasons why you should consider hiring a traffic attorney to fight your ticket in New York City:

Answering Your Ticket

When you hire a traffic attorney you don’t have to worry about answering your ticket or scheduling yourself a hearing date. The first thing we do for clients is enter a not-guilty plea and schedule a hearing date. Not answering your ticket on time can lead to additional fees and eventually a suspended license.

Protecting Your Driving Record

Every time you are convicted of a moving violation, points accumulate on your driving record. Accumulation of points on your driving record can have severe consequences such as fines, surcharges, increased insurance premiums, and possible suspension/revocation of your license.

Every moving violation in New York City carries a different number of points. For example, Speeding tickets can carry 3-11 points, while NYC Redlight tickets carry 3 points. Your license may be suspended as you approach or exceed 11 points on your record. Your license will be suspended for conviction of three or more speeding summonses within 18 months.

Avoiding Fines & Fees

Fines and fees for moving violations in New York City can add up. If you are convicted of a moving violation there is a fine due to the DMV and possible surcharges or fees due as well.

Saving Time and Stress

Fighting a traffic ticket can be stressful and time-consuming. If you hire a traffic attorney, he or she will attend the hearing making your appearance unnecessary. The New York State DMV often in advance postpones hearing dates. By hiring an attorney, you ensure that your hearing dates will not be accidentally overlooked and that someone will represent you in court.

Avoiding Increased Insurance Premiums

One of the additional costs of a traffic ticket is the potential increase in your car insurance premiums. Even one single violation can cause your insurance premiums to increase. Insurance companies view guilty traffic violation convictions as indicators of risky driving. Hiring an attorney increases your chances of winning your case in court and avoiding any potential increases in your car insurance premiums.

Driver Responsibility Assessment

Another additional cost of accumulating points on your driver’s record is a Driver Responsibility Assessment. The Driver Responsibility Assessment is a fee that drivers must pay to the DMV if a driver accumulates 6 or more points on their record within 18 months. The purpose of the assessment fee is to prevent repeated behavior and improve traffic safety.

The assessment fee for receiving 6 points on your license within an 18-month period is $300. Drivers who receive any additional points on their license are also subject to an additional fee.

No Negotiations or Plea Bargaining

New York City traffic violations are not eligible for negotiation or plea bargaining. We have clients tell us all the time that they don’t mind paying any fines or fees associated with a traffic violation but want to avoid points at all costs. Unfortunately, the only way to avoid points, fines, and fees associated with a New York City traffic violation is by fighting the ticket in court successfully and getting a Not Guilty verdict or Dismissal. If you are Guilty points will be added to your license and you will have to pay fines and fees to the DMV. Hiring an experienced attorney gives you a better chance of avoiding any points, fines, and fees associated with your ticket.

Experience and Expertise

When hiring a traffic attorney, you are hiring them for their understanding of traffic court procedures and their knowledge of traffic laws in New York City. Our attorneys are familiar with the ins and outs of traffic court, they know which judges may be more lenient towards certain violations, which questions are more effective and more likely to lead to favorable outcomes, and more.

Attorney Michael Block has more than 35 years of experience fighting DMV and TLC traffic tickets in the State of New York. If you receive a TLC ticket or one for a moving violation, give yourself the best chance at protecting your license. Contact our office at 212-227-9008 and we will answer any questions about your ticket.

We also represent motorists and companies that receive tickets throughout New York State.