What To Do If You Receive A Traffic Ticket 


INTRODUCTION 
If you are issued a ticket for a non - criminal moving traffic violation in the five boroughs of New York City , it will be handled by a New York State Department of Motor Vehicles DMV Traffic Violations Bureau TVB. This allows courts in these areas to concentrate on criminal cases, including driving offenses, such as driving while intoxicated and driving while suspended or revoked aggravated unlicensed operation. However , TVBs do not handle parking violations. If you plead not guilty to a traffic ticket in one of these TVB areas , your case will be heard by a DMV Administrative Law Judge ALJ, an experienced attorney with special training in the Vehicle and Traffic Law. An ALJ has the authority to decide whether or not you are guilty and to set a fine if you are found guilty. An ALJ also has the authority to revoke or suspend your driver license and/or auto registration when required by law or when the ALJ believes it is in the interest of traffic safety. Just as in traffic courts in other areas of the state , you may present witnesses and evidence at a hearing before an ALJ and be represented by an attorney. 

IF YOU ARE ISSUED A TICKET 
Follow the instructions on the ticket for the plea you wish to make, and act promptly. If you don't answer the ticket in the time allowed , your driver license will be suspended. Later , you could be found guilty of the charge because of your failure to respond a default conviction. Your license would be suspended for not paying the fine and a judgment would be entered against you. Driving with a suspended license is a crime. A felony conviction may result in fines of up to $5,000, jail, probation, or confiscation of your vehicle. As the number of suspensions you have increases , the penalties also increase. A driver is suspended for ticket not answered and fine not paid. To Plead Not Guilty - Use the Traffic Ticket Pleas, Hearings and Payments online transaction [1] or

user: I have received a traffic ticket and would like to know what that implies.

user: How do I attend my hearing?

assistant:  Hearings are open to the public. If you want to know what the hearings are like, you can go to any hearing in any TVB office so you have an idea of how yours will be.

user: What would happen if the evidence against me is not clear?

assistant: You will be declared innocent.

user: I don't speak English very well and I don't understand it much either, what can I do?

assistant: You can bring an interpreter and inform the ALJ that he is there to help you.

user: I have hearing problems, will this be a problem during the hearing?

assistant: You must request an interpreter when you send your innocence statement and it will be assigned at no cost.

user: I want to postpone again the same ticket, what should I do?

assistant: At least one day before your hearing, make your request at the correct TVB office. Your request for a second must include a "good cause", which is the reason you want the hearing rescheduled. Your "good cause" is subject to approval by a TVB Administrative Law Judge.

user: What is the next step after all the evidence and testimonies have been given?

assistant: The ALJ will decide whether or not you are guilty. That decision will be based only on the evidence and testimony presented at the hearing and on what is established by law.