HomeAbout UsContact UsCity CouncilDepartmentsServicesJobsPublic SafetyEducationPhoto Gallery ROCHESTER TRAFFIC VIOLATIONS AGENCY Contact Us Address 200 E. Main St. Suite B-002 Rochester, NY 14604 Phone Number 585-428-6555 Email RTVA@cityofrochester.gov Hours Monday-Friday 8:30 am - 4:30 pm In person payments accepted until 4:15 pm On-line payments accepted any time through nCourt Parking Tickets: To pay a parking ticket or make another on-line payment visit www.cityofrochester.gov/payments Rochester Traffic Violations Agency – OPENED APRIL 23, 2018 – 200 E. Main Street, Suite B-002, Rochester NY, 14604. Since April 23, 2018, the City of Rochester Traffic Violations Agency is adjudicating traffic infractions in violation of the New York State Vehicle and Traffic Law. About the City of Rochester Traffic Violations Agency “Under the current system (Former Rochester Traffic Bureau), if you can’t pay your traffic ticket, people lose their licenses, which restricts their ability to access jobs, safe and vibrant neighborhoods and quality educational opportunities. These fines compound, causing legal problems for the individual and perpetuating the cycle of poverty. In other words, it’s a crime to be poor,” Mayor Lovely A. Warren. (New release Thursday, June 2, 2016) The Rochester Traffic Violations Agency (RTVA) assists the Rochester City Court in administering and disposing of certain traffic infractions. The agency operates under the direction and control of Mayor Lovely A. Warren. Most traffic infractions that occur in the City of Rochester will be handled by the RTVA. Some specific traffic infractions will be handled in Rochester City Court. The Department of Motor Vehicles Traffic Violations Bureau will no longer address moving violations. Notifications are being sent to motorists with pending trial and/or hearing dates by the Department of Motor Vehicles Traffic Violations Bureau indicating their hearings will be rescheduled. Motorists will receive new appearance dates from the Rochester Traffic Violations Agency. The City of Rochester offers qualifying motorists the option of pleading down their tickets for moving violations and, or equipment violations. It is anticipated the RTVA will dispose of more than 34,000 tickets annually. 1. Answering a Ticket If you were issued a non-criminal Uniform Traffic Ticket for a moving violation in the City of Rochester, it will be handled by the Rochester Traffic Violations Agency. To avoid waiting in line, it is encouraged that you plea by mail. TO PLEAD GUILTY: It is in your best interest to plead not guilty and see what, if any offer the Prosecutor will make. However, if you wish to plead guilty then read the instructions on your ticket and sign Section “A” of the ticket. Fill in the requested information and mail it to: Rochester Traffic Violations Agency 200 East Main Street, Suite B-002 Rochester, NY 14614 After receiving your guilty plea a fine will be imposed and you will be notified by mail of the fine amount and payment due date. If you don't answer the ticket in the time allowed, your driver’s license will be suspended. Later, you could be found guilty by default because of your failure to respond. Failure to pay would result in license suspension for not paying the fine and a judgment would be entered against you. If your mailing address is different from the address written on the front of the ticket, please write the correct mailing address in the space provided on the ticket. TO PLEAD NOT GUILTY: Read the instructions on your ticket and sign Section “B” of the ticket. Fill in the requested information and mail it to: Rochester Traffic Violations Agency 200 East Main Street, Suite B-002 Rochester, NY 14614 After receiving you’re not guilty plea your case and driving history will be reviewed and the Traffic Prosecutor may authorize a reduced plea offer by mail. If you want to discuss the particulars of your case you may also request a conference with the Traffic Prosecutor. If a plea cannot be offered or you do not wish to accept the plea, you will be scheduled for a trial before a Judicial Hearing Officer. The original plea offer will not be available at trial. If you don't answer the ticket in the time allowed, your driver’s license will be suspended. Later, you could be found guilty by default because of your failure to respond. Failure to pay would result in a license suspension for not paying the fine and a judgment would be entered against you. If your mailing address is different from the address written on the front of the ticket, please write the correct mailing address in the space provided on the ticket. 2. Payment After a plea of guilty to the original charge or an agreed upon reduced plea offer, a fine will be ordered by the agency. Fines must be paid on or before the payment due date. Timely payments may be made in several ways: In Person/Dropbox/Google Pay/Apple Pay Fines can be paid in person at: Rochester Traffic Violations Agency 200 East Main Street, Suite B-002 Rochester, NY 14614 By Mail Fines can be paid by remitting payment to: Rochester Traffic Violations Agency 200 East Main Street, Suite B-002 Rochester, NY 14614 Made payable to: Rochester City Treasurer Online Online payments can be made using a credit or debit card by visiting www.paycourtonline.com. Please have your ticket number or case number available (service charges apply). You can only pay online once you have ANSWERED your ticket and entered a plea of guilty to a charge. www.cityofrochester.gov/payments By Phone Payments can be made using a credit or debit card by calling 888-912-1541. Please have your ticket number or case number available (service charges apply). You can only pay over the phone once you have ANSWERED your ticket and entered a plea of guilty to a charge. Important Additional Information Failure to pay would result in license suspension 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. Please be advised that all suspension lift fees must be paid in cash or money order. Suspension lift fees are $70 per suspended ticket. Your suspended license will be restored only once the suspension lift fee has been paid and you have paid any outstanding fines. 3. Trials If you request a trial, your case will be heard by a Judicial Hearing Officer, an experienced judge with special training in the Vehicle & Traffic Law. Just as in traffic courts in other areas of the state, the Traffic Prosecutor will elicit testimony from the law enforcement officer who issued your traffic ticket(s) and you may present witnesses and evidence at your trial. You have a right to be represented by an attorney at all stages. A Judicial Hearing Officer has the authority to decide whether or not you are guilty and to set a fine if you are found guilty. A Judicial Hearing Officer also has the authority to revoke or suspend your driver’s license when required by law or when the Judicial Hearing Officer believes it is in the interest of traffic safety. If you don't appear for trial, your driver’s license will be suspended and you could be found guilty by default because of your failure to respond. Failure to pay would result in license suspension for not paying the fine and a judgment would be entered against you. Time & Location Traffic trials are held: Tuesday and Thursday. 9:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. Check in times are 8:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. Trials are held at: Rochester Traffic Violations Agency 200 East Main Street, Suite B-002 Rochester, NY 14614 If You Are Scheduled for Trial If you are scheduled for a trial, you must appear on the date and time listed on the trial notice you received. Bring your trial notice with you including any evidence or witnesses necessary for your case. Photo ID is required. Please allow yourself ample travel time in order to find parking and to pass through security. You may be required to pass through a metal detector when entering the building. Cell phones must be turned off at all times. Don’t forget to bring quarters and dollar bills for the parking meters. Failure to appear may result in a Default Conviction. 4. Traffic Prosecutor The City of Rochester Traffic Prosecutor serves the agency by prosecuting traffic violations. The Traffic Prosecutor will discuss the particulars of your case at a conference if requested and conduct the traffic trial if one is scheduled. At the traffic trial the Traffic Prosecutor will question the law enforcement officer as well as you if you decide to testify. Defense attorneys are encouraged to contact the prosecutor by mail or fax at 585-428-7225. 5. License Suspension "Scofflaw" Your license may be suspended if you fail to answer your ticket, fail to appear in court, and/or fail to pay your fine. Your suspended license will only be restored once the suspension lift fee(s) have been paid and you have paid any outstanding fines. Please be advised that all suspension lift fees must be paid in cash. The Rochester Traffic Violations Agency is located at 200 East Main Street, Suite B-002 and is open to the public Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. (closed on holidays). 6. Appeal After a Guilty Verdict You have a right to appeal a traffic violation conviction and sentence within the timelines set by law. The Rochester Traffic Violations Agency appeal process is governed by the Criminal Procedure Law. Appeals must be made through a superior court and are not made directly through the agency. The agency cannot assist you in the appeals process. Our clerks are not permitted to give you legal advice. An individual who needs legal assistance may contact the Monroe County Bar Association at (585) 546-1718 for referral to a private attorney. You may also seek guidance at the Seventh Judicial District Help Center, located at the Hall of Justice, 99 Exchange Blvd., 5th Floor, Room 525, Rochester, NY 14614. Rochester Traffic Violations Agency Appeals Guide Rochester Traffic Violations Agency Appeal Forms If you would like to file an Appeal, it is strongly encouraged that you consult an attorney. However, you have the right to file an Appeal pro se, which means ‘without an attorney.’ More information can be found at NY Court Help. 7. Default Convictions What is a Default Conviction? A default conviction is filed against a defendant-motorist when he/she fails to appear for a scheduled trial. When a defendant-motorist fails to appear as scheduled, maximum fines and surcharges allowed by law are assessed and a default conviction is recorded and transmitted to New York State Department of Motor Vehicles. Can I Request a Default Conviction to be reopened? MOTION TO VACATE DISPOSITION APPLICATION FEE A non-refundable $75 Motion to Vacate Disposition Application fee is required to file an application to vacate a default conviction. (Cash, money order, bank check only) You may request a default conviction be vacated and the case reopened. Return the form by mail or in person along with the $75 non-refundable Motion to Vacate Disposition fee. The form must be filled out in its entirety or your application will not be considered. You must present a meritorious defense. (A defense that is worthy of consideration based on facts.) The Motion to Vacate Disposition fee must be enclosed with your application or your application will not be considered. Personal checks are not acceptable for payment of the Motion to Vacate Disposition fee. If your application is denied, the Motion to Vacate Disposition fee will not be refunded. Upon receipt of your application and administrative processing fee, your matter will be scheduled before a Judicial Hearing Officer to determine whether the disposition will be vacated. You will be required to appear before the Judicial Hearing Officer. The Judicial Hearing Officer will consider properly submitted requests on a case-by-case basis and according to applicable law. Only original forms will be accepted--no photocopies. Our clerks are not permitted to give you legal advice. The agency cannot assist you in filling out the forms. An individual who needs legal assistance may contact the Monroe County Bar Association at (585) 546-1718 for referral to a private attorney. You may also seek guidance at the Seventh Judicial District Help Center, located at the Hall of Justice, 99 Exchange Blvd., 5th Floor, Room 525, Rochester, NY 14614. 8. Scofflaw What is a Scofflaw? A Scofflaw is filed against a defendant-motorist when he/she fails to timely answer a ticket. The Scofflaw/Default Judgment is recorded and transmitted to New York State Department of Motor Vehicles. 9. Tickets Issued Before April 21, 2018 All tickets that have been adjudicated, closed, or suspended prior to April 21, 2018, must be answered to the DMV in Albany, NY. You may pay these tickets: Online By telephone: 518-474-0941 (#3, #2, #3) or 518-473-5595 By mail: Traffic Violations Division Plea Unit P.O. Box 2950-ESP Albany, NY 12220-0950 For more information, please visit the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles. 10. Adjournments TO ADJOURN YOUR CONFERENCE: If you have been scheduled for a prosecutor conference, you may request your conference to be postponed and rescheduled to a different date. The agency must receive your request at least 2 business days before the date of the conference. You may also make your postponement request in person at that office, also at least 2 business days prior to the conference date. Any further adjournments will be considered and granted at the sole discretion of the Agency. Your request for a second or subsequent postponement also must include a "good cause," which is the reason you want the conference rescheduled. Your "good cause" is subject to approval by the agency. TO ADJOURN YOUR TRIAL: You may request your trial to be postponed and rescheduled to a different date. This may be done one time and one time only. The agency must receive your request in writing at least 10 days before the date of your trial. You may also make your postponement request in person at that office, also at least 10 days prior to your trial date. Your request must include "good cause" for your trial to be postponed. Your “good cause” is subject to approval by the Judicial Hearing Officer. The agency must receive notice of your request at least 10 days before the date of the trial. No second requests for adjournments shall be considered by the agency. 11. Dismissals on Proof EQUIPMENT: Most equipment violations may be dismissed if repaired by 1/2 hour after sundown on the following business day after the violation was issued. To prove such a repair within the required time frame, this Equipment Correction Form must be filled out and signed by a police officer or a DMV approved inspection station mechanic. The affidavit must be completely filled out and submitted with your plea. You MUST KEEP a COPY of the affidavit in case it is lost in the mail or otherwise. If you are unable to produce an affidavit or copy of the affidavit, the summons will not be dismissed. INSURANCE: If you are charged with an insurance violation, you may provide proof that the vehicle was insured on the date the violation was issued. Proof of insurance may only be considered by providing a letter from the Insurance Company (not an insurance broker). The letter must provide specific information and most insurance companies know what to put in the letter. Insurance cards, policies, etc. are NOT acceptable as proof of insurance, only a specific letter as indicated is acceptable. If the letter is sufficient to prove the vehicle was insured on the date in question, no fine or surcharge will be imposed. The maximum fines for uninsured vehicles can be up to $1500 and carries an $88 surcharge. A plea of guilty or conviction for uninsured vehicle will also carry a civil penalty of $750 from the Department of Motor Vehicles as well as the revocation of your driver's license for one year. INSPECTION: Summonses for uninspected vehicles may NOT be cured by getting the vehicle inspected. If the vehicle was not inspected at the time the summons was issued, there is no way to correct said violation. REGISTRATION: Summonses for unregistered vehicles may NOT be cured by getting the vehicle registered. If the vehicle was not registered at the time the summons was issued, there is no way to correct said violation. Additional Information The Rochester Traffic Violations Agency was created through collaborative efforts of the city and state lawmakers. The goal of the RTVA is to support the City of Rochester’s Vision Statement and its Values and Guiding Principles to enhance public safety through equitable enforcement of traffic infractions. The Rochester Traffic Violations Agency is authorized under New York State General Municipal Law Article 14-B, Section 370, and established in the Rochester City Charter under Section C-6-141. SEE ALSO Code Enforcement, Quality of Life | Downtown MAY WE SUGGEST Online Payment Portal First Inaugural Address of Rochester Mayor Lovely A. 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