This Ticket Says Nothing About the Fine!
Many drivers that call our office find it odd that the New York Uniform Traffic Ticket (UTT) does not disclose the fine or points associated with the ticket they just received. Indeed, in New York State, it takes a little research to discover what might happen to you to, if you decide to plead guilty as charged. These posts will give you that information so you can understand the nature of your ticket.
To start, locate the section number and description of the charge as listed on your ticket. This information is in the left column under the heading:
"THE PERSON DESCRIBED ABOVE IS CHARGED AS FOLLOWS"
Fines are Not Definite, They are Within a Range
In the posts below, you will notice that the fines are quoted in minimum and maximum fine, for example, “0-$150” or "$90-$300". This is because all definite fine amounts are solely at the judge’s discretion within the identified range. And, for most fines, the judge must also impose a mandatory state surcharge.
For example, if you were ticketed on the Thruway for driving 86 mph in a 65 mph zone and pleaded guilty as charged, soon you could receive:
- A letter from the court stating that you owe a $300 fine (the range here is $90-$300) plus a $93 surcharge payable by money order or certified check and due in 30 days (most traffic courts do not have any online capabilities); and,
- A letter from the New York department of motor vehicles informing you that the speeding ticket you just pleaded guilty to was 6 points and therefore you owe $300. This $300, is called a “Driver Responsibility Assessment” and is in addition to the court fine. This assessment applies to all drivers no matter which state licensed the driver.
We hope that you avoid this situation and strongly advise you to never plead guilty to any traffic ticket without first consulting a lawyer. With our help, the letter from the court might only be asking for $150 and the second letter from the DMV would never come because we had the ticket reduced to no points.
How Traffic Reductions Work
We have included posts on points and fines for common reductions. A reduction occurs as a result of the plea bargaining with the prosecutor.
For example, the charge against you may be a speeding ticket, but after negotiations, or plea bargaining, with the prosecutor, your ticket might become a parking violation. The speeding ticket would be the original charge and the parking violation would be the “reduction” that you would plead guilty.
Securing reductions for clients is the primary method we have used to help thousands of drivers save money, decrease points, avoid suspensions, and prevent insurance premium increases.
Fines for Common Traffic Tickets and Other Helpful Information
Please select your charge: