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Seat Belts Tickets: Officer Observation and Testimony is Enough

by Seth Azria on 1/02/2024

To be pulled over, it is enough for a police officer to observe the driver or passenger not wearing a seat belt. People v. Smith, 158 A.D.3d 1081 (4th Dep't 2018).

To be convicted of the seat belt charge, it is enough for the officer to testify that he saw the driver or passenger fail to wear a seat belt. Of, course the driver will testify that he was wearing a seat belt. This creates and issue of credibility for the judge to decide. In Whitten the judge decided in officer’s favor and convicted the driver. Whitten v. Martinez, 24 A.D.3d 285 (1st Dep't 2005).

However, a person wearing belt, under the arm rather than over the shoulder is "restrained" and therefore permissible within the meaning of the law. People v. Locke, 1 Misc. 3d 482, 765 N.Y.S.2d 468 (City Ct. 2003).

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Super efficient process with outstanding results. I received regular updates via email with clear instructions and expectations. Best of all, the results exceeded expectations - great reduction in my fine for speeding with zero points.

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I received a speeding violation back in December 2020 and is now dismissed. Seth Azria and firm has done an excellent job in getting the ticket dismissed successfully. The entire staff has been very professional, quick and responsive. I really appreciate their service and give them a 5 star. I would be happy to refer them to my friends.

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David and his office did a great job in getting two speeding violations both over 25 reduced. They are very professional and although they make no guarantees after speaking with David I was confident a reduction was possible. 
David's assistant Shannon did a great job keeping me up to date during the process. 
Highly recommended.

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Multiple times working with David and Seth

Without being too specific regarding my actual cases I'd like to tell anyone out there that David and Seth are both amazing lawyers who care about their clients. They have both gone to bat for myself and my now wife...multiple times, with more than expected results each and every time. Again, without being too open about matters, we all make mistakes, when I was younger I had the unfortunate experience of receiving a DWI, David handled my case, in the end, though a hefty fine, which you would expect, it was dismissed, the court at that time didn't even know how to handle it because it had never been done before. Again, unfortunate, an assault charge due to a bar fight involving the woman who is now my wife, Seth handled this and the result was an ACD. I have also referred someone close to David due to them receiving a DWI...a third DWI, involving an accident, again David got results that were outstanding. Fast-forwarding many years, David has still made himself available to me when called on. I have recently asked for a personal letter to a judge regarding a character reference and again, David has pulled through, made himself available and assisted me. I can't say more about David and Seth, they're two very well known, very smart, very capable lawyers who have helped me through some rather dark times, sometimes I wonder how I don't have a record, it's because of these two guys. Would never recommend anyone else.

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