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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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Excellent job done!!

Seth Azria saved me such heartache when I received a speeding ticket on Thanksgiving day...of all days of the year. 
Seth was able to negotiate a much lesser charge and fine and I am truly thankful!

Mary B. posted to Avvo
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As mentioned in many of the other reviews. Seth and Monica spelled out what should happen and it did. Ticket for my daughter from our of state was reduced to nonmoving violation. She was visiting colleges in NY, as she only has her permit a moving violation would have resulted in, a loss of her license for 3 months, driving school, and fines etc... 
I had no referral, just read the reviews and crossed my fingers. The price was affordable, they were very responsive, I could not be happier. Wished I had used him a couple of years ago when I got a ticket in NYC that I made the very expensive mistake of trying to defend myself...

Schuyler speeding ticket

It's been quite a few months, maybe a year since Seth got my speeding ticket reduced to a non moving violation. After speaking with several attorneys I went with Seth because he was exactly as described in his reviews. He was reachable, returned my calls, answered all my questions (which there were many). After a few weeks he and his staff got back to me with a positive outcome. It cost some money in fees and fines but a few months later my insurance had dropped $800. Wow....I was happy I didn't get a speeding ticket or points taken away so that my insurance wouldn't go up. This was a super bonus! 
Thanks Seth!

KC-Toronto posted to Avvo
Take it from a Fellow Attorney, Seth Azria is wonderful and gets the job done.

I am an attorney working in the lower Hudson Valley. I had an unfortunate brush with the law on my birthday of all days! which resulted in my receipt of a speeding ticket en-route to a wedding in Buffalo. I'd never had any other infractions on my record and this offense is certainly not an area in which I specialize. I was very upset and worried but immediately upon calling Mr. Azria all of my fears and concerns melted away. Mr. Azria was able to plead my ticket down to a minor violation with no points and a small fee to the Court. Mr. Azria was quick, efficient and responsive. I never had a moment of worry that my case was being neglected. Mr. Azria and his team answered any questions that I had and kept me informed throughout the process. I could not have asked for a better team in my corner and you can't beat the price. You would have thought that I spent a small fortune for the quality of service that I received. Take it from me, Mr. Azria is the attorney you want representing you.

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