Updated 10/17/2019: Now it's 9 New York Counties
What is a Traffic Diversion Program?
A traffic diversion program is a method, provided by a county district attorney, to resolve a traffic ticket. The district attorney in each county in New York State decides how to handle the traffic tickets issued in their jurisdiction. When a district attorney decides to adopt a traffic diversion program, successful completion of the program will result in a dismissal of the qualifying ticket. This is the best result possible because a dismissal means there will be no points or fine from the court.
Traffic Diversion Program Requirements
While the specifics of each program differ, each county traffic diversion program requires:
- completed application and fee,
- completed defensive driving course, and;
- interaction with the court.
Qualifying Traffic Tickets
Not all tickets qualify for these programs- the programs generally focus on less serious charges. The specific requirements for individual counties are listed below. If our client’s ticket does not qualify, we then handle the ticket as normal through negotiations with the prosecutor. If a client is ejected from the program, most commonly for failing to complete the defensive driving course in time, we would also negotiate directly with the prosecution.
Application and Fee
Each diversion program requires that you complete and submit an application. For clients, we complete the application for their signature. The application fees for the traffic diversion programs in New York state are listed below. These payments should be made by certified check or money order. For our clients overseas, or who find it difficult to secure and mail checks, we arrange credit card payments and mail the payment on their behalf.
Defensive Driving Course
There are numerous defensive driving courses that will satisfy the requirements of the traffic diversion programs. These courses cost about $30 - $40 and may be completed online. View Courses. The completion certificate from the course will be required by the traffic diversion program.
Interaction with the Court
Even though you may be seeking to dispose of your ticket through the traffic diversion program, contact with the court is still required. Each program participant must enter a not guilty plea with the court, secure an adjournment of their court date, and then ensure that no court dates are missed. For our clients, we enter the not guilty plea and keep track of court dates.
Counties with Traffic Diversion Programs
Each of the counties below has adopted a traffic diversion program. The descriptions below are summaries of each program's specific eligibility requirements. These traffic diversion programs apply to all courts in a given county. If you plan to represent yourself in the traffic diversion program, we recommend reading the program materials closely. If you would like a lawyer from our office to represent you, you may hire us online or call, (315) 364-1155, to speak with an attorney.
1. Allegany County
- Program Fee: $225
- Eligible Tickets: Most traffic violations and speeding tickets under 30 mph over the posted limit.
- This program requires approval of the defensive driving course you intend to take among other requirements. Learn more. Traffic courts in Allegany County.
2. Broome County
- Program Fee: $200 per ticket except for $400 per speeding ticket 21- 30 mph over, $400 for cell phone tickets, and $400 for school and work zone speeding tickets.
- Eligible Tickets: Program covers to 4 tickets from one incident may be disposed of through the program including speeding less than 30 mph over the posted limit, or less than 20 mph in a work zone, most other non misdemeanor tickets. Learn more.
- Common Courts: Barker Town Court, Chenango Town Court, Dickinson Town Court, Kirkwood Town Court, Sanford Town Court, and Triangle Town Court. All traffic courts in Broome County.
3. Cayuga County
- Program fee: $65, unsure what the outcome of the taking the course will be for each ticket.
- Eligible Tickets: It is unclear but certainly the most common tickets. Learn more.
- Common Courts: Brutus Town Court, Auburn City Court, Mentz Town Court. All traffic courts in Cayuga County.
4. Chenango County
- Program Fee: $200 or $300 for speeds over 21mph over
- Eligible Tickets: Most traffic tickets excluding misdemeanors, passing a school bus, texting while driving, reckless driving. Learn more.
- Common Courts: Afton Town Court, Guilford Town Court, New Berlin Town Court, Norwich Town Court, Sanford Town Court, and Smyrna Town Court. All traffic courts in Chenango County.
5. Franklin County
- Program Fee: $150
- Eligible Tickets: Most of the standard tickets but no CDL drivers and no traffic convictions in last 18 months. Learn more.
- Common Courts: Brighton Town Court, Malone Town Court, Bombay Town Court, Bangor Town Court. All traffic courts in Franklin County.
6. Livingston County
- Program Fee: $150
- Eligible Offenses: Speeding tickets under 20mph over, but not work or school zones, most other violations. Learn more.
- Common Courts: Geneseo Town Court, North Dansville Town Court, and West Sparta Town Court. All traffic courts in Livingston County.
7. Otsego County
8. Tioga County
- Fee: $240 or $340 for an elevated charge, + $70 each additional additional
- Eligible Offenses: Up to 4 tickets from a single incident including speeding tickets up to 30 mph over the limit and most other traffic violations. Learn more.
- Common Courts: Candor Town Court, Owego Town Court, and Nichols Town Court. All traffic courts in Tioga County.
9. Wyoming County
- Program Fee: $200, $350, or $450
- Eligible Offenses: Speeding under 30 mph over, other traffic violations, and misdemeanor Aggravated Unlicensed Operation. Learn more
- Common Courts: Huron Town Court, Ontario Town Court, Sodus Town Court, and Williamson Town Court. All traffic courts in Wyoming County.