Suffolk County Moving Violations

While there are a number of Police Agencies in Suffolk County that issue traffic tickets, the majority of tickets issued in Suffolk County are issued by Suffolk County Police Officers, the Suffolk County Sheriff’s Department, or by State Troopers.

Tickets received on the Southern State Parkway, the Northern State Parkway, the Sagtikos Parkway, Robert Moses Causeway, and the Ocean Parkway are almost always issued by State Troopers. Tickets received on the Long Island Expressway are usually issued by Suffolk County Police Officers.  Most tickets issued in residential areas will be issued by Suffolk Police Officers.

Traffic tickets received in Suffolk County can be infractions or violations and in some cases criminal offenses such as a misdemeanor, or a felony. Most of the traffic tickets issued in Suffolk County are infractions or unclassified misdemeanors.

CERTAIN TRAFFIC TICKET CONVICTIONS CARRY AN AUTOMATIC REVOCATION OF YOUR LICENSE.

While most moving traffic infractions carry points and a fine, some carry automatic license revocations. A conviction for a moving violation received during the probationary period of your license will generally result in a license suspension for a set amount of time. Also pleading guilty to, or being convicted of driving without insurance (VTL 319.1), will automatically result in a one year revocation of your license. You will also be required to pay a $750 civil penalty in addition to a fine and surcharge.

A CONVICTION TO CERTAIN SUFFOLK COUNTY TRAFFIC TICKETS
WILL LEAD TO A CRIMINAL RECORD.

In Suffolk County there are traffic offenses that are actually misdemeanor and as well as Felony offenses. For example, the charge of driving with a suspended license (VTL 511.1a) is a misdemeanor. Should you plead guilty to driving with a suspended license or are convicted of driving with a suspended license, you will end up with a criminal record, unless you were under 19 years old when you received the ticket and are granted youthful offender status by the court.

The following are a offenses are misdemeanors. This is not a complete list, but rather just a sample of offenses that can lead to a criminal record.

• VTL 511.1(a) Aggravated Unlicensed Operation in the 3rd degree
• VTL 511.2 (a) Aggravated Unlicensed Operation in the 2nd Degree
• VTL 319-2 Produced Invalid Insurance ID card
• VTL 340-(a) Failure to surrender license/registration/plates after revocation under article
• VTL 1212 Reckless Driving
• VTL 1182 Unauthorized speed contest
• VTL 306-e Fictitious Inspection Certificate
• VTL 375-I Inadequate Brakes
• VTL 375-1 Inadequate Trailer Brakes
• VTL 600-2a Leaving the scene of an accident with personal Injury

SOME TRAFFIC MISDEMEANOR CONVICTIONS CARRY MANDATORY JAIL OR PROBATION.

In Suffolk County as in all of New York, certain misdemeanor traffic convictions carry mandatory jail or probation. With other charges, the court may impose jail or probation. For example, those convicted of Aggravated Unlicensed Operation in the Second Degree (VTL511.2a) must by law be sentenced to a period incarceration or 3 years probation, and a minimum $500 fine, plus a surcharge. A judge would not be permitted to sentence you to simply a fine on that conviction.

TOO MANY POINTS OR TOO MANY SPEEDING TICKET CONVICTIONS
WILL LEAD TO A LICENSE SUSPENSION

If you accumulate over 10 points on your license or driving record, with dates of violation within an 18 month period of each other, The NYS Department of Motor Vehicles will automatically  suspend your drivers license. Likewise, three or more convictions for speeding, or misdemeanor traffic convictions, (or a combination thereof), with dates of violation within an 18 month period of each other will result in an automatic 6 month suspension of your driving license.

NEW YORK STATE DRIVERS ASSESSEMENT FEE

If you accumulate 6 or more points, with dates of violation within an 18 month period of each other, the NYS DMV will impose a driver assessment fee. The driver assessment fee is in addition to any fines, surcharges and court fees imposed by the court. The amount of the assessment depends on the number of points. The higher the points, the higher the assessment fee. The New York State Driver assessment fee starts at $300 ($100 per year for 3 years) for 6 points. For every point over 6 points, the drivers assessment fee is $75 ($25 per year for 3 years). If you accumulate 8 points, with dates of violation within an 18 month period the driver assessment fee will be $450 ($150 a year for 3 years). 11 points translates to a $675 driver assessment fee ($225 a year for 3 years). Inasmuch as many speeding tickets issued in Suffolk County carry 6, 8, and 11 points by themselves, the points can quickly add up. Driver assessment fees are imposed regardless of whether you have a New York State driver’s license of not.

HOW CAN AN ATTORNEY HELP?

As a Suffolk County Traffic Lawyer, I have handled thousands of traffic tickets in Suffolk County. I am in the Suffolk Courts everyday negotiating with the same prosecutors and judges. While the ultimate resolution of your ticket will depend on a number of factors, my goal on every ticket I handle in Suffolk County is to attempt to obtain the very best resolution possible. Over the years my representation has resulted in thousands of tickets being dismissed or reduced. Please feel free to contact me and I will let you know what you can expect the outcome of your case to be. There is no charge for the consultation.

NO ONE SHOULD EVER PLEAD GUILTY TO A SUFFOLK COUNTY TRAFFIC TICKET
WITHOUT FIRST CONSULTING WITH AN ATTORNEY

Call today for Help! (631) 665-2200