In the previous blog posting, we discussed the financial issues of traffic tickets and now we are going to dive into the Licensing and Legal Issues as well as offer legal remedies.
LICENSING ISSUES
The licensing consequences of pleading guilty to a New York traffic infraction, depending upon the number of points of both the ticket and your prior points on your driving record, as well as your prior convictions and how long you have had your drivers license, may cause
your license to be suspended or revoked.
DMV has a “point system” in which each summons is assigned a point value. If you obtain 11 or more points in an 18 month period, you will be called to a DMV hearing at which time your license may be suspended or revoked.
For example, if you are convicted of speeding:
a) 1 to 10 miles per hour over the posted limit you will receive 3 points;
b) 11 to 20 miles per hour over the posted limit you will receive 4 points;
c) 21 to 30 miles per hour over the posted limit you will receive 6 points; and
d) 31 to 40 miles per hour over the posted limit you will receive 8 points.
If you passed a stopped school bus you will get 5 points.
If you pass through a stop sign or a red light you will get 3 points.
In addition to the above offenses, if you obtain 3 speeding convictions within 18 months, your license can be revoked.
If you plead guilty to driving without insurance, your license will be revoked for at least one year and you will be assessed a civil penalty of $750.
LEGAL ISSUES
The Court has the inherent power to suspend your license for an excessive speed. Furthermore, the Court, based upon a conviction of a speed greater than 30 MPH, pursuant to Vehicle & Traffic Law Section 1180(b) or (d)(1), can impose a fine up to $600.00 and/or incarceration up to 30 days.
LEGAL REMEDIES
Depending upon the particular Court, Wisselman, Harounian & Associates, P.C., may be
able to plea bargain your ticket to a lower offense with less points. The reduced offense may avoid triggering higher insurance premiums for years, protect your license from being suspended or revoked, as well as help you avoid jail time.