It may seem as though all speeding tickets are the same. Whether you get your speeding ticket on the Taconic Parkway or on a street in a Hudson Valley town, the ticket amount may look the same. However, the actual town or village court that handles your ticket may have an impact on the outcome of your case.
Every New York parking ticket states the town or village court where the ticket will be handled. Each of these courts is different and the outcome of your ticket could vary greatly depending on the particular court listed on your ticket.
Town and village courts in New York
According the New York State Unified Court System, there are more than 1,000 town and village courts located throughout New York State. Each court has its own judges and handles misdemeanor traffic charges within its jurisdiction. Every town and village court also has its own hours of operation and may handle cases on different days of the week. Additionally, if a town has a special prosecutor or town attorney, state troopers cannot plea bargain a speeding ticket in that jurisdiction.
How can you know how you to handle your ticket?
With so many individual courts and judges, it can be difficult for an individual to know the best steps to take to minimize the penalties they face with a ticket. Since each ticket can result in points on your license and result in substantial fines, you should work to minimize the impact of any ticket you receive. As a result, it is important to work with a local attorney who understands the courts in the area you received your ticket.
A local attorney may be able to reduce your ticket to a lesser offense. Additionally, a traffic violations lawyer may be able to appear on your behalf so that you do not need to go to court to contest the ticket.
