A Nassau County traffic ticket can be an infraction, a violation, a misdemeanor, and in some cases, a felony. Most of the traffic tickets issued by the police in Nassau County are infractions. While the majority of Nassau County Traffic tickets are issued  under the New York Vehicle and Traffic Law  (VTL), some tickets are written out under local village ordinances.
 

While most moving traffic infractions carry points and a fine, some tickets, a conviction to some tickets will result in an automatic license revocation. For example, a conviction for driving without insurance (VTL 319.1), will result in an automatic 1 year license revocation in addition to a $750 civil penalty as well as a fine and surcharge.
 

In Nassau County, certain traffic offenses are misdemeanors and certain offenses that are Felonies. Reckless Driving ( NYS VTL 1212) and Driving with a Suspended License are both misdemeanors. Those who plead guilty to these charges or are ultimately convicted of them, will end up with a criminal record. There is an exception under the law for those who are under 19 years old when they receive the ticket and are granted youthful offender status by the court.

 

Below are a few traffic offenses  that are misdemeanor offenses. There are many others that are not listed that are misdemeanors as well. A conviction to any one of these will give you a criminal record unless you granted youthful offender status.
 

VTL 1182 Unauthorized speed contest

VTL 512 Revoked Registration

VTL 306-e Fictitious Inspection Certificate

VTL 319-2 Produced Invalid Insurance ID card

VTL 511.1(a) Aggravated Unlicensed Operation in the 3rd degree

VTL 511.2 (a) Aggravated Unlicensed Operation in the 2nd Degree

VTL 600-2a Leaving the scene of an accident with personal Injury

VTL 340-(a) Failure to surrender license/registration/plates after revocation under article 7

VTL 1212 Reckless Driving

VTL 375-I Inadequate Brakes

VTL 375-1 Inadequate Trailer Brakes
 

Some traffic convictions carry a mandatory sentence of jail or probation. Those convicted of Aggravated Unlicensed Operation in the Second Degree (VTL511.2a) must by law be sentence to either Jail or 3 years probation, and a minimum $500 fine, plus an $88 or $93 surcharge.
 

Accumulating 11 points with dates of violation within an 18 month period of each other will result in a DMV suspension of your license. Also, a conviction to 3 or more speeding tickets, or misdemeanor driving convictions, (or any combination thereof), with dates of violation within an 18 month period will result in an automatic 6 month suspension of your drivers license.
 

NEW YORK STATE DRIVER ASSESSMENT FEE
 

New York State imposes a driver assessment fee for those who accumulate 6 or more points, with violation dates within an 18 month period, This is in addition to any fines, surcharges and court fees that the court may have imposed. The New York State Driver assessment fee starts at $300 ($100 per year for 3 years) for 6 points. As the points increase, so does the driver assessment fee. For every point over 6 points, the drivers assessment fee is $75 or $25 per year for 3 years. Those who accumulate 8 points within an 18 month period will receive a $450 driver assessment fee, or $150 a year for 3 years. 11 points will lead to a $675 driver assessment fee, or $225 a year for 3 years. Being an out of state driver will not get you out of a driver’s assessment fee.  They are imposed regardless of whether you possess a New York State driver’s license of not.
 

HOW CAN AN ATTORNEY HELP?
 

As a Nassau County Traffic Lawyer, I have handled thousands of traffic tickets. I am in the Nassau 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, is to get the 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.
 

WITHOUT FIRST CONSULTING WITH AN ATTORNEY