Do You Need a Lawyer for a New York Traffic Ticket?

Do You Need a Lawyer for a New York Traffic Ticket?

Getting pulled over and handed a traffic ticket in New York can ruin your day. But does it really make sense to hire a lawyer to fight it? This article will cover when you may want to get legal help for a traffic violation, and how a lawyer can potentially get your ticket dismissed or reduced.

Common New York Traffic Tickets

Some of the most common traffic tickets issued in New York include:

• Speeding
• Traffic light or stop sign violations
• Cell phone/texting while driving
• Careless or reckless driving
• Driving without insurance or registration
• Equipment violations (bald tires, broken taillight, etc)

Most traffic tickets are considered non-criminal “traffic infractions.” But some like reckless driving are criminal misdemeanors. Traffic infractions still carry fines, points on your license, and insurance rate hikes however.

Should You Fight or Pay a Traffic Ticket?

Some drivers simply choose to pay traffic tickets to make them go away. But there are good reasons to contest them instead:

• Avoid points on your license – This keeps insurance premiums lower.
• Prevent a criminal record – Some tickets lead to misdemeanor charges.
• Remove the violation from your record – Plead it down to a non-moving violation.
• It may get dismissed – Many tickets have errors or technical flaws.

It costs nothing to fight a traffic ticket in New York. The worst that happens is you are found guilty after a trial. So there is little risk in contesting that ticket!

Advantages of Hiring a Traffic Ticket Lawyer

While you can fight a traffic ticket yourself, hiring a lawyer has some key benefits:

• Better chance of winning – Lawyers know how to beat tickets.
• Avoid points and insurance hikes – Lawyers can negotiate reductions to non-moving violations.
• Saves you time – Lawyers handle everything so you don’t have to go to court.
• Peace of mind – Reduces stress and anxiety over the ticket.
• Expert negotiators – Lawyers work with prosecutors daily.

Experienced traffic ticket lawyers know the system, the police officers, and the prosecutors. They can often get charges reduced or dismissed quickly through plea agreements or by identifying technical errors.

How Lawyers Beat Traffic Tickets

There are many potential defenses a skilled New York traffic ticket attorney may use to fight your ticket, such as:

• Invalid traffic stop – If you were pulled over without probable cause, the ticket may get thrown out.
• Radar calibration issues – Radar guns need frequent calibration and officers must be certified to use them.
• Speedometer inaccuracies – Analog speedometers can be unreliable in showing actual speed.
• Technical errors – Tickets with mistakes in dates, names, codes etc. can get dismissed.

In addition, lawyers are experts at negotiating with prosecutors. Often tickets can be reduced to non-moving violations like parking tickets that avoid points or insurance hikes. Lawyers know how to craft persuasive arguments to achieve the best outcome.

What Types of Tickets Require a Lawyer?

While any ticket can benefit from legal help, these types especially warrant hiring a lawyer:

• Reckless driving – This criminal charge can lead to heavy fines, license suspension, and jail time in NY.
• License suspension tickets – Tickets that suspend your license require experienced legal guidance.
• Multiple tickets – Fighting numerous tickets from one incident is complex and requires a lawyer.
• CDL license holders – Commercial truck drivers need lawyers to protect their CDL licenses.

Also, if you already have a lot of points on your license, a lawyer can potentially save you from a suspension. Any ticket that could raise your insurance rates significantly also makes hiring an attorney worthwhile.

Where to Find a Good Traffic Ticket Lawyer

Look for traffic ticket lawyers with these traits:

• Handles traffic tickets exclusively – You want an expert.
• Has experience representing drivers – Ask about their track record.
• Offers flat fees – Beware lawyers charging hourly rates.
• Will go to court for you – Don’t hire lawyers who simply negotiate by mail.

Search online for “traffic ticket lawyer near me” and read reviews. Ask family and friends for recommendations too. Meet or speak with lawyers by phone before hiring one.

How Much Does a Traffic Ticket Lawyer Cost?

Most traffic ticket attorneys charge a flat fee to handle your entire case, rather than hourly billing. Typical flat fees fall in the range of:

• $100 – $300 for simple traffic infractions like speeding.
• $300 – $800 for more serious charges like reckless driving.
• $1,000+ for license suspension or multiple ticket cases.

More complicated cases with court trials or appeals may have extra fees. Be sure to understand the lawyer’s fee structure before signing a retainer agreement.

Is Hiring a Lawyer Worth the Cost?

While lawyers cost money up front, they can save you money in the long run by:

• Avoiding insurance premium hikes
• Preventing fines of $100 or more
• Saving you time off work going to court
• Reducing stress, anxiety, and hassle

If a lawyer can get the ticket dismissed, reduced to a non-moving violation, or avoid a license suspension, it is well worth the investment.

Top Traffic Ticket Lawyers in New York

Here are some of the most prominent traffic ticket attorneys practicing in New York currently:

• The Rosenblum Law Firm – Offices throughout NY and very high success rate beating tickets.
• The Law Offices of Yale Pollack – Over 50 years experience fighting tickets in NYC and Long Island.
• Law Offices of David Galison – Known for getting tickets dismissed and preventing license suspensions.
• Lipsky Lowe LLP – Excellent at negotiating reductions to non-moving violations.

Do your research to find the best traffic lawyer for your specific case needs and budget.

The Bottom Line

While you can fight a minor traffic ticket yourself, hiring a lawyer is wise for more serious violations. Their expertise can help get charges reduced or dismissed, saving you money and avoiding negative consequences. For a relatively small upfront investment, an attorney can give you priceless peace of mind.

Citations

[1] https://traffictickets.com/new-york/traffic-tickets/speeding-tickets/

[2] https://www.nolo.com/legal-encyclopedia/new-york-traffic-tickets-faq.html

[3] https://www.nytrafficlawyer.com/

[4] https://www.tilemlawfirm.com/resources/traffic-tickets/should-you-pay-or-fight-ny-traffic-ticket/

[5] https://www.rosenblumlaw.com/traffic-tickets/new-york-traffic-ticket-lawyer/