Farmingdale Criminal & Traffic Offenses

Getting pulled over or charged with a crime can be scary. But don’t worry – this article will walk you through some of the most common criminal and traffic offenses in Farmingdale, NY. We’ll look at what they are, typical penalties, and potential defenses. And we’ll do it in a simple, conversational way so you can actually understand this complex legal stuff.

First up: traffic tickets. We’ve all been there – you’re cruising down Main Street and see the flashing lights in your rearview. Gets the heart racing every time! Traffic tickets in Farmingdale usually come from violations of the New York Vehicle and Traffic Law. Common ones include speeding, cell phone use, expired registration, failure to yield, and parking violations.

Fines range from $45 for a simple parking ticket up to a few hundred bucks for speeding. And some violations like cell phone use and speeding come with points on your license. Get enough points and your license could be suspended – yikes!

Luckily, there are defenses that can get your ticket reduced or dismissed. For speeding, you may be able to argue the radar gun wasn’t calibrated properly. For cell phone violations, maybe the cop didn’t have a clear view of you. And for parking tickets, check closely – the address or permit number may be wrong.

It’s also possible the officer made a procedural error when writing the ticket. If they didn’t follow the proper process, the ticket could get tossed out. Sweet!

OK, let’s switch gears to criminal offenses. In New York, crimes are divided into misdemeanors and felonies. Misdemeanors are less serious and felonies are more serious.

Common misdemeanors in Farmingdale include things like petit larceny (shoplifting), possession of marijuana, trespassing, and disorderly conduct. Penalties are up to 1 year in jail.

Felonies are more serious crimes like burglary, assault, robbery, and grand larceny (stealing property worth over $1,000). Penalties can include multiple years in prison. Yikes!

But don’t panic if you’re charged with a crime. There are defenses that can help, some of which apply to both misdemeanors and felonies:

• Mistaken identity – Prove you weren’t the person who committed the crime.
• Alibi – You have evidence showing you were somewhere else at the time.
• Self-defense – You only used physical force to protect yourself or others.
• Lack of intent – For some crimes, prosecutors must prove you intended to break the law. Argue you didn’t have criminal intent.
• Entrapment – Law enforcement improperly induced you to commit the crime.

See, the legal system isn’t totally stacked against you after all! An experienced criminal defense attorney can help evaluate defenses and negotiate with the prosecutor for reduced charges or dismissal.

Let’s switch gears again and talk about some specific Farmingdale laws and penalties:

• Under Village Code §341-13, littering fines can be up to $250 and 15 days in jail. Ouch! Pick up your trash, people.
• Taping or crimping a parking permit instead of properly affixing it is a $35 fine at Farmingdale State College. Read the rules carefully!
• Parking in a handicapped spot at the college is a whopping $150 ticket. Those spots are for people who need them – don’t be a jerk!
• Speed limits are 30 mph in most of the village unless otherwise posted. School zones and residential areas are usually 20-25 mph. Slow it down!
• The Village Noise Code bans excess noise from radios, TVs, machinery, and more after 11pm on weeknights and midnight on weekends. Be considerate of your neighbors!
• Public intoxication and urinating in public are misdemeanors in New York. Drink responsibly, folks!
• Marijuana possession under 2 ounces was decriminalized in NY in 2021. It’s now a violation with a $50 fine. But beware – distribution and large amounts can still be felonies.

Hopefully this gives you a better handle on some of the criminal and traffic laws in Farmingdale. The key is to drive safely, don’t litter, be respectful of others, and don’t steal stuff!

If you do get cited or arrested, stay calm and call an attorney. An experienced lawyer can advise you on the best defense and work to get charges reduced or dismissed. We all make mistakes – you’ve got this!