Being pulled over is never fun, even if you were speeding, rolled through a stop sign, or committed another traffic violation. Many drivers may make the mistake of just paying the ticket and moving on, but in New York, even a minor traffic ticket can bring serious results: points on your license, steep fines, and insurance premiums that go through the roof. Here’s what you need to know before you do anything.
Step 1: Stay Calm and Respectful at the Stop
As a driver, it is important to stay calm when stopped and be cooperative by giving your license, registration, and proof of insurance when asked. What you should not do is argue at the point of the stop. Anything you say can and will be used against you later. The best time to contest a ticket is in court and not on the side of the road.
Step 2: Don’t Automatically Pay the Ticket
Many people believe that by paying the fine, they will quickly put the ticket behind them. Unfortunately, in New York, paying a ticket is equivalent to pleading guilty. This guilty plea is tagged on your driving record as points and may result in the suspension of your license if too many are accrued. Even one conviction can keep your insurance premiums high for years.
Step 3: Know Your Rights
You always have the right to contest your ticket, and there may be appropriate defenses, including:
- The radar gun of the officer was not calibrated correctly.
- Visibility was affected by road or weather conditions.
- You were not the driver who was identified as having committed the violation.
Every case is unique, but very often, exercising your rights can slash penalties or even dismiss charges.
Step 4: Consult a Traffic Defense Lawyer
This is where experience matters. Having formerly served as an Assistant District Attorney and a Public Defender in Sullivan County, attorney Scott A. Russell has prosecuted and defended thousands of traffic cases. This gives him the benefit of that unique perspective to anticipate what the prosecution might put forward in their case against his clients and build the strongest possible defense for them.
Step 5: Weigh Your Options With Guidance
An experienced attorney can:
- Negotiate reduced charges so that the points do not go on your license
- Challenge the ticket on a procedural or evidentiary basis
- Go to court for you, saving you the hassle of taking time off work
Just because you received a traffic ticket in Monticello does not mean that you will automatically be fined, receive points, or face higher insurance rates. With the right legal representation, you can keep your driving record clean and your wallet untouched.
If you receive a traffic ticket in Monticello or anywhere in Sullivan County, call Scott Russell Law today to schedule a consultation and start building your defense.
