Traffic Violation Attorney in Kings County

Classifications of Traffic Violations in Kings County

New York law distinguishes between different types of traffic violations, and the classification of your ticket has a direct impact on the potential penalties.

• Non-Criminal Traffic Infractions: The majority of traffic tickets fall into this category. These aren’t criminal offenses, but they can still result in fines, points on your license, and a Driver Responsibility Assessment. Examples include speeding, failure to yield, and improper turns.
• Misdemeanors: More serious violations that can result in jail time if you’re found guilty. Examples include reckless driving, aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle, and leaving the scene of an accident.
• Felonies: The most serious traffic-related offenses, such as vehicular manslaughter, carry the most severe penalties, including lengthy prison sentences.

A traffic infraction can also be elevated to a more serious offense if the officer documents additional unsafe behaviors, triggering criminal court jurisdiction. We work to address charge enhancements and to pursue a resolution that minimizes the impact on your record and your life.

Penalties of a Traffic Violation Conviction in New York

A conviction for a traffic violation in New York can carry serious legal penalties and collateral consequences. We’re committed to protecting your interests and fighting for a result that minimizes the impact on your driving record, your livelihood, and your future.

Direct Penalties

The direct legal penalties for a traffic violation conviction in New York depend on the type of offense:

• Fines and Surcharges: Fines can range from a few hundred dollars to over a thousand depending on the charge, and mandatory surcharges apply to all convictions.
• DMV Points: A conviction adds a set number of points to your license. Accumulating 11 or more points within an 18-month period can result in suspension.
• Driver Responsibility Assessment (DRA): Six or more points within 18 months triggers a DRA, an additional fee of at least $100 per year for three years paid directly to the DMV.
• License Suspension or Revocation: Too many points or a serious conviction can result in losing your license entirely.
• Incarceration: Certain criminal traffic offenses carry the possibility of jail time upon conviction.

Collateral Consequences

A criminal record for a traffic offense can affect employment background checks, professional licensing applications, and housing. A serious conviction can also drive up auto insurance rates significantly, with those increases persisting for multiple years. For CDL holders, even a non-criminal infraction can affect commercial driving eligibility and employment. For non-citizens, a criminal conviction can carry severe immigration consequences, including deportation.

SCHEDULE A FREE CONSULTATION