How Can Previous Convictions Affect Sentencing?
Have you been accused of speeding? If so, you may not think it’s necessary to hire a Suffolk County speeding ticket lawyer to represent you, but the truth is you’d absolutely be better off if you did. Suffolk County has some of the strictest traffic law enforcement standards in New York, meaning you can face serious consequences. Call the competent Suffolk speeding ticket lawyers from Castro & Trodden, LLC, today so we can begin building a strong defense on your behalf.
The penalties for a speeding ticket are often harsher than many people realize. In many cases, they go far beyond a simple fine. This is why no one should face a speeding ticket without a skilled Long Island traffic ticket lawyer on their side. Castro & Trodden, LLC is here to help.
If you receive a speeding ticket in Suffolk County, it’s important to understand that these tickets are not all processed in the same place. Where your case will be handled depends on the municipality responsible for issuing the ticket, the type of roadway you were on when the violation occurred, and what town you were in at the time. Different locations have different procedures for handling these cases.
A considerable number of traffic tickets are processed through the Suffolk County Traffic & Parking Violations Agency in Hauppauge. The policy at this location differs, as the TPVA does not have an automatic plea reduction system in place, like many municipalities do. As such, each case will be assessed individually, which is why having an attorney is critical.
In the event you are issued a speeding ticket by a local police officer, you can expect your case to go through the town or village court. This creates a considerable amount of variability, as prosecutors, policies, and procedures will vary from town to town. You may find that the policies in Islip Town Court differ from those of the Patchogue Village Court. As such, an experienced Suffolk County attorney will understand the differences between these courts to help you fight for the best possible outcome for your circumstances.
If you are issued a traffic ticket by a New York state police officer, or the violation occurs on the Long Island Expressway (I-495), Sunrise Highway (Route 27), or any other major state route, the ticket may still go to the TPVA or the court of the town or village where the violation occurred.
Importantly, traffic violations are not just about fines—they can also add points to your driving record. The state operates on a Driver Violation Point System, where each infraction carries a specific number of points. Accumulating too many points within a certain period can lead to severe consequences, including license suspension and increased insurance rates.
For speeding violations, the number of points assessed depends on how much you exceeded the posted speed limit:
If you accumulate 11 points within 18 months, the New York Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) may suspend your driver’s license. Additionally, if you reach 6 or more points within 18 months, you will be required to pay a Driver Responsibility Assessment (DRA) Fee, which starts at $300 and increases with additional points.
Additionally, the accumulation of points will result in higher insurance premiums, as this indicates to your insurer that you are a high-risk driver.
Given the high stakes, it’s crucial to fight speeding tickets aggressively. DRA fines can be expensive, and too many will result in the suspension of your license. Our skilled Suffolk County traffic ticket lawyer can work to reduce the points associated with your violation or even get your ticket dismissed altogether.
Many drivers assume that a speeding ticket is just a minor inconvenience, but in reality, the penalties can be severe and long-lasting. In addition to the point system, speeding violations in New York come with substantial fines, potential license suspensions, and even jail time in certain cases.
The base fines for speeding tickets in New York are as follows:
However, these fines do not include the mandatory New York State surcharge, which adds between $88 and $93 to the total cost. If you accumulate six or more points on your driving record, you will also be subject to the Driver Responsibility Assessment Fee, which is an additional financial penalty.
For extreme speeding violations—such as driving more than 40 mph over the limit—you could even face up to 30 days in jail. Additionally, repeat offenders may have their license revoked or suspended, especially if they have prior traffic infractions within an 18-month period.
Speeding in work zones or school zones comes with even harsher penalties, including double fines and increased likelihood of license suspension.
As you can see, there are a number of real-world consequences you face when a ticket is issued. From increased insurance costs and DRA fees to points and a suspension of your license, this is not a matter that should be taken lightly.
Our skilled Suffolk County speeding ticket lawyers at Castro & Trodden can negotiate a ticket reduction or dismissal, helping you avoid the steep fines, points on your record, and other penalties that a guilty plea would cause.
If you have been issued a speeding ticket in Suffolk County, you have the right to contest it in court. You can either represent yourself or hire a speeding ticket lawyer to handle your case. As a general rule, it is always best to face any legal issue with a competent attorney in your corner, especially when jail time is an option. Of course, the defense that we use in your case will depend largely on the specifics of your ticket, however, some of the common defenses for speeding tickets are as follows:
Proving the speed measurement device was unreliable, due to improper calibration, maintenance, or incorrect operation when it was used to calculate your speed, can often be a valid defense to help you avoid costly charges.
Your attorney may be able to prove that the speed limit was not clearly posted, visible, or altogether missing, leading to your uncertainty about the speed limit.
In the event that there was a clerical error or incorrect information listed on the traffic ticket issued to you, you may be able to have the ticket dismissed on technical grounds.
In the event that you are issued a speeding ticket in Suffolk County, taking the necessary steps to protect yourself is critical. Generally, the most important thing you should do is familiarize yourself with all deadlines.
You should also avoid pleading guilty to the speeding ticket without first consulting an attorney. Though it may seem easier to incur a small fine, there are a considerable number of hidden costs that can arise when the violation hits your driving record. In many instances, your attorney can even appear in court to fight the ticket on your behalf.
No matter the circumstances of your speeding ticket, you should strongly consider retaining the services of a team of seasoned Suffolk County speeding ticket lawyers who can fight for the best outcome possible on your behalf. Fortunately, you’re in the right place. Contact Castro & Trodden, LLC today so we can get started working on your case.
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