What Are My Rights During a Traffic Stop in New York?
If you have been issued a traffic ticket on the roads of Rockland County, you should consider your legal options. Even though a speeding ticket seems easy to resolve, an effective attorney may be able to lessen the charges through plea bargaining or get the ticket dismissed, saving you from points on your driving record that impact insurance premiums. If you have been issued a reckless driving ticket, you face a misdemeanor charge, points on your license, and overwhelming fines and surcharges. A cell phone violation is a serious offense as well, subjecting the guilty to a 5-point ticket. If you are caught operating a motor vehicle without a license, you face a variety of consequences. Whatever situation you are in, it is important to consult with an attorney to understand your legal status. If you need quality representation for a traffic violation, contact a Rockland County attorney from The Law Office of Kevin T. Conway.
Traffic tickets often come with harsher penalties than most people realize. In fact, some traffic violations even result in jail time, which is why you should never face one on your own. Instead, simply hire a seasoned traffic violations attorney from The Law Office of Kevin T. Conway who can effectively fight for your future.
Our seasoned Rockland County traffic violation lawyer handles a wide range of traffic tickets on behalf of their clients, including the following:
When a driver in Rockland County receives a speeding citation, the matter is typically addressed by the Traffic Violations Bureau (TVB) of the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles. While it may be tempting to resolve the situation on your own, having an attorney who focuses on traffic law can greatly improve the odds of reducing the penalties—or even having the ticket dismissed. In New York, a speeding conviction results not only in fines but also in points on your license, which can negatively affect both your driving record and your insurance premiums.
Unlike many other traffic offenses that are considered minor infractions, reckless driving in New York is treated far more severely. It is classified as a misdemeanor, meaning it is a criminal charge rather than a simple violation. A conviction can bring serious consequences, potentially jeopardizing both your personal and professional life. Under New York Penal Law §1212, reckless driving is defined as operating a vehicle in a way that unreasonably interferes with the proper use of public roads or places other drivers and pedestrians in unnecessary danger.
New York has some of the strictest laws in the nation regarding cell phone use while driving. Back in 2001, the state became the first in the country to prohibit handheld cell phone use behind the wheel. What began as a relatively minor infraction with small fines has evolved into one of the most aggressively enforced traffic laws. As mobile devices advanced, offering texting, email, internet browsing, and GPS capabilities, lawmakers responded with harsher restrictions. Today, violations for using a phone while driving can carry steep penalties and serious consequences for your driving record.
Operating a motor vehicle without a valid license is unlawful in every state, including New York. The penalties depend heavily on the circumstances. If your license issue was unknown to you, you may face only a traffic infraction. However, if you were aware, or reasonably should have been aware, that your license was suspended, revoked, or otherwise invalid, you could be charged with Aggravated Unlicensed Operation (AUO). An AUO is a far more serious offense and can lead to severe legal consequences.
Traffic violations come with points on your license. A brief overview of the NY points system is as follows:
If you’ve received a traffic ticket or are facing charges for a driving-related offense in Rockland County or anywhere in New York State, don’t face it alone. The consequences of a conviction (points on your license, higher insurance premiums, steep fines, and even potential jail time) can have a lasting impact on your life. The Law Office of Kevin T. Conway has decades of experience helping clients challenge traffic violations, reduce penalties, and protect their driving records. Contact a traffic violation attorney from our firm today.
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