Why Fight A New York Speeding Ticket
The first response that most people give when asked why should they fight their New York speeding summons is points. Speeding convictions in NY carry 3 to 11 points depending on how many MPH above the limit you are convicted.
New York Speeding Violation Chart
1 - 10 mph over speed limit 3 points
11 - 20 mph over speed limit 4 points
21 - 30 mph over speed limit 6 points
31 - 40 mph over speed limit 8 points
41+ mph over speed limit 11 points
The better response is that one should fight their New York speeding ticket to avoid being suspended for too many points. In other words, it is the consequences of having too many points to which people are averse.
In New York State, if you get more than 10 points, you can be suspended. Additionally, even with just one accident attorney conviction for 31 mph (or more) over the limit, a judge could suspend your license.
The second reason for fighting your New York speeding ticket is automobile insurance rates. Most people are aware that having a speeding ticket on your record (among other things) can increase your insurance rates. What many people do not know is that, if you have a clean record (no points or accidents), and you are convicted of one minor speeding ticket, your insurance rates will not increase. For insurance purposes, a minor speeding ticket is one where you are convicted of only proceeding 15 mph (or less) above the limit.
With insurance rates already high for drivers with a clean driving record, it is important to fight your New York speeding ticket to keep your rate as low as possible. Another thing you can do to keep your rate low is to take the driver safety class. This six-hour session will take 4 points off your New York point total plus save you 10% off your auto insurance.
The final reason to fight your New York State speeding summons is financial. The fine for a NYS speeding ticket is, at least, $90. Plus, New York State adds a $50 surcharge to the fine making the cost of your speeding ticket $140 (or more). Moreover, for a 6-point speeding ticket conviction (21 mph over the limit or higher), the New York DMV will impose yet another fee called the Driver Responsibility Assessment Fee of $300. This fee increases by $75 for every point above 6 on your NY motorist's driving record. Therefore, a conviction to a New York State speeding ticket can get very expensive.
As discussed above, there are, therefore, three very good reasons to fight your NYS speeding ticket even if you have an otherwise clean record. It is therefore recommended that you consult with a New York traffic lawyer in the event you are charged with a high New York speeding ticket, have a bad driver record or are issued multiple New York traffic ticket violations.
The author, Matthew J. Weiss, Esq. graduated Hofstra Law School in 1984. He was Law Review and won the law school's prestigious Procedure Award. Upon graduation, he became one of the first Hofstra Law School graduates to work at the New York State Court of Appeals (New York State's highest court) working on various appellate matters.
Mr. Weiss then worked for two years at Rivkin, Radler, Bayh, Hart & Kremer, a 200-plus accident attorney law firm, representing various clients, such as municipalities, insurance companies and large corporations, in various litigation matters. He also continued to do substantial appellate work.
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