Although speeding tickets are very common throughout New York, it can be hard to avoid feeling singled out when dealing with this tough situation.
Depending upon how much faster than the speed limit a police officer alleges you were driving, you could face hundreds of dollars in fines and points against your driving record that could add up to a suspension of your license. Considering these possible consequences, fighting your speeding ticket might be a good move to make.
Clearly, not all who fight traffic tickets end up with outcomes they hoped for – especially those who try to beat a ticket without an experienced attorney’s help. Sometimes a conviction for a traffic ticket is inevitable, but an attorney may be able to help you alter the impact of a speeding conviction by reducing the speed cited on your ticket.
How to Reduce Your Speeding Ticket in New York
If you intend to fight your speeding ticket in an attempt to beat it or reduce the penalties of a conviction, you must prepare a strong case. Again, this is where hiring an experienced traffic court attorney can be a prudent decision.
The following are some steps you can take that may ultimately help you beat or reduce your speeding ticket.
1. Pay Attention to Relevant Dates
Your traffic ticket will tell you the date and time you need to appear in court if you intend to fight it. This date will be weeks in the future, so use that time to secure legal counsel and start building your defense.
2. Consult with a Traffic Ticket Attorney
Most people don’t invest time and money in securing a traffic ticket attorney, but having one can make an important difference. If another conviction means putting enough points on your driving record to suspend your license, an attorney can help you avoid this situation. You may also want an attorney’s help if you’re facing more than one citation for the same traffic stop.
3. Review Your Citation for Factual Errors
You probably don’t even want to look at your speeding ticket, but it’s essential to do so. There’s a lot of information on there about the time, date, and location of your alleged speeding offense, as well as information about you and your vehicle. Sometimes an important factual error can work in your favor.
Small factual errors, however, won’t matter as much as larger ones. For example, if the officer recorded the wrong color for your car, that’s a detail that probably won’t make a difference. If, however, the officer recorded the wrong street or an incorrect speed limit for the road where you were stopped, then errors such as these can result in a case dismissal or reduction in your speeding offense.
4. Prepare Your Evidence
There’s a variety of evidence you can collect if you intend to fight your speeding ticket. What that evidence will entail, though, depends on the strategy your attorney thinks can help you secure the best possible outcome. Anything from evidence of the posted speed limits to proof that your speedometer was malfunctioning can contribute to your defense.
5. Let Your Attorney Guide You Through the Rest
Although it’s good to want to be involved in your case, hopefully you’ve secured legal counsel you trust enough to guide you through your trial.
Keep in mind that traffic court trials can be very brief (often 10-20 minutes), and your attorney is acclimated to making convincing arguments in the allotted time.
Penalties for Speeding in New York
In New York, the penalties for speeding are as follows:
- Up to 10 mph over: $138-$243 in fines, 3 points
- 11-20 mph over: $183-$393 in fines, 4 points, possibly up to 15 days in jail
- 21-30 mph over: $483-$693 in fines, 6 points, possibly up to 15 days in jail
- 31-40 mph over: $723-$1,143 in fines, 8 points, possibly up to 30 days in jail
- 41+ mph over: $1,098-$1,518 in fines, 11 points, possibly up to 30 days in jail, automatic license suspension
Keep in mind that all it takes is 11 points in an 18-month period to lose your driving privileges.
Legal Help for Speeding Tickets in New York City
If you were recently ticketed for speeding and intend to fight your citation, reach out to Stites Law for help. Our traffic ticket attorney can help you build a case that may help you avoid or reduce the impact of a conviction. If you wish to learn more about how we can help, get in touch with us today.
Contact Stites Law online or by calling (212) 729-0472">(212) 729-0472 now.
