New York Speeding Ticket
Explained
By Adam H. Rosenblum
The Rosenblum Law Firm P.C.
Fight Your Ticket. Save Money.
Copyright 2018
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Below is a detailed explanation of the different parts of a standard New York State
Speeding ticket. We will refer back to each one of the parts throughout this
document. Please note that New York City traffic tickets are different and will be
explained in a different document.
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I. The Defendant’s Information
These boxes display numerous identifying
data about the defendant including name,
address and information about the car
being driven at the time of the stop. It
also contains the ticket number in the top
right corner
II. The Charges
The “Section Sub Section” box indicates
which section of the law the defendant is
being accused of violating. Below (on the next
page) is a list of common New York traffic
violations as well as the New York Vehicle &
Traffic Law sections they fall under, the
amount of points (if any) and the maximum
fines and New York State surcharges attached
to them. It also lists the date, location of the
offense and officer’s information.
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Speeding Ticket Points & Fine System
*Speeding Over State Limit
Points
Fine
Surcharge
1-10 mph over posted speed limit
3
$150
$80-$85
11-20 mph over posted speed limit
4
$300
$80-$85
21-30 mph over posted speed limit
6*
$300
$80-$85
31-40 mph over posted speed limit
8*
$600
$80-$85
40 mph + over posted speed limit
11 **
$600
$80-$85
**Speeding in Construction Zone
Points
Fine
Surcharge
10 mph over posted limit
0
$150
$130-$135
11 -30 mph over posted limit
0
$300
$130-$135
31 mph + over posted limit
0
$600
$130-$135
*Driver Responsibility Assessment Fee (DRA): If you receive 6 or more points as a
result of violations that occurred within an 18 month period you will be subject to
an additional fine known as the Driver Responsibility Assessment fee (DRA). When
you reach 6 points you will be penalized $300. An additional $75 will be imposed
for each point after the 6-point mark. This penalty is paid to DMV and is separate
and in addition to the court fines associated with your ticket.
**At 11 points the NY DMV will suspend your NY license or NY driving privileges
(if you live out of state). Any points accumulated for violations which occur within
a given 18-month period count towards suspension. If you have a CDL license or a
Junior license, the penalties can be even more severe.
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III. Court Info. & Plea Deadline
This particular Section shows the name of the
court and its address, along with a date and
time for a response, either by postal mail or in
person. Most tickets allow a plea to be made by
mail, some require a plea to be made in person.
To find information and directions to court go
to New York court directory.
IV. SECTION A – PLEA OF GUILTY
If you choose to plead “guilty” to the charges fill
out this Section and mail to the address of the
court mentioned in Section 3. Bear in mind that
pleading guilty to certain offenses like “no
insurance” can lead to mandatory driver’s
license suspension or revocation.
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The only way to challenge the charges or get the charges reduced is to plead “not
guilty” (see next Section).
It is also a common belief that a person should plead “Guilty” if he or she knows
that he was, in fact, guilty. It is important to keep two things in mind:
1. Under our legal system, it is the prosecution that has the burden of proof. It
is every defendant’s right to plead “Not Guilty” and make them do their job
which is to prove that you were guilty (or offer you a plea agreement for a
reduced charge).
2. Entering an initial plea of “Not Guilty” does not mean that there is no going
back. To the contrary, all it does is preserve your rights to a plea bargain (if
applicable) or trial.
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IV. SECTION B - PLEA OF NOT GUILTY
If you choose to plead “Not Guilty” fill out SECTION B.
The Not Guilty section features a spot for you to request
a supporting deposition. A supporting deposition is a
written sworn statement detailing the traffic violation
and it is signed by the law enforcement officer who
issued the ticket. Remember, it is your Constitutional
right to plead “Not Guilty” which may lead to a plea
bargain or trial which is why we advise this route. You
can always change your plea later on, and if an
acceptable plea bargain is offered, you will ultimately be
pleading guilty to that reduced charge.
