VEHICLE & TRAFFIC: Traffic Tickets, Auto Insurance,
and the Department of Motor Vehicles

    Most everybody who drives a car gets a traffic ticket sooner or later. Some traffic tickets are crimes with criminal penalties, such as driving while intoxicated (DWI) or reckless driving.  If you have one of these traffic criminal charges, you should click the criminal law hyperlink and and treat the case as you would any serious crime.  But most traffic tickets are violations resulting in fines for things like speeding, running red lights, equipment violations, and illegal passing. As a practical matter, few people ever go to jail for those types of offenses. So why bother hire an attorney for traffic infractions?

    There are two primary reasons to have an attorney for traffic tickets: points and insurance.

   If you get a traffic ticket and you plead guilty, the department of motor vehicles (DMV) will assign you a certain number of "points" which go on your driving record. The table shows how many points you get for various offenses. Too many points and DMV will revoke your license, whether or not the judge gives you a break. It is always good to have as few points as possible on your driving record. Whenever you get a ticket, it is a good idea to see if you can get the charge reduced or dismissed so you don't accumulate points.

    Your auto insurance rate is the other major reason for you to fight a traffic ticket. The DMV computer keeps track of your moving violations, and automobile insurance companies have access to this data base. They even have access to most motor vehicle records outside of New York State if you pick up a violation in another state.  Canadian provincial motor vehicle computers also have access to the New York DMV computer records. Your insurance company will rate you based on your driving record of accidents and moving violations in all states and Canadian provinces. The worse your record, the higher your insurance rates will be. With a really bad record, your insurance company can cancel your auto insurance policy.

    If you are involved in an auto accident and you get a ticket, it is absolutely essential that you have an attorney represent you. Auto accidents result in lawsuits. If you just plead guilty to the charge, your admissions and conviction will be used against you in the civil suit. Depending on your level of insurance, that could cost you a lot of money. We can help you avoid serious financial liability.

    We handle traffic tickets for all of the counties in central New York, and most of the counties in upstate New York.  Whether you live in downtown Syracuse, or halfway across the world, call us and we will discuss your traffic ticket or license suspension situation with you.  It costs nothing to call, and it might save you violation points, increased insurance costs, or license suspension.