Long Island Lawyer Working Tirelessly to Help Clients Avoid Traffic Ticket Penalties in Nassau County
Most drivers will receive at least one traffic ticket at some point in their lives. If it happens to you, it’s important to know what you should do after being issued a ticket. You may think that paying the fine is the best way to handle your traffic ticket, but that’s not the case. If you are issued a traffic ticket, discuss your legal options with criminal defense attorney Gianni Karmily as soon as possible.
What Are the Most Common Types of Traffic Tickets?
Traffic tickets are issued to drivers on Long Island for a number of reasons. Some of the most common reasons why traffic tickets are issued include:
- Speeding
- Using an electronic device such as a cell phone while operating a motor vehicle
- Running a red light
- Running or rolling through a stop sign
- Reckless driving
- Failing to yield to pedestrians
- Illegal lane changes
- Failure to signal when turning or changing lanes
- Driving unlawfully on the shoulder of the road
- Driving past a school bus while passengers are getting on or off
Most traffic tickets are issued during traffic stops conducted by law enforcement officers. However, there are also cameras in New York that can detect certain violations even when police officers are not around. If a camera detects a violation, it will capture an image of your license plate and you will receive a traffic ticket in the mail.
What Are the Penalties For Traffic Tickets In Nassau County, Long Island?
The penalties for a traffic ticket can vary depending on the nature of the traffic violation and your prior driving record. But in general, the penalties of getting a traffic ticket may include fines and points on your driver’s license. These may not seem significant, but accumulating points on your driver’s license can lead to increased insurance rates or the suspension or revocation of your driving privileges.
How Does the Driver Point System Work?
The Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) will add points to your driving record if you are convicted of a traffic violation. The points are not added immediately after the ticket is issued. Instead, the points are added when you are convicted of the violation, which is when you pay the fine.
The number of points that are added to your driving record will vary depending on the offense. The points assigned for common traffic violations are:
- Speeding
- 1-10 mph over: 3
- 11-20 mph over: 4
- 21-30 mph over: 6
- 31-40 mph over: 8
- Over 40: 11
- Reckless driving: 5
- Tailgating: 4
- Improper cell phone use: 5
- Illegal lane change: 3
- Failing to stop for an unloading or loading school bus: 5
- Failing to stop at a red light or stop sign: 3
Points are not assigned for every violation. For example, points are not added for pedestrian, bicycle, or parking violations.
There are penalties for accumulating too many points on your record. If you accumulate 6 or more points on your record within an 18-month period, you will be required to pay a Driver Responsibility Assessment fine. If you accumulate 11 or more points on your record within an 18-month period, your license will be suspended. It is illegal to operate a motor vehicle with a suspended license, so this suspension could have a huge impact on your daily life.
Should You Pay Traffic Ticket Fines?
Many people believe the only way to handle a traffic ticket is to pay the fine. But paying the fine is the same as admitting that you are guilty of committing the traffic violation. By admitting guilt, you are agreeing to accept the penalties of a traffic ticket, including points on your driver’s license, which could lead to higher insurance rates and the loss of driving privileges.
Don’t pay a traffic ticket fine without speaking to an attorney first. Attorney Gianni Karmily may be able to fight your traffic ticket so you can avoid the consequences of a traffic violation. Let him review your case to determine if it is possible to beat your ticket or at least reduce it and protect your driving record.
Set Up A Case Evaluation With Our Experienced Traffic Ticket Attorney In Nassau County, Long Island
Have you been issued a traffic ticket on Long Island? If so, seek legal representation from skilled traffic ticket lawyer Gianni Karmily right away. Don’t admit guilt by paying the fine associated with your ticket—fight back with the help of Gianni Karmily. To schedule a case evaluation with Law Firm of Gianni Karmily, PLLC, call 516-630-3405 or fill out the form on this website.