Serving Westchester County & New York City

A new New York State law was enforced on November 1, 2019: any child under the age of 2 who is riding in a vehicle is required to be in a rear-facing car seat. If a child outgrows an infant-only seat before reaching his or her second birthday, a convertible or all-in-one car seat with higher rear-facing height and weight limits should be installed in the rear-facing position until the child reaches the rear-facing weight or height limit set by the car seat manufacturer. Accor

​Being convicted for a traffic violation can become a real headache—and an expense. For every traffic violation with which you are charged, if the traffic court finds you guilty you can face serious penalties, including having points added to your license. For example, in New York State, if you're convicted of speeding 25 miles over the posted speed limit you can receive 6 points on your license and if you are convicted of improper cell phone use you can receive 5 points on y

Now is the perfect time to clean up your driving record so that you can start the Fall season without unpaid traffic tickets looming over you. It is also a good time to gain some understanding about what you should never do when pulled over by a traffic cop. Here are the biggest mistakes I see people make when it comes to getting a traffic ticket: 1. PLEADING GUILTY TO THE VIOLATION. There is almost no negative consequence that can result in pleading not guilty to a traffic t

It's true that, with the summer approaching, exam season is almost over. But why not take a few minutes of your time to test yourself on today's traffic laws. Take this quiz to assess your traffic law IQ and avoid getting into legal trouble on the roads. 1. You can't get a ticket for cell phone use as long as you're speaking through a Bluetooth wireless connection. True___ False _____ 2. It’s perfectly okay to toot your horn if you’re trying to urge the driver in front of you

Dead batteries are a reality for far too many people during peak winter months. Even if you're a member of AAA (American Automobile Association), roadside assistance can be slow because of high demand. Be safe by stocking your car with the following emergency essentials. It can mean the difference between being stranded or arriving at your destination without aggravation. 1. Spare tire 2. Tire jack 3. Tire iron 4. Tire inflator and sealer (to help you plug a leak until you g

My clients are inevitably shocked, dismayed, and frustrated when they have their driver's licenses suspended. The most common reasons for getting a definite suspension order in New York State are: not having automobile liability insurance having a conviction for an alcohol or drugged driving charge having received multiple traffic violations, totaling 11 points within an 18-month period not following the rules for junior drivers The reasons for receiving an indefinite suspens

​ New Year's Eve is one of the most dangerous days of the year to drive. Planning for transportation is just as important as planning what you'll wear to your New Year's Eve celebrations. Driving while intoxicated (DWI) is both a high-risk activity that can lead to tragic accidents and health consequences. it is also a serious criminal offense with costly penalties. As you can see from below, the fine for DWI (also called DUI-for Driving Under the Influence) depends on the le

Yes, you're in a rush. Yes, it's tempting when you're driving on a highway to want to drive in the less congested HOV lane. But, if you're driving alone, resist the temptation! HOV lanes are High Occupancy Vehicle lanes that are designated for cars that contain at least two people. If you're caught driving in an HOV lane without a passenger during specified rush hours, you will generally be charged with a 2-point violation and a fine of over $100. Even if you're driving in a

Bike share programs in Westchester and New York City have led to many more summonses being dispensed for cycling violations. Riding on city sidewalks, not stopping at red lights and stop signs, riding at excessive speed, and not riding on the right hand side of the road, are some of the offenses that can lead to getting a traffic ticket when biking. To dissuade cyclists from committing these illegal behaviors, White Plains is expected to soon raise the fine for cycling violat

If you're behind on paying your New York State taxes, you may be surprised to find out that you may be in danger of losing your driving privileges. In 2013, a joint effort was made between the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance and the New York Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV), with a plan to revoke the driving privileges of New York residents who have tax debts. The New York State Driver's License Suspension program specifies that if a resident has amassed m

Many parents assume that it's perfectly okay to double park outside a school when running inside to drop off or pick up their children at the beginning or end of the day. And so many were surprised last year when media reported that parents had received $100 tickets for double parking outside William Ward Elementary School in New Rochelle (http://newyork.cbslocal.com/2017/11/06/new-rochelle-parking-tickets/). While you may consider double parking a harmless habit, it is, in f

When you receive a traffic violation, it’s natural to ask yourself: “Should I hire a traffic ticket lawyer to handle this?” My advice: Call a traffic lawyer as soon as you receive the ticket to discuss your case. I always offer people a free phone consultation so they understand the issues involved and can make an informed decision. Note: you only have 15 days to answer traffic tickets so call a traffic attorney ASAP. Here’s what you need to consider when deciding whether to

The only thing more frustrating than receiving a traffic ticket may be losing one. Unfortunately, replacing a lost ticket can be harder than you think. Here's what you need to know to remedy the situation: 1. If your traffic ticket was marked Traffic Violations Bureau (TVB) on the bottom, you're in luck. Go to: https://dmv.ny.gov/tickets/get-copy-tvb-ticket, fill out the requested information, and you will be able to order a replacement. 2. If yours was a parking or moving v

A little known but very reassuring fact is that in Westchester County, under certain circumstances, speeding ticket points may be removed from your driving record— even after you pleaded guilty and have paid the fine. Eliminating Points on a Speeding Violation I have had numerous clients who pleaded guilty and paid their fines without realizing that the points for that ticket will cause their driving license to be suspended or make them liable to pay a $300 DMV drivers respon

You probably assume that if you're arrested for Driving While Intoxicated (DWI)—also known as DUI (Driving Under the Influence)—you have no defense and it's a lost cause to fight the charge. False! The penalties for a DWI/DUI charge in New York include hefty fines, the suspension or revocation of your driver's license for up to one year, and required installation of an ignition interlock device on any vehicles registered in your name. These consequences will have serious repe

You probably assume that if you're arrested for Driving While Intoxicated (DWI)—also known as DUI (Driving Under the Influence)—you have no defense and it's a lost cause to fight the charge. False! The penalties for a DWI/DUI charge in New York include hefty fines, the suspension or revocation of your driver's license for up to one year, and required installation of an ignition interlock device on any vehicles registered in your name. These consequences will have serious repe

​ ​​ ​Leaving the scene of an accident is a serious crime with maximum penalties potentially adding up to thousands of dollars in fines and years in prison. The consequences for driving away from the scene of a car accident vary, depending on whether anyone was hurt or the driver has prior convictions for the same driving offense. These are the charges and penalties you may face in New York State if you drive away from the scene of a car accident: If neither a person or anima

One of the biggest mistakes people make when receiving a traffic ticket is to automatically plead guilty and pay the fine. Instead, follow these five steps and there's a strong possibility you'll either reduce the number of points added to your driving record, eliminate points altogether, lower your fine, and and keep your car insurance low. Here's what to do: 1. REMEDY THE PROBLEM ASAP. If you receive a summons for an equipment violation, such as having tinted car windows,

As an experienced traffic attorney, I've found that few people know what the term "reckless driving" means and what its penalties are. And that's unfortunate because in New York State, reckless driving is considered a misdemeanor—which is defined as a criminal charge and results in a criminal record. Driving recklessly is not to be taken lightly, so it's important to be in the know to prevent safety and legal problems. Q. What is reckless driving? A. Reckless driving is defin

The average New Yorker pays $1,181.86 a year for car insurance premiums. However, car insurance rates vary heavily based on several factors including your driving history. According to the Department of Motor Vehicles, one of the most important factors that auto insurers look at when setting your premiums is your traffic ticket history. Their assumption is that Motorists with more traffic tickets and violations, are statistically more likely to get into traffic accidents. Usu