Serving Westchester County & New York City

​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

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

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

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

Even the best drivers may find themselves the target of a police car’s sirens and flashing lights. When you're pulled over, be sure you following the protocol below to ensure you don't escalate the situation: 1. As soon as you realize you're being pulled over, use your turning signal and change lanes until you can stop in a place that is safe for both you and the officer. Then turn off your engine and roll down your window. 2. If it’s dark, put on your interior car lights and

Just as you should never automatically plead guilty to a traffic ticket (see http://bit.ly/2Etdv45), you should also refrain from quickly pleading guilty to a charge of Driving While Intoxicated (DWI), also known as Driving Under the Influence (DUI). The fines, penalties, and consequences of a guilty DWI conviction are steep. Mandatory fines ranging from $300-$10,000. Jail terms ranging from 15 days to 7 years for a felony (2nd DWI within 10 years). Mandatory license suspensi

While there are no set rules about at what age a person needs to give up his or her driver's license in New York, the state does have special rules for older drivers. The aim of these rules to is to make sure that everyone on the road can respond quickly and effectively to hazardous conditions. If you're a senior citizen driver, here's what you need to know: 1. You will probably need to get a vision test from the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) or bring the results of a v

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

Most people think the winter is the most dangerous time of the year for driving because of snow and ice but the summer comes with its own dangers. In fact, the most dangerous time to drive is actually August. In order, to stay safe it is important to understand what makes summer months so dangerous so that you can protect yourself and your family. The first factor that increases the danger of summer driving is that there are more teens on the road. Since school is out teenage

If you end up going to traffic court for a traffic violation you will be faced with several options as tp how to plead. It can be hard to understand the ramifications of how you plead so it is important to hire a competent traffic attorney to represent you. Below is a list of different pleas that may be made in traffic court. · Pay a Fine: is equivalent to entering a guilty plea and the offense will show up on your driving record. This means if you already have one offen

If you get caught driving in New York with a blood alcohol level of.08% or higher you will be charged with Driving While Intoxicated (DWI) also referred to as Driving Under of the Influence (DUI). However, based upon your alcohol level and other factors you may be charged with other violations with more serious penalties. Below is a chart from the New York State DMV of the different alcohol and drug related penalties. If you get charged with DWI then you need to contact a tra

If you have recently moved to New York from another state then you have 30 days to apply for a New York State License. However, if you have a valid license from a U.S. state, federal district, territory or Canadian province, then you can exchange it for a New York State License as long as it contains photo ID, is valid or has not expired for more than 24 months, has been issued at least 6 months before you’re going to exchange it, and has not been revoked, suspended, marked a