Why You Should Fight to Defend Yourself From a Speeding Ticket


Speeding is very common and speeding tickets are handed out a lot. But it is important for you to be aware of how to protect and defend yourself from when receiving a speeding ticket because New york driver’s can received between 3-11 points for these infractions. You need to know this since the Traffic Violations Bureau does not allow for any plea-bargaining.

So the first step now is to compute how many points are involved in your case. To make it easier, please see the chart below.


1-10 mph past the speed limit - 3 points

11-20 mph past the speed limit - 4 points

21-30 mph past the speed limit - 6 points

31-40 mph past the speed limit (possible suspension) - 8 points

Over 40 mph past the speed limit (feasible suspension) - 11 points


These points are calculated from the time and date of your offense; even if you are convicted some years later. You must also return within 18 months of receiving your ticket in order to see how many other points are on your record. Lastly, if you collect over three speeding tickets within 18 months, this will lead to an automatic revocation of your driver’s license for 6 months.


The next step is to find out if your case is returnable at a Traffic Violations Bureau judge. In New York, there are 2 traffic court systems and which one you go to is very important as it will determine what you can and cannot do. If your case is not within the TVB, you have the option to handle it through a plea deal.


The TVB court handles and protects New York traffic tickets given within…


  • New York City

  • Buffalo

  • Rochester


A New York traffic law violation that was issued in other parts of New York will not be covered by a TVB court.


This is an important distinction for you because TVB courts do not allow plea-bargaining. In a TVB court, you either plead guilty or not guilty -- you get your reading which will say if you win or lose if you chose not guilty. In a court like this, you’ll really need a lawyer that specializes in speeding cases to represent you and defend your case.


Regardless of how you feel about the matter, most people aren’t aware of how to properly defend themselves in court. Here’s a list of common mistakes made by people who attempt to defend themselves in court:


  • Failure to cross-examine

  • Ignoring the officer’s testimony

  • Failure to ask questions

  • Simply telling the judge their story


That last one gets special mention as many people feel that it is a solid enough defense to get them out of their ticket. It is not recommended and rarely ever works.


An experienced traffic lawyer would handle it much differently. For example, they could listen to an officer’s testimony and hear that the accused was heading southbound along the Long Island Expressway. If the ticket were to suggest anything to the contrary, such as the accused actually heading northbound, then this would provide enough evidence for the judge to dismiss the case.


A speeding lawyer knows exactly what to look out for and what type of questions to ask. They will know your defense options and will know exactly how to react when presented with evidence and testimonies.


In closing, should you ever get a speeding ticket and you want to defend yourself in traffic court, it would be in your best interest to get a lawyer that specializes in handling speeding cases to ensure you get the best chance of winning.

Law Office Of Isaac Abraham 7 E Hoffman Ave Lindenhurst, NY 11757 (631) 412-2859 http://trafficlawyerlongisland.com