| Justice court is the main place where speeding tickets | | | | date. A good attorney will be able to appear for you in |
| are handled in most of New York State. The justice | | | | most courts so you don't have to go yourself.The |
| court system includes town courts and village courts. | | | | attorney will negotiate whatever result he can get for |
| City courts often serve the same function, but are | | | | you and let you know how much to pay and the |
| technically not justice courts. These courts handle | | | | deadline for payment.There is tremendous variety in |
| traffic tickets, a variety of criminal cases (including | | | | how cases are handled in the various traffic courts. In |
| DWI) and other violations, and some minor civil | | | | many courts, the police officers run the calendar. In |
| matters.In a few places in the state, including New | | | | some, the judges go by which attorney is ready first. |
| York City, parts of Suffolk County, and the cities of | | | | And in a few, no one seems to have any idea what |
| Buffalo and Rochester (but not the surrounding towns), | | | | the process is.Some judges will dismiss a ticket if the |
| tickets are handled by a different system called the | | | | officer does not appear for trial. Many judges will |
| Traffic Violations Bureau (perhaps the subject of a | | | | simply grant an adjournment to give the officer |
| future article). Traffic Violations Bureau is a world of its | | | | another chance. While that might appear unfair, in |
| own, and is considered by attorneys to be much more | | | | reality the process gives the defendant many |
| difficult than the justice court system.Typically a driver | | | | opportunities to recover if they miss a date. A |
| will get a speeding ticket somewhere in the state, and | | | | common mistake many people make is that they |
| won't know what to do with it. Traffic tickets in NY are | | | | assume the date on the ticket is a trial date. It is not. |
| not as clear as other states. They usually don't say | | | | The officer does not have to appear for that date |
| what you owe. They tell you to respond within 48 | | | | (and neither do you).Some judges will not accept deals |
| hours, and then in another spot tell you to appear in | | | | if they think the reduction is too great. Other judges will |
| court on a certain date.You can respond by mail, and in | | | | approve any deal. In certain counties, for example, for |
| most courts it's okay to be late (though certainly not | | | | a speed of more than 25 mph over the limit, many |
| recommended). In many counties north and west of | | | | judges will insist that the deal must still be a speed, |
| Albany, an attorney can resolve the ticket by mail or | | | | even if a lower one.Of course, you will find the same |
| fax with the prosecuting attorney or directly with the | | | | variety among police officers and prosecutors as |
| officer, and with the Court. In some courts, including | | | | well.Court hours vary widely too. Most larger courts |
| most of Albany County and the counties to the south, | | | | have their clerk's office open for normal business |
| someone will eventually have to appear in Court.The | | | | hours (9-5 or perhaps 8-4). Some smaller courts are |
| typical way this is handled is the attorney mails in a | | | | rarely open. Some courts have their trials at 8 am, |
| letter pleading "not guilty" and asking for a control date | | | | some during the day, and many in the evening. Some |
| or a trial date. With a control date, the case goes into | | | | courts are so busy they have multiple sessions.Some |
| limbo while the attorney negotiates with the prosecutor. | | | | courts will handle criminal matters on a different |
| With a trial date you usually want to get things | | | | schedule than regular traffic tickets. DWI cases are |
| resolved before that date, or appear in Court on that | | | | usually handled on the criminal calendar. |