Anything can happen in the Bronx. It is true that this borough of New York is always on the go, as its 1.4 million residents can attest. The Bronx is home to many large and successful companies, and New Yorkers and people from all over the world come to the Bronx and pass through it. The Cross Bronx Expressway, Bronx River Parkway, Pelham Parkway, Mosholu Parkway, and Hutchinson River Parkway are all key highways on which the NYPD enforce the vehicle and traffic law.
Unfortunately, sometimes drivers go a bit too fast as they go down I-87, I-95 or I-678. They might not see the NYPD police officer they text and drive. Or they commit any one of the long lists of infractions that the police may catch you with.
If that happens, there is no reason to panic. Our experienced team of NYC traffic attorneys can help you out. Read more to learn who we are and what we can do for you. The Bronx Traffic Violations Bureau is located at 696 East Fordham Road, Bronx, NY 10458 and adjudicates most vehicle and traffic law matters issued in the borough.
Common Reason Drivers Hire a Traffic Ticket Attorney in the Bronx
There are many reasons why an NYPD police officer can stop you in the Bronx for a moving violation. There are many laws on the books that some drivers don’t even know about.
Speeding Tickets
This is one of the most common reasons that people get ticketed driving through the Bronx. It is easy to lose track of how quickly you’re going and wind up going over the speed limit. In fact, the maximum speed limit on Bronx parkways and expressways is 50 mph (not 55 mph). For your first conviction, your speeding ticket can range between $90 and $600 based on New York State law. However, if you’re speeding less than 10 mph over the limit in the Bronx or anywhere in New York State, your ticket will usually be between $90 and $150.
On top of this, you will be assessed points against your driver’s license. We are going to go more into this later, but more serious speeding infractions bring about more points on your license. For example, if you are going fewer than 10 mph over the speed limit you will be assessed 3 points. If you are going 21-30 mph over the speed limit, you will be assessed 6 points against your license.
Fight a License Suspension
There are many different reasons that your license may be suspended. For example, if you did not pay for a previous ticket or you got too many traffic tickets over an 18 month period, your license may be suspended.
The law allows people to fight their Bronx traffic tickets. Many people rely on their cars to get to work, and for many people, their cars are their work if they drive commercially. Our team of experienced lawyers can appear for you so you will not have to attend court.
Reckless Driving
Reckless driving is when the driver operates their vehicle “in a manner which unreasonably interferes with the free and proper use of the public highway or unreasonably endangers users of the public highway.” If you drift into another lane, you might not get charged with reckless driving. If you go plowing down the other lane while swerving and speeding, that may constitute reckless driving.
For the first offense, there is up to a $300 fine and a surcharge. There is also the possibility that an offender spends time in jail as this is a criminal offense. On top of that, you may incur 5 points on your license. Summons issued for this offense is returnable in criminal court, not the Bronx Traffic Violations Bureau.
Red Light Tickets
Many drivers have felt the urge to run a red light. If you’re sitting at an intersection late at night, it seems like you can just go without hurting anyone. Or, if you are close to making it, you may push through despite the red color. Weiss and Associates, PC defends against red light tickets (except those issued by the camera). Such tickets carry 3 points and a minimum fine of $250 plus a surcharge. If you are cited by an NYPD officer in the Bronx for running a red light, call us!
Obstructing Intersection Tickets
When you can’t make it all the way across the far intersection when you have a green light, you are blocking the people who are driving the other way. In NYC, this is often referred to as “blocking the box” or “gridlocking”. If a police officer sees you obstructing an intersection and issued you a traffic ticket, you will have two points assessed against you, and will have to pay a fine of $115.
Stop Sign Tickets
Failing to stop at a stop sign in the Bronx can lead to up to 3 points on your driver’s license. On top of that, you can see a fine of up to $150 for the first offense. When you are at a stop sign, it is important that all four wheels come to a stop.
Cell Phone And Texting While Driving Tickets
Driving and using your cell phone is always a bad idea. Many deaths and injuries can be avoided by keeping cell phones in pockets. We recommend that you always pay attention to the road while you are driving.
The first offense for this will usually be $80 and $200. There is an additional $88 surcharge. Your license will also have 5 points added.
Points and Fines Associated with Bronx Traffic Tickets
We mentioned fines and points a few times up there. It would be helpful to discuss what these mean in more detail.
Fines are money that you need to pay to the government. More serious infractions result in steeper fines. If you don’t pay these fines, your license may get suspended. There are usually surcharges as well, which are basically processing fees.
Points are more abstract. If you get 11+ points over an eighteen-month period, your license will be suspended for a certain period of time. Different violations incur different points. It is a good idea to fight your ticket because if you get too many points over 18 months you won’t be able to legally drive.
Why Hire a Traffic Ticket Attorney in the Bronx
Most people don’t know the ins and outs of the legal system, like effectively cross-examining the police officer. That is where we can step in. We have already helped thousands of people in the Bronx with their tickets.
Many people view a traffic ticket as just an annoyance. While it is annoying, it can be much more than that. If you have points on your record, that means that the next offense robs you of your ability to drive. That is something that you can avoid if you have your charge reduced or dismissed.
The fines are not the only payment that you have to worry about. When you have a speeding ticket on your record, your insurance will usually charge you more. A ticket that seems like it only costs a couple of hundred bucks can end up costing several thousand dollars over the long run. That means that you need to fight your ticket.
Common Bronx Traffic Ticket Questions
Should I fight my Bronx traffic ticket case even if I did it?
Yes. The court must prove their case against you, which means even if you did it the police might not have enough evidence to successfully prove their case. In addition, even if they do have the evidence they need, we can work out a deal so that your penalty is not as steep.
What if I don’t answer my ticket?
That is a bad idea. If you don’t answer your ticket, you may get your license suspended. There is also a $70 suspension termination fee.
How can I reduce points?
If you take a New York Driver Safety Class, then you will have up to four points removed from your license.
Why Let Weiss & Associates, PC Fight Your Traffic Ticket Case
At Weiss & Associates, PC we are committed to our values. We are always going to make sure that you are completely informed every step of the way. Our thousands of satisfied clients always enjoy how we let them know exactly what is going on with their case at all times.
Our goal is to make things as simple as possible. There are dictionaries full of legal jargon that take years to understand, but our mission is to make that uncomplicated for you.
Call us today for FREE traffic ticket advice! We are ready to help.