Suffolk County Now Charging An “Administrative Fee” On Dismissals

The Suffolk County Traffic Violations & Parking Agency, opened as of April 2013, has been great for motorists.  Motorists who plead not guilty to any Suffolk County speeding ticket or other moving violation can now negotiate plea bargains,  a much better system  rather than the “all or nothing” predecessor court.

Of course, this improvement is not without cost.  The SCTV&PA imposes the highest fines in New York State.  Recently, it added a new fee.  A $25 to $50 “administrative fee” for each dismissed ticket and it is estimated that this fee will annually generate $10 million.   The fee is explained as covering the cost of prosecuting tickets but it makes no sense to charge a motorist for a traffic ticket that was demised (as opposed to reduced or found guilty).  Lawmakers are trying to restrict this practice but, for now, the fee stands.

This fees not without precedent.  The Nassau County Traffic Violations & Parking Agency similarly charges a $30 “Driver Responsibility Fee” on most tickets processed including many types of dismissals (regardless of when issued).