Six employees of the Nassau County Traffic And Parking Violations Agency were fired this week for ticket-fixing. This agency handles roughly 300,000 traffic tickets, speeding tickets and parking tickets issued in the un-incorporated parts of Nassau County. It handles roughly 300,000 tickets and generates over $28 million per year for the county. But, apparently friends and family of these 6 employees received “VIP” treatment having their cased dismissed without a fine or blemish on their driving record.
I personally have been going to this court for years and successfully disposed over 100s of cases in this court. I never witnessed anything improper but, then again, the way this court is set up is very different from most New York traffic courts. You wait in a large courtroom to conference your case. After the conference, you continue to wait in this room. When your case is called, you are escorted with a few other motorists/traffic attorneys into one of three smaller courtrooms for your case to be formally resolved. The lack of openness of the three courtrooms is unique. In most traffic courts, your case is resolved in a more public manner.
The shenanigans here took two forms. First, they were mixed in with legitimate dismissals. Specifically, large stacks of tickets earmarked for dismissal were given to judges and the friend and family tickets were mixed into these stacks. Others were dismissed when clerks went into the court’s computer system and simply deleted them. Other clerks knew New safeguards are being put in place and criminal charges may be brought against the fired employees.
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I went to pay my ticket and had some issue the woman behind the did not like my attitude so she had me through out and refused my payment even though it was directed at her she took it personally wow
Catherine,
Sorry to hear. When you go back, choose a different clerk.
Matthew Weiss
Was in an accident, person in front of me stopped short on the highway-looks like she hit person in front of her. Floor was wet from rain earlier, and I slid and hit her from behind. Problem is, the cop showed up 30 minutes after accident and gave me a driving to close ticket, which I’m fighting because he was not present. Accident time was 30 minutes prior to his arrival. Will I be offered something in court? down to parking violation no points????
Veronica Bruno,
You should be offered a plea deal. If not, the fact that the officer did not personally observe the offense is a strong defense.
Matthew Weiss
This court whole system is screwed…its nothing but a scam to get money from pedestrians. I got 3 tickets because i looked at a state trooper in his hiding spot on the southern state near exit 15..eastbound..gave me a speeding, recklessdriving and switching lanes u safely ..but…i was not speeding..didnt switch any lanes..and damn sure wasnt reckless driving..i even pulled over before he pulled me over …in the court they try to offer u jaywalking or w.e deals to make it seem like…they are tryna help you..but u still gotta pay all these fees.
Keon,
You are not alone in your opinion that counties, cities, towns all use the traffic laws to “tax” citizens. This is a huge money-maker for municipalities.
Matthew Weiss
I received 4 tickets in 1999 no insurance, no registration, no license and a speeding ticket.II went to this court in in 2005 when I finally got a court date because I had plead not guilty to all except the speeding ticket I explained that it was a rental and if the officer would have ran the plates or checked the sticker on the window he would have seen there was insurance and legit reg.and that my license were valid they says prove it. Unfortunately the rental car company close d,Vantastic Vanlines was the name of company.so I was unable to prove legitimacy. DMV only go back 4-6 years the only one I could prove is that my license were valid threw an abstract wich they say is not valid proof. Really!! So they said I been convicted of all tickets by default and case is closed and cannot be reopened and I had to pay 1800$.
Lamont,
You haven’t asked a question but, from what you write, I assume you want to know if there is anything that you can do. My answer is no. You waited too long and have been convicted by default. You need to pay what you owe to clear the suspensions.
Sorry.
Matthew Weiss
My recent experience at traffic court, 16-Cooper St. Hempstead left me very disturbed regarding our judicial system. My 3 tickets dealt with a School Safety Camera Program which to my knowledge was dismantled. I am from out of state so I requested a hearing of all 3 tickets to be heard at one time. Instead I received a late fine fee on 2 tickets. When I was called by a hearing officer I thought I was on the game show “Let’s make a deal.” He said, “Here’s what I can offer you, I’ll remove the $50 in late fees.” When I tried to explain he said, “That’s the offer and if you push me I’ll leave the fees on.” Is this the proper way to conduct business?
The attitude of some staff, especially in view of a failed camera program is at best callous. We all realize that this is not about justice or safety but a way to raise money. I understand this but resent the hypocrisy and being talked to in a condescending manner.
Upon leaving I urged the people sitting in this room to find out what politicians were responsible for this situation and deal with them on election day.
The court officers were not happy. One said, “One more word and I’m cuffing you.” I was forced to leave and denied the request to pay my fines.
I equate this to extortion. Is this what our judicial system has come too?
I Kevin R Archer post this comment because i believe i am one of those individuals who pay the ticket no.wd039124-1 which was issued on 6/18/01 in August 2001, was never wiped out of the system and i am now paying the consequences of someones error i also had to pay $167 in on 02/10/09 for a $70 ticket i already took care of i am also out of a job because of someone elses negligence cost me to have my class A cdl suspended for a year, and mind you this ticket in question was giving to me on a class d 35537228 id…..very dissapointed