Although a traffic ticket is classified as an infraction, a conviction may still result in negative consequences. These consequences typically include a fine and points on your license. However, if you have been convicted of previous traffic violations, you may also be subject to a license suspension and an increase in your auto insurance premium. Fortunately, there are many different ways in which you can dispute the ticket in a New York court.
Did you prevent an even worse situation from occurring?
If you can prove that you were driving in a manner that prevented a greater harm from occurring, your ticket may be dismissed. For instance, if you were driving in an erratic fashion to avoid a stopped car or an aggressive motorist, that may be justified. The same may be true if you swerved to avoid a pedestrian or were speeding in an effort to get your pregnant wife to the hospital in a timely manner.
Did you actually do anything wrong?
It may be possible to cast doubt on the facts used to justify issuing a citation. For instance, if you can show that you were driving at or below the posted speed limit when you were pulled over for speeding, a ticket may be dismissed. You may use witness statements, video footage or other evidence in an effort to prove that an officer used poor reasoning when conducting a traffic stop or issuing a citation.
Was your citation based on objective evidence?
Police officers are often given leeway to issue tickets based on their interpretation of the law. However, subjective traffic tickets may be vulnerable to legal challenges because they are not actually based on objective evidence. In such a scenario, getting your ticket dismissed may hinge on your ability to craft a more compelling narrative.
Getting a traffic ticket dismissed may enable you to avoid fines, increased insurance rates, and other penalties. You may receive a victory in court if the officer who issued the citation fails to appear for a hearing.