Many drivers in New York end up getting a traffic ticket at some point. Although it might be tempting to simply plead guilty and pay the ticket, you should avoid doing that. Instead, you should fight the ticket by pleading not guilty and setting up a Traffic Violations Bureau hearing.
Why should you fight a traffic ticket?
Traffic violations are very common. While many drivers get tickets for one violation or another, it’s not always ideal to pay it and move on. There are certain reasons why you should fight the ticket instead. For instance, sometimes, there are mistakes on a ticket. If traffic signs were obstructed at the time or you have footage from your dashcam that shows you didn’t violate any traffic laws, it’s wise to fight back.
Even if you might have violated a traffic law, you should still plead not guilty and fight the ticket. If you garner enough points against your driving record, it can increase the risk that your driver’s license will be suspended. It’s not worth the risk of compromising your license. Instead, you might want to plead not guilty to the ticket and schedule a TVB hearing.
How do you schedule a TVB hearing?
As long as the traffic violation you’re accused of is civil and not criminal, you can schedule your hearing through the Department of Motor Vehicles Traffic Violations Bureau. However, you cannot have a TVB hearing for red light offenses or parking violations.
You can schedule your TVB hearing by phone, mail or online and fill out a Statement in Place of Personal Appearance. A hearing will be held and you should be notified via email regarding the decision. TVB hearings must take place in the area where tickets are issued.
It’s important to submit your Statement in Place of Personal Appearance or appear in person at your TVB hearing. If you don’t do one or the other, your license will be suspended, you may be convicted and you will have to pay fines on top of your original ticket.
After you have chosen a date and time for your TVB hearing, you can reschedule it if necessary. However, you can only do this once to change the date and time of your hearing.