License Suspension

If you accumulate 11 points or more on your license with dates of your violation(s) occurring within an 18-month period, your driver’s license will be suspended.
License suspensions can be definite or indefinite. A definite license suspension comes with a pre-determined beginning and end date, after which you can pay your suspension termination fee and have a valid license again. For an indefinite license suspension, you will not be provided with an end date. Instead, the order you will receive will outline what actions you need to take in order to have your license made valid again. This may include paying a fine, responding to a violation, paying your state tax debt or other such items. You will need to pay a suspension termination fee as well once you have completed the actions provided with your license suspension order. But a suspension is not the worst thing that can happen with your license.
License Revocation
A license revocation is the more serious version of a suspension. That is because a revocation actually cancels your license, forcing you to have to reapply for one once the revocation period has ended. However, before you can obtain a new license, you must first request approval from the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) Driver Improvement Unit (DIU). Based on your driving record, however, approval is not always guaranteed. In addition, you may need to re-take the written exam at the DMV as well as pass a road test once again.
The New York State Driver’s Assessment Fee Can Cost You Hundreds of Dollars In Addition To Fines, Penalties, And Surcharges!
The Driver Responsibility Assessment is a fee you must pay to the DMV over the course of a 3-year period if you are convicted of certain traffic offenses in New York State. It is also a mandatory fee you will be instructed to pay if you accumulate 6 or more points on your driving record within 18 months. This fee is in addition to any fines, penalties, or surcharges that you must pay for a traffic conviction. If you receive 6 points on your driving record for violations committed during a period of 18 months, the annual assessment fee is $100 for a period of 3 years. The minimum amount that you must pay each year is the annual assessment, meaning you could potentially pay the entire 3-year maximum in a single year. The total assessment for the 3 years is a minimum of $300.
If you receive more than 6 points on your driving record during a period of 18 months, the annual assessment fee will include an additional $25 for each point over the original 6 points.
Let’s look at an example. Reckless driving, which is a moving violation of VTL 1212, is a 5-point ticket that can be issued if you are caught knowingly driving in a dangerous manner. Let’s say you were driving 55 MPH in a 25 MPH zone (6-points) on a rainy day. In addition to your 5-point reckless endangerment ticket, you can also receive the 6-point speeding ticket. That gives you a total of 11 points against your license. Not only are you facing a mandatory suspension if you are convicted; you are also looking at an annual assessment fee of $225 for the next 3 years, as you have accumulated an additional 5 points over the initial 6 points at $25 per additional point. That is a total of $675 over 3 years! If your license was not already suspended, failure to pay this fee will result in a suspension. If your license was already suspended, however, failure to pay this fee will prolong the suspension.

Increased Insurance Premiums

Most New York drivers are already paying too much for car insurance. Moving violation tickets are looked upon unfavorably by insurance companies. If you are convicted of even one moving violation, your insurance premiums will increase substantially. In fact, some studies have found that a single violation can increase your insurance premium by 22%! It is best to try and avoid having a moving violation conviction on your license if you do not want to have to pay increased insurance premiums.

I Received a Moving Violation Ticket – Will I Have Points Added to My License?

Yes. In fact, points stay on your record for 18 months. And, as pointed out above, point accumulations can have serious repercussions. In fact, most of the potential consequences of a moving violation or other traffic infraction kick into effect because of the points they accumulate. If you have no other reason, simply preventing the accumulation of points is reason enough to hire The Law Offices of Michael H. Ricca P.C. today!

I Received a Moving Violation Ticket – Will My License Be Suspended Or Revoked?

Possibly. Some moving violation convictions carry an automatic revocation of your driver’s license. In addition to this, depending on how many points your moving violation adds to your driving record, you may face a license suspension. All it takes is 11 points for your license to be suspended. These points add up quickly too, so avoiding any type of conviction is ideal. If you are in the probationary period of your driver’s license and plead guilty or are convicted of a moving violation, your license will be suspended. An example of a moving violation that will result in a mandatory 1-year license revocation is driving without insurance (VTL 319-1).

I Received a Moving Violation Ticket – Will I Go To Jail And Have A Criminal Record?

Possibly. Depending on the actual moving violation, a license suspension or revocation and Driver Responsibility Fee (as discussed below) may be the least of your worries. Some moving violation offenses are misdemeanor offenses while others are felony offenses. These are serious charges that could cause you to have a criminal record.
Some misdemeanor moving violations include producing an invalid insurance ID card (VTL 319-2), reckless driving (VTL 1212), and aggravated unlicensed operation in the 2nd degree (VTL 511-2(a) (ii)). If you plead guilty or are convicted of aggravated unlicensed operation in the 2nd degree, you may receive up to 6 months in jail or 3 years of probation, plus fines and surcharges. You will not simply pay a fine and be on your way. Certain other misdemeanor moving violations carry mandatory jail time or probation as well.

Some felony moving violations include aggravated unlicensed operation in the 1st degree (VTL 511-3(a)(i)), facilitating aggravated unlicensed operation (VTL 511-a-4), and willfully removing, altering/defacing or destroying special ID number issued by Commissioner (VTL 421-2). If you plead guilty or are convicted of aggravated unlicensed operation in the 1st degree, you may receive up to 4 years in jail or 5 years of probation, plus fines and surcharges. Many felony moving violations carry mandatory jail time or probation as well. 

It's crucial to remember that having a criminal record can have serious consequences beyond just driving. A criminal record could lead to job loss, creating financial strain for you and your family. It can also result in being denied entry into college, loans, and housing. Whether it's a felony moving violation or a more severe offense, in the eyes of the law and other entities, a criminal record is still seen as such. Avoiding conviction for any type of moving violation is essential for your long-term well-being.CONTACT US TODAY FOR ASSISTANCE

At The Law Offices of Michael H. Ricca P.C., we understand that a moving violation conviction carries more than just initial fines and penalties. With potential jail time and lasting repercussions on your record, it can significantly impact your life by causing unemployment and financial instability.

Relying on self-representation or public defenders may not be in your best interest when dealing with a moving violation case. By choosing The Law Offices of Michael H. Ricca P.C., you'll receive the dedicated care that your case deserves along with access to Nassau County's top-notch moving violations attorney.

Through our unwavering representation efforts focused on every aspect of each moving violation ticket, we aim to help reduce or even eliminate any convictions related to these offenses.Call us today for an obligation-free telephone consultation so we can work towards achieving the best possible outcome for handling your moving violations.