New York Traffic Ticket Lawyer
We fight traffic tickets in all 62 New York counties. One flat fee. No court appearances required. We handle everything — you get on with your life.
Text a photo of your ticket to (631) 678-8993
We’ll tell you the points, fines, insurance impact, and your options. Most people hear back within minutes.
Or call toll-free: (888) 275-2620. Available 24/7.
New York Changed the Point System on February 16, 2026
• The DMV look-back period expanded from 18 months to 24 months — points stay on your record longer and overlap more.
• New tiered consequences: 4–6 pts = warning letter, 7–10 pts = mandatory Driver Improvement Clinic, 11+ pts = suspension hearing.
• Several violations now carry higher point values: construction zone speeding (8 pts), school bus (8 pts), DWI (11 pts), and more.
• Fighting your ticket matters more now than ever. A conviction that used to age off your record in 18 months now counts for 24. See the full updated points chart.
Why You Should Never Just Pay a Traffic Ticket
Paying a traffic ticket is pleading guilty. The conviction is permanent. And the fine on the ticket is the smallest part of the cost.
| What You Pay | Typical Amount |
|---|---|
| Court fine | $50–$600 (depends on violation) |
| Mandatory NYS surcharge | $88 or $93 |
| DMV Driver Responsibility Assessment (6+ pts in 18 months) | $300+ ($100/year × 3 years) |
| Insurance increase (estimated) | 20%–40% for 3+ years |
| Total cost of pleading guilty | $1,000–$3,000+ |
Our flat fee to fight the ticket is a fraction of what you’ll pay if you plead guilty.
How We Fight Your Ticket
In most New York courts outside the NYC TVB, your attorney can negotiate with the prosecutor to reduce or dismiss the charge. Here’s how the process works:
1
You send us your ticket
Text a photo or call us. We’ll review the charge, the court, your record, and give you a flat-fee quote.
2
We enter your plea and appear on your behalf
You don’t go to court. We handle all appearances, filings, and communications with the court and prosecutor.
3
We negotiate the best outcome
We push for a reduction to a non-moving violation (zero points) or outright dismissal. We’ll tell you the result and your options.
Types of Tickets We Fight
| Violation | Points | Risk |
|---|---|---|
| Speeding (VTL 1180) | 3–11 | VARIES |
| Cell phone / texting (VTL 1225-c/d) | 5 | MODERATE |
| Red light (VTL 1111) | 3 | LOW |
| Stop sign (VTL 1172) | 3 | LOW |
| Following too closely (VTL 1129) | 4 | MODERATE |
| Disobeyed traffic device (VTL 1110) | 3 | LOW |
| Move Over Law (VTL 1144-a) | 3 | LOW |
| Seat belt / child restraint (VTL 1229-c) | 3 | LOW |
| Unsafe lane change / weaving (VTL 1128) | 3 | LOW |
| Construction zone speeding (VTL 1180(f)) | 8 | HIGH |
| DWI / DWAI | 11 | HIGH |
| CDL / commercial vehicle violations | Varies | HIGH |
Don’t see your violation? It doesn’t matter — we handle every type of traffic ticket in New York. Look up your specific code on our complete VTL codes page.
What Happens as Points Add Up (24-Month Look-Back)
0–3
Fine + surcharge only
4–6
Warning letter + DRA at 6
7–10
Mandatory clinic required
11+
Suspension hearing
NYC TVB vs. Town and Village Courts
Town and Village Courts (Outside NYC)
Plea bargaining is available. This is where most tickets are resolved — and where an attorney makes the biggest difference. A speeding ticket can often be reduced to a non-moving violation with zero points and no insurance impact.
NYC Traffic Violations Bureau (TVB)
No plea bargaining. Your only options are guilty or trial. There is no prosecutor to negotiate with. This makes experienced representation even more critical — the defense has to be built for trial from day one.
CDL Holders — Every Ticket Is a Career Decision
If you hold a Commercial Driver’s License, any moving violation — even one received in a personal vehicle — goes on your driving record and can affect your CSA score, your carrier’s safety rating, and your ability to work. Speeding 15+ mph over the limit, cell phone use, and following too closely are all classified as “Serious Traffic Violations” under federal law. Two within three years means a 60-day CDL disqualification. Three means 120 days.
Under the February 2026 changes, the 24-month look-back means prior violations stay relevant longer. A CDL holder should never plead guilty to any traffic ticket without consulting an attorney. Learn more about CDL consequences.
Out-of-State and Canadian Drivers
If you received a ticket in New York but hold a license from another state, you do not need to return for the court date. We handle everything on your behalf. New York participates in the Driver License Compact — your conviction will be reported to your home state, which may add points or take other action.
New York has reciprocal agreements with Ontario and Quebec. Canadian drivers face demerit points and insurance increases from New York convictions. We represent Canadian drivers in all 62 counties.
Why Drivers Choose This Firm
You hire a real attorney — not an app. When you hire us, you hire Attorney Ronald Cook, a named attorney with over 25 years of experience handling traffic tickets across New York. You know exactly who is handling your case. We are not a referral service, and we do not hand your case off to a random attorney.
All 62 New York counties. Whether you were ticketed in Manhattan, on the Thruway, in the Adirondacks, or in a village speed trap — we cover every court in the state. See all the counties we cover.
Flat fees. No surprises. You know what it costs before you commit. No hourly billing. No hidden charges.
No court appearances required. In the vast majority of cases, we appear on your behalf and you never set foot in a courtroom.
Attorney Cook literally wrote the book. Ronald S. Cook is the author of Beating Traffic Tickets, available on Amazon.
Over 3,000 client testimonials across Google, BBB, Trustpilot, and other platforms. Our Google reviews — from just one office location — include over 850 five-star ratings. View verified client reviews. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a traffic ticket lawyer actually get my ticket reduced or dismissed?
In most town and village courts outside NYC, yes. The majority of traffic tickets we handle are reduced to non-moving violations — which carry zero points and no insurance impact. In NYC TVB courts, there is no plea bargaining, so the case goes to trial. We prepare every TVB case for trial from the start.
How much does it cost to hire you?
We charge a flat fee that depends on the court, the violation, and your driving record. Text us a photo of your ticket and we’ll give you a quote — usually within minutes. The flat fee is almost always less than the total cost of pleading guilty when you factor in fines, surcharges, DRA fees, and insurance increases.
Do I need to go to court?
No. In the vast majority of cases, we appear on your behalf. You do not need to take time off work, travel, or sit in a courtroom. This applies to both in-state and out-of-state drivers.
How long do points stay on my record?
Points count toward DMV administrative action for 24 months from the date of the violation (changed from 18 months in February 2026). The conviction itself stays on your driving record permanently — points do not “erase” the conviction.
What if I got a ticket in another county far from where I live?
We handle tickets in all 62 New York counties — from Suffolk and Nassau to Erie, Monroe, Albany, and everywhere in between. Your ticket doesn’t have to be local for us to fight it.
I’m from out of state. Do I have to come back to New York?
No. We handle everything on your behalf. You do not need to return to New York. Your conviction will be reported to your home state under the Driver License Compact, which is why fighting it in New York matters — it protects your record at home too.
Can I fight a ticket I already paid?
Once you pay a traffic ticket, you have pleaded guilty and the conviction is on your record. In very limited circumstances, a coram nobis petition may be used to vacate the conviction. The best time to fight a ticket is before you pay it.
Fight Your Ticket — We Handle Everything
No court appearance required. One flat fee. All 62 New York counties.
Staff available 24/7 | Free intake consultation
Related: Updated Points Chart (Feb. 2026) | NY VTL Codes | Speeding Tickets | Cell Phone Tickets | NYC TVB | Traffic Stop Guide
Last reviewed by Attorney Ronald S. Cook — April 2026
This page is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice.
