Legal Question in Traffic Law in New York

Nassau Cty, Long Island double-charges surcharge on driving ticket reductions!

I pled not guilty by mail to a minor traffic violation, crossing a road marking. Carried a 100 fine and 50 surchage, total $150. (It was my first violation or ticket in my 30 years of driving!) At my hearing, a prosecutor said, ''I'll reduce your ticket by $25.00 and no points will be placed on your record.'' He then charged me $125, plus another $50 surcharge for the reduction, for a total of $175--which was more than the original charge of $150! Was this fair? Isn't this practice ''double dipping on surcharges?'' or is this the norm? Thank you


Asked on 1/18/07, 12:03 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
Joel Salinger Law Office of Joel R. Salinger

Re: Nassau Cty, Long Island double-charges surcharge on driving ticket reductions!

I wish I could tell you that you are right but that is not the case. You were offered a plea bargain for a reduction of the charge and the new charge carried no point on your dirvers license. If you had pled to the original charge your insurance could have gone up and you could be subject to the new drivers responsiblity assessment from DMV. Your fine on the original charge was offered at $100 and the state mandated surcharge was $50.00. To plea bargain you were fined $125 but the surcharge stayed the same.

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Answered on 1/18/07, 1:17 pm


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