If you receive a TLC or traffic ticket in New York City – or anywhere in New York State for that matter – it is wise to hire a lawyer to counsel and/or represent you. Qualified TLC and DMV lawyers often offer free initial consultations for these types of tickets, when the licensee/driver brings the summons to their office for analysis and an explanation of potential negative consequences. If the lawyer finds that there are no points or other collateral consequences – such as loss of a TLC or DMV operator’s license – an ethical lawyer will often advise drivers to simply pay the ticket or fight it without the need to pay a lawyer. If the lawyer finds significant potential negative ramifications from the ticket, they should provide details of any lawyer’s fees, along with a written receipt once the fee has been paid.
Why should a driver hire a TLC or DMV lawyer?
Save time… and time is money. The lawyer’s office can attend court for the motorist/licensee so they don’t have to take time off of work or be prevented from doing whatever else they may need or want to do.
Save points on your TLC or DMV license. In most cases, points assessed by TLC or DMV are the largest negative consequence against a licensee. Points can result in license suspension or revocation (loss of license requires reapplication) from either TLC or DMV. Points may also lead to increased fines or fees/taxes for the ticket, or even future tickets, and can negatively affect insurance rates.
Manage court calendars, when possible. The lawyer and his office will seek maximum adjournments (delays). Delay is often a driver’s friend because a ticket’s negative consequences are generally not felt unless a judge arrives at a guilty verdict. Until then, a motorist is presumed innocent in our judicial system and cannot have points or fines, or increased insurance premiums assessed against him.
Protect your job. TLC-licensed drivers should use all legal means available, including hiring a knowledgeable lawyer, who may seek to make a deal with TLC or DMV (when possible) to minimize the chances of a license revocation or suspension. In other words, the lawyer will do his or her best to save your job.
Minimize collateral consequences, such as immigration or criminal aspects of a ticket.Sometimes a ticket will result in a criminal record or can have consequences on immigration status. A lawyer should do his or her best to inform a licensee of these potential pitfalls. Since a TLC and DMV lawyer is NOT an immigration lawyer, they may refer a driver to an immigration specialist.
Thanks for reading this article. Until next month, be well…
