Every driver knows that certain traffic violations can result in points that, ultimately, could make it more difficult (or impossible) to legally operate your vehicle. The State of New York goes a step further by assigning negative units to certain infractions. Accumulating too many of these negative units, which are different from points, could jeopardize your ability to renew your driver license.
If you are facing a ticket for a traffic law violation that may result in negative units, your freedom to drive may be in danger. But working with a knowledgeable traffic ticket defense law firm could change the outcome. That’s where the New York Traffic Ticket Lawyers comes in.
What Are Negative Units?
Like many states, New York assigns license points for violations such as speeding or running a red light. If you accumulate a certain number of points over a 24-month period (which was recently changed from an 18-month period), you will face disciplinary action. For instance, a driver may have to attend a formal hearing or risk a license suspension.
Negative units operate differently, and can have a far more detrimental impact on a driver’s ability to legally operate their vehicle. If a driver receives 25 or more negative units over a four-year period (the lookback period was previously three years), then their application for a new license following a revocation of their previous license will be denied. The DMV will conduct a review of the driver’s record at the time of re-application to determine if there are too many negative units and whether to reject the application.
How Does One Accumulate Negative Units?
New York views various traffic behaviors as hazardous to public safety, and will therefore assign negative units to those offenses. These are just a few examples:
- Reckless driving, speed contests, and passing a school but can result in up to 11 negative units
- Leaving the scene of an accident that causes personal injury (hit and run) can also rack up 11 negative units
- Alcohol-related tickets can trigger 8 to 11 negative units for a first time offense, but 14 to 17 negative units for a third time offense
- Operating a vehicle in a way that causes homicide, criminally negligent homicide, or assault leads to 14 to 17 negative units
How Can a New York Traffic Ticket Attorney Help?
Negative units are a major threat to one’s ability to legally drive, and should never be taken lightly. Most traffic tickets have the potential to cause a driver to incur points, fines, higher insurance premiums, license suspensions, mandatory driving classes, jail time, and more. However, the negative unit system could prevent a driver from obtaining a new license after their old one has been revoked.
When you retain our law firm to represent you, we will:
- Explain the New York DMV rules and regulations and the Vehicle and Traffic Law
- Evaluate how many points and negative units the DMV may add to your record
- Acquire evidence related to the ticket, including that which contradicts the prosecution’s arguments
- Identify errors with the testimony of the law enforcement officer who issued the citation
- Negotiate with prosecutors for a plea bargain or reduced charges
- Ask the judge to dismiss the ticket if the evidence is unreliable or was acquired in violation of the driver’s legal rights
Don’t Risk Your Freedom to Drive in New York
If you are facing any sort of traffic ticket, especially one that can result in negative units, it is imperative that you hire an experienced attorney who can help you fight back. Contact the New York Traffic Ticket Lawyers. We can start building a defense for you today.
