Clifton C. Carden III, Esq.

One of the founding members and partners of New York Traffic Ticket Lawyers, Clifton C. Carden III, Esq. is highly experienced and knowledgeable in New York traffic law. Clifton treats each one of his cases with a no-nonsense, results-oriented approach, which has brought a cult-like following from his clients. He is also the firm’s in-house expert on New York DWI law.

Before he helped found New York Traffic Ticket Lawyers, Clifton was an Assistant District Attorney with the Onondaga County District Attorney’s Office in Syracuse, NY. He was assigned to the DWI Bureau, which prosecutes cases that involve drinking and driving offenses.

As an ADA, Clifton managed a county-wide caseload that consisted of felony and misdemeanor DWI, boating while intoxicated, aggravated unlicensed operation, and snowmobiling while intoxicated crimes.

In addition, Clifton was an instructor for the Prosecutor’s Training Institute, District Attorney’s Offices, Syracuse University Moot Court Team, County Magistrates Association, and Stop DWI Driver Improvement Program. 

Clifton also coordinated the Veteran’s Diversion Program for the Onondaga County District Attorney’s Office, which helps ensure that New York’s criminal justice system adequately addresses the needs of veterans who have served our country, while also ensuring the safety of the community.

Before joining the DWI Bureau, Clifton served in the Municipal Courts Bureau. There, he handled arraignments, six different courts, and preliminary hearings, while also coordinating the ride-along program between the office and local law enforcement agencies.

For five years, Clifton served as an ADA. Before joining the DA’s Office, he served on active duty with the infantry of the United State Marine Corps. His assignments included two deployments with Kilo Company 3rd Battalion 8th Marines and serving the Marine Corps Security Force Company in Kings Bay, GA. When he left active duty, he continued to serve in the Army Reserve with the 88th Military Police Company of Fort Eustis, Virginia. As a civilian, Clifton worked as a police officer at both the federal and local levels in the City of Norfolk until he attended law school.

Clifton obtained his law degree from the T.C. Williams School of Law at the University of Richmond and he earned his undergraduate degree from Christopher Newport University. 

Currently, he serves on the editorial board of the Onondaga County Bar Association and is an active member of the Onondaga County Bar Association, New York State Bar Association, Marine Corps League, and New York State Defenders Association.