A Traffic Ticket received in Southampton can be either an infraction, a violation, a misdemeanor, and in some instances a felony.

While most moving traffic infractions carry points and a fine, some carry automatic license revocations. For instance, if you plead guilty to, or are convicted of driving without insurance (section 319.1 of the NYS vehicle and Traffic law) your license will automatically be revoked for 1 year by law. Also you will also receive a $750 civil penalty in addition to a fine and surcharge.

If you plead to or are convicted of something as simple as driving with a suspended license (section 511.1a of the NYS Vehicle and Traffic Law) you will end up with a criminal record, unless you fall under the youthful offender provisions.

The following are a just a few of the traffic charges that are misdemeanors. There are many more that are misdemeanors that I have not listed. A conviction to any one of these would give you a criminal record unless you fall within the youthful offender provisions.

• VTL 511.1(a) Aggravated Unlicensed Operation in the 3rd degree
• VTL 511.2 (a) Aggravated Unlicensed Operation in the 2nd Degree
• VTL 600-2a Leaving the scene of an accident with personal Injury
• VTL1212 Reckless Driving
• VTL 319-2 Produced Invalid Insurance ID card
• VTL 306-e Fictitious Inspection Certificate
• VTL 375-I Inadequate Brakes
• VTL 375-1 Inadequate Trailer Brakes
• VTL 340-(a) Failure to surrender license/registration/plates after revocation under article 7
• VTL 1182 Unauthorized speed contest

Some offenses carry even harsher sentences. Some misdemeanor traffic convictions carry mandatory jail or probation. For example, if you are convicted of a 511.2a (Aggravated Unlicensed operation in the Second Degree) the judge must by law sentence you to either Jail or 3 years probation, and a minimum $500 fine, plus a surcharge.

At the Law office of Gary S. Miller, we will always attempt to obtain the very best resolution of your case. Whether it involves getting a misdemeanor charge reduced to a non criminal offence, or saving you points on your license, you can count on us to fight for the best result possible.