Albany, NY – New York next spring will prohibit municipalities from collecting fines, surcharges or administrative fees for traffic cases when the violations are dismissed.
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The amendment to state traffic law was approved by the Legislature and signed by Gov. Andrew Cuomo this week.
It takes effect in March.
The law’s sponsor, Democratic Assemblyman Michael DenDekker of Queens, says fining motorists whose violations are dismissed places “an undue burden” on them.
He cites “numerous complaints” where drivers were charged an administrative fee for showing up at traffic court even after their violations were dismissed.
Cuomo, in signing the law, says the law’s terms would also prohibit fines and surcharges in the common practice of plea bargaining violations to lesser charges.
Unintended consequences: this will basically wipe out plea bargaining and end up costing motorists more money. Law should have just eliminated fines & costs in cases where motorist is completely exonerated.