Hey all, Canadian here....got a speeding ticket while down in NY a few months ago, for doing 80 in a 65. I got a plea bargain and the ticket was changed to failure to use turning signal which was a 70$ fine...anyways just got my payment information in the mail and they are charging me the 70$ PLUS $85 for a surcharge??? I called and was told its just something you have to pay, they wouldnt give me a reason or anything....anyone know what this is about!?

I've looked around the internet for info about it and it seems to say its based on points that you have on you NY drivers license....and only 25$ per point or something....I'm a Canadian so why am I getting charged this crazy amount of money by NY state "just cause they can".....

 

New York tacks a surcharge onto all traffic violations, doesn't matter if it is a points violation or not.

 

so basicially you pay your traffic ticket.....then pay another 85$ just cause the state wants more money? thats ridiculous....what a money grab...bull.

 

Yup! However I don't understand why you didn't just take it? I mean you being Canadian the points wouldn't have transferred, right? Here people will pay a lot to just not get the points cause it skyrockets your insurance.

 

Its actually a court cost surcharge. The majority of it goes to the state to cover paperwork, officer overtime(if a state trooper was involved) and to make a little $$. The other portion is to pay for court costs incurred by the local town/city in witch the trial (or paper trail) takes place, in addition to judges salaries bieng offset as well as officers overtime to attend court.\
In some instances pleading guilty may eliminate this additional cost; however, this isnt a guarantee.
Im not a lawyer or LEO, but I have been pulled over 30+ times for speeding so I have a good idea about how the system works. I also know alot of LEO's, politicians and judges so I usually get away with it.
Best advice is pay the fine and suck it up, itll cost more in time and gas to fight and youll probably have to pay it anyway. Only thing you could avoid is the fine for the ticket. You should understand that the original vioaltion is tracked so if you decide to plead not guilty to a reduced charge, the more severe and costly charge can be brought back to the table.

 

This is not a surcharge just for Canadians. Most states have surcharges affixed by legislative acts. The surcharge broken down usually covers uninsured motorists funds, victim assistance funds as well as court costs and other state programs like DUI task forces and the such. It does seem outrageous, and can be excessive, but these are legislatively set and are usually not subject to being waved like in a criminal court where certain fees are waived for the indigent and those never expected to see daylight again. Unfortunately they tend to double what you expect to pay for the just the fine itself.

 

[QUOTE=guinness;1198113
Im not a lawyer or LEO, but I have been pulled over 30+ times for speeding so I have a good idea about how the system works. I also know alot of LEO's, politicians and judges so I usually get away with it.
[/QUOTE]

Just hearing that is funny in itself. Doesn't this admission tell you, ya need to slow down. I'm not passing judgement, just thought it was funny the way it sounded Guinness. It does pay to know people too.

 

you should see some of the surcharges in GA, some speeding tickets are 200-300+ and then there are surcharges bringing tickets to well over 1000 in some parts

 

I've been pulled over about 60 times mostly in NJ no exaggeration, I only got a ticket once by a trooper for driving on shoulder, I had to drive about 1/2mi to get to my exit for my new job...then there were the 2 times they didnt catch me .....it is nice to have PBA card from Dad and cousins

thanks to the Jeep I have slowed down now

 

ugg well i guess i suck it up and pay tho....what a money grab though, its bullshi*t

i got the ticket on the way home from picking up my new rims from down there....turned out to be a bit of a more expensive trip i guess!