Westchester County Traffic Ticket

Westchester County Traffic Ticket Defense: Navigating the 10-Point Era

Westchester County serves as the gateway between New York City and the rest of the state, making its roadways—including I-287, the Taconic State Parkway, and the New York Thruway (I-87)—some of the most heavily patrolled in the nation. As of February 26, 2026, the NY DMV has implemented a stricter 10-point suspension threshold and a 24-month look-back period.

Unlike the rigid NYC system, Westchester’s Town and Village Justice Courts allow for Plea Bargaining. Whether your ticket is returnable to the busy Greenburgh Town Court, Harrison Town Court, or White Plains City Court, our firm specializes in negotiating high-point moving violations down to non-moving infractions.

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Common Westchester Violations & The 2026 Point System

We provide aggressive defense for citations returnable to all Westchester jurisdictions, focusing on the updated 2026 penalties:

• VTL 1180 Speeding: Speeding on the Saw Mill or Sprain Brook now carries heavier weight. A 21+ MPH speed now results in 6 points and an automatic $300 Driver Responsibility Assessment (DRA).
• VTL 1225-d Distracted Driving: Cell phone and texting violations are now 6 points. Under the 2026 rules, two phone tickets in 24 months will result in an automatic license suspension.
• VTL 1144-a Move Over Law: Failure to yield to emergency vehicles on the Hutch is a top enforcement priority for New York State Troopers.
• VTL 1174 Passing a School Bus: Now an 8-point violation in the 2026 system; these are non-negotiable for many Westchester prosecutors without a skilled attorney.

Even seemingly minor tickets can affect insurance rates and driving privileges.

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Importance of Local Westchester Knowledge

Westchester County traffic courts vary in procedure, enforcement, and plea options. Our local expertise enables us to:

• Navigate local court procedures efficiently
• Identify procedural weaknesses in tickets
• Negotiate reduced penalties or dismissals
• Minimize or eliminate the need for in-person court appearances

Drivers who rely on general traffic attorneys often miss these critical local insights.

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Our Westchester Defense Process: The "Local Court" Strategy

Because Westchester is geographically fragmented, our process is tailored to the specific court listed on your ticket:

Jurisdictional Audit: We determine if your ticket is in a City Court (like Yonkers) or a Town/Village Court (like Mount Pleasant). Each has different prosecutors and plea policies.

Affidavit of Representation: In most Westchester courts, we can file a Waiver of Appearance. This allows us to fight the ticket on your behalf so you don't have to travel to White Plains or Greenburgh.

Discovery & Supporting Depositions: We demand the officer’s supporting deposition. If it is not provided within the 30-day statutory window, we move for an immediate dismissal.

Points Mitigation: Our primary goal is to plea-bargain your moving violation down to a VTL 1201-a (Parking) or other zero-point offense to protect your record and your insurance rates.

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Protect Your License and Record

Traffic tickets can disrupt your life if not handled properly. Early action, informed strategy, and skilled local representation help Westchester County drivers protect their licenses, avoid unnecessary points, and reduce fines.

If you have received a traffic ticket in Westchester County, contact us today for local, experienced defense.

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