Lawyer’s Traffic Ticket Guide for Canton Town Court

The town of Canton, which includes a village by the same name, has a population of 10,995 (2010 U.S. Census), and covers nearly 106 square miles in central St. Lawrence County, alongside the Grasse River. The area is served by U.S. Route 11, which intersects New York State Routes 68 and 310 at the Village of Canton.

Due to the vast open stretches of road that the highways provide, it is very easy for a driver to lose sight of the speedometer. In such cases, many drivers find themselves facing a hefty speeding ticket.

Traffic tickets are no laughing matter. No one wants to receive a speeding ticket or cell phone violation. Not only are they annoying, but they are also costly. This guide was created for you by our attorneys to help you find some ease of mind in the legal arena.

If you would like legal representation on your case, give our expert attorneys a call today at 800-893-9645. We can help you save money, time, points and insurance increases.

One of the most crucial steps to fighting your ticket is entering your plea. You have an option of entering a guilty or a not guilty plea.

Entering a Not Guilty Plea: If you wish to fight your ticket, you will have to plead not guilty. Instructions on how to enter your plea are provided on your ticket. You can either enter your plea by mail or in person.

Once the court has received your plea, you will be sent a court notice. This notice will tell you when your court appearance is. At this court appearance you will have the opportunity to present your case’s strengths and weaknesses.

Entering a Guilty Plea: If you wish to plead guilty to your traffic violation, just follow the instructions on your ticket. It is important to remember that pleading guilty is the equivalent to a conviction after trial.

Once the court receives your plea, you will be sent a fine notice. This fine must be paid by the date given or your driver’s license can be suspended.

Tip: It is important that you are respectful in court as such please turn off all electronic devices, dispose of food, and present yourself in a respectful manner.

Security: Upon entering the court, you will be asked to walk through a magnetometer for security purposes.

Dress Code: While there is no official dress code, we highly recommend litigants to dress formally. Many judges often frown on individuals who come to court in tank tops, shorts, open-toed sandals, or other similar items.

Check- In: It is important to notify the court clerk that you are present for your court appearance. Failure to do so can result in your case not being called.

Things to Bring: You should bring your court notice advising you to appear in court as well as your driving record. If you are displaced, showing the court personnel your letter may help in directing you where to go and what to do. Your driving record, if it is clean, can be persuasive towards your case and help mitigate the situation quickly.

You should also bring ample amount of money to pay any court fines/fees if your case is settled at the first court appearance.

Court Clerk: The role of the Court Clerk is to assist the Judges in carrying out their duties. They may assist the Judges in court as well as out of court. Many clerks send letters to litigants, collect fine monies, and help answer day-to-day questions before the court.

A conviction to a speeding ticket can be costly. A driver charged with 80/55 (25 mph over) is facing a 6-point violation. There are many sentencing options available to the judge. Some of the sentences can include jail, a fine of about $400.00, and a license suspension. A conviction to a charge can also result in an additional fine that is a minimum of $300.00 payable to the DMV. Further, depending on a driver’s driving record, this conviction can also result in hundreds in insurance increases and a license suspension.

Please keep in mind that insurance costs can vary. Two very similarly situated drivers can have two completely different insurance increase results. Insurance companies take many factors into consideration; some of these factors can include the age of the driver, accident history, type of vehicle driven, and other such factors.

In New York State, a speeding ticket ranges form 3-11 points depending on the driver’s speed. Please take a look at the following chart for a breakdown of these points.

If a driver accumulates 11 points, their driving license will be suspended. It is important to keep in mind that driving with a suspended license is a crime. If you are pulled over, the officer can arrest you and impound your car.

If you would like our attorneys to help reduce your points, give us a call today at 800-893-9645.

There are many benefits in hiring our law firm to represent you. Our team of experienced attorneys has fought traffic tickets all over New York State, as such we are recognized as some of the best lawyers in all of New York.

Going to court can be a daunting task, so we go to court for you. We go to court and fight for you, getting you an amicable resolution. We can help you save your time, money, points and insurance increases. Call us today at 800-893-9645.

For more information, please visit the following links:

Traffic Ticket FAQs
Tips on Avoiding a Speeding Ticket
Top Reasons to Hire an Attorney