Speeding Tickets

Our typical fee to defend a speeding ticket case in an Albany County court is a flat $195.00. This includes most charges of VTL 1180A, 1180B, and 1180D in the majority of courts in Albany County. Some cases, however, require special attention such as a personal appearance. In these cases, the charge is typically a flat $295.00. Misdmeanors, like Aggravated Unlicensed Operator (A.U.O.), Coram Nobis cases and other more serious situations usually have higher fees.

For a finalized quote, please contact our office with as much information regarding your case as possible, including a copy of your ticket, any documents you have received from the court including Notice of Suspension or Notice of Pretrial Conference.

Section 1180 of New York state Vehicle & Traffic law details speed restriction laws and contains sub-sections outlining seven different types of speeding tickets: Speed Not Reasonable/Imprudent (VTL 1180A), SPEED OVER 55 (VTL 1180B), School Zone (VTL 1180C), SPEED IN ZONE (VTL 1180D), Special Hazards (VTL 1180E), Work Zone (VTL 1180F), and Radar/Laser Detector (VTL 1180G).

Each of these types of speeding tickets have different penalties (fines, points, etc.) and you can read more about each of them in the paragraphs below.

While you are never allowed to exceed the posted speed limits, this ticket can be issued even for driving at or under the posted limit when special hazards or circumstances make it imprudent to do so. As a result, we usually see this ticket issued after an accident has occured like when a driver slides off an icy road and hits a tree.

Penalties: 3-11 points; $45 - 150 fines (+ state surcharge); max 15 days in jail.

Much of the NewYork state Thruway (I-87), Interstate I-90, as well as the interchange I-787 have a speed limit of 55mph in and around the Capital. Speed limits do not change to 65mph until reaching Schenectady, past Rensselaer County, and into Saratoga county. State Troopers and local officers are vigilant in patrolling these areas and enforcing traffic laws by radar, laser, and visual estimation.

Penalties: 3-11 points; $45 - $600 fines (+ state surcharge); max 30 days in jail.

Reduced speed limits (usually 25mph) in school zones are enforced during posted hours, usually between 7am and 6pm or when signal lights are flashing. These zones are established to protect children during school hours and are aggresively prosecuted. Some courts will not offer plea bargain reductions in these cases.

Penalties: 3-11 points; $90 - $1,200 fines (+ state surcharge); max 30 days in jail.

This subsection of the law describes speeding generally and can be issued in almost any speed zone. If you have received a ticket for speeding in New York state, chances are it's an 1180D. Fines are anywhere from $45 per ticket to

Penalties: 3-11 points; $90 - $600 fines (+ state surcharge); max 30 days in jail.

Drivers are required to travel at an appropriate, reduced speed when approaching and crossing railroad tracks, curves in the road, and hill crests, etc. and other situations where emergency vehicles are stopped or standing.

Penalties: 3-11 points; $45 - 150 fines (+ state surcharge); max 15 days in jail.

Fines are doubled in posted Work Zones, or Construction Zones, on New York highways. Your license may also be suspended if you are convicted of two Work Zone speed violations in any 18-month period. Recently, campaigns like "Operation Work Brake" have targeted the enforcement of work zone speed limits.

Penalties: 3-11 points; $180 - $1,200 fines (+ state surcharge); max 30 days in jail.

While the use of radar or laser detectors is allowed in New York, there are certain restrictions involving vehicle weight and speed travelled.

Penalties: 3-11 points; $90 - $600 fines (+ state surcharge); max 30 days in jail.

To determine your specific charges, simply read the information found on your ticket. The physical, paper ticket you received will likely be either: a hand-written ticket, or a computer, print-out ticket. Examples of both are shown below (click for more details).