New York Attorney Skilled in Traffic Court Defense

Lawyer fights tickets for clients throughout upstate New York

Traffic tickets are often worth contesting. When you consider the possible points, insurance increases and driver responsibility assessments, the true cost of a ticket may be much more than the fine imposed. At the Law Office of James L. Riotto, we understand that driving is essential to your livelihood and to your ability to take care of daily affairs. We make the strongest cases possible to minimize fines, points and related negative consequences of traffic violations, which include license suspension in some situations. With offices in Rochester and Albany, we represent drivers in traffic courts in Rochester and throughout Monroe and surrounding counties.

Experienced counsel explains the New York point system

In New York, racking up points on your license can lead to license suspensions and to additional annual fines known as driver responsibility assessments. If you are convicted of traffic offenses totaling six points or more in an 18 month period, you’ll be assessed additional fines. If you accrue 11 points or more in 18 months, you face license suspension. Categories of traffic tickets resulting in points include:

• Reckless driving — A conviction of reckless driving places five points on your license. Other similar offenses like driving left of center in the wrong direction or leaving the scene of an accident causing property damage result in assessments of three points.
• Careless driving — Common offenses such as tailgating and failure to properly maintain brakes carry four-point penalties. Even failure to stop at a stop sign or improperly yielding the right of way can result in three points.
• Cell phone violations — Improper use of a cell phone or other electronic device, whether it’s for texting, calling or any other purpose, will result in five points.

In addition to legal penalties, accumulating points on your license affects your insurance premiums and may even lead your carrier to drop you as a high-risk insured. As an experienced traffic lawyer, James L. Riotto can analyze your situation and determine the best strategy to keep your point total within acceptable levels.

Former state trooper skilled at fighting speeding tickets

Convictions for speeding can accrue points more quickly than any other traffic offense. In New York, points for speeding tickets are assessed as follows:

• 1-10 MPH over the speed limit — three points
• 11-20 MPH over the speed limit — four points
• 21-30 MPH over the speed limit — six points
• 31-40 MPH over the speed limit — eight points
• More than 40 MPH over the speed limit — 11 points

To make matters worse, speeding tickets can often be accompanied by tickets for other moving violations, which can accumulate further points.

As a former state trooper and an experienced lawyer, James L. Riotto understands speeding cases from both the prosecution and defense sides. He knows the most appropriate defenses to use in court and works tirelessly to get charges dropped or reduced.

Rochester moving violation attorney defends against DWI/DUI charges

Driving while intoxicated or under the influence of drugs can be charged as a misdemeanor or a felony depending on the extent of the driver’s impairment and whether a serious accident resulted, causing injury or death. Beyond the financial consequences and the possible extended suspension of your driver’s license, a felony conviction of DWI/DUI creates a criminal record that may stay with you the rest of your life. As a former state trooper, criminal defense attorney James Riotto has extensive knowledge of DWI prosecution and the skills needed to pursue the best possible defense in these cases, no matter how serious the charges.

Contact an experienced driver’s license lawyer in Rochester

The Law Office of James L. Riotto takes your driving privileges seriously and will effectively negotiate and litigate to protect your rights. We provide personalized support, keeping you informed throughout the legal process and promptly answering all questions. Call us at 866-772-2122 or contact us online to schedule an appointment at our Rochester or Albany office.