Disputing Nyc Camera Tickets: What You Need To Know

If you've received a camera ticket in NYC, you can dispute it online, by mail, via a mobile app, or in person. However, you must request a hearing within 30 days of the ticket being issued to avoid paying late penalties. Before disputing a ticket, it is recommended that you research common defences and gather any necessary documents to support your dispute. For example, you can prove that you don't own the vehicle, that the camera malfunctioned, or that your car was reported stolen and not recovered at the time of the offence.

Plead not guilty

To dispute an NYC camera ticket, you must request a hearing within 30 days of the ticket being issued. You can plead not guilty by mail or online, if possible. If you plead not guilty, you are disputing the ticket and cannot pay the fine listed. You must do this before the deadline, which is typically 30 days.

If you have no option but to appear in traffic court, show up at the date and time on your citation. This may be called a first appearance or a notice hearing. When you plead not guilty, demand a full formal hearing or trial. You may also be required to attend other hearings, such as a pre-trial hearing or mediation.

Now that you have a court date, call the local police department or other law enforcement agencies in charge of the camera used to issue your citation. Request copies of the photos if they were not included with your citation. You should also request full maintenance records for the camera and the traffic light or speed monitoring system to establish that they were regularly monitored and maintained.

Research the applicable law and look for cases in your city or county about traffic cameras. See if any appellate court decisions have ruled on the legality of traffic camera tickets. Aside from the camera itself, there may be other recognised defences. For example, some states have specific rules about where warning signs must be posted for traffic lights. If the warning signs were obscured or not present, you would have a defence.

Research common defences

When disputing an NYC camera ticket, it is important to research common defences and recommended evidence, and gather all the necessary documents to support your dispute. Here are some common defences that residents of New York have used to dispute their camera tickets:

• Proving that you do not own the vehicle in question.
• Providing evidence that the camera malfunctioned.
• Demonstrating that your car was reported stolen and not recovered at the time of the offence.
• Arguing that there was a lack of proper signage indicating a school zone or speed limit.
• Claiming a personal or medical emergency that required speeding or breaking traffic rules.

It is important to note that not all defences may be valid, and the city may have specific requirements and procedures for disputing a ticket. Be sure to review the information provided by official sources, such as the New York City Department of Finance or the Department of Motor Vehicles, for the most accurate and up-to-date information on disputing camera tickets.

Gather evidence

If you want to dispute a camera ticket in NYC, it's important to gather the right evidence to support your case. Here are some steps you can take to gather evidence effectively:

• Research common defences: Before you start, it's a good idea to understand what types of defences are commonly used in camera ticket disputes. This can give you a better understanding of the evidence you need to gather. For example, successful defences may include proving that you don't own the vehicle, that the camera malfunctioned, or that your car was reported stolen at the time of the offence.
• Obtain vehicle and registration information: Make sure you have all the relevant information about your vehicle, including your driver's license, vehicle registration, and any other relevant documents. This information may be required when submitting your dispute and can help strengthen your case.
• Collect supporting documents: Gather any documents or records that can support your dispute. This could include maintenance records for your vehicle, calibration certificates for the camera in question, or any other official documentation that may be relevant to your case.
• Review camera footage: If possible, try to obtain and review the camera footage associated with your ticket. This can help you identify any discrepancies or errors. However, note that you may not be able to upload video evidence through the online system, so you may need to attend an in-person hearing to present video evidence.
• Document the location: If your dispute is related to signage or location-specific issues, make sure to document the location thoroughly. Take photographs or videos of the area, including any relevant signage or speed limit postings. This can help demonstrate that signage was obscured, inadequate, or unclear.
• Prepare a written defence: Along with your evidence, you will need to provide a written explanation of your defence. Clearly state your reasons for disputing the ticket and how your evidence supports your claim. Your written defence should be submitted in any language, and it will be translated if necessary.

Remember, it's important to act promptly when disputing a camera ticket. Make sure to submit your hearing request and evidence within 30 days of the ticket being issued to avoid late penalties.

Submit your defence

To submit your defence, you must first understand the violation you have been charged with. Check the date, time, and location of the ticket. Make sure you were driving the car when the ticket was issued.

You must then request a hearing within 30 days of receiving the ticket to avoid late penalties. You can do this online, by mail, or via the Pay or Dispute mobile app. Hearings can also be held in person at a Department of Finance business centre.

Before submitting your defence, research common defences and gather all the necessary documents to support your dispute. You can submit your defence in writing in any language, and it will be translated by a certified translator.

Your defence should include an explanation of why you are not guilty of the violation. For example, you may have been making a legal right turn on red when the camera took the photo. You can also argue that the camera malfunctioned or that your car was reported stolen and not recovered at the time of the offence.

If you have any evidence to support your claim, such as video or photo evidence, you can submit this at an in-person hearing. Make sure to bring a device to play the video on, as the judge will not be able to open a disk or flash drive.

Await the decision

Once you have submitted your dispute, you will need to wait for the decision. The time it takes to receive a decision depends on how you chose to dispute your ticket. If you attended an in-person hearing, you will receive the administrative judge's decision right away. For online or mail hearings, you will receive the decision via email from NYCServ@finance.nyc.gov. If you have not received a decision within three weeks of requesting an online or mail hearing, contact the New York Department of Finance to check whether a decision has been made.

Frequently asked questions