Buffalo Traffic Court Records
Buffalo traffic court records are handled by the Buffalo Traffic Violations Agency, one of only a few local traffic violations agencies in the entire state. The BTVA was created in 2015 as a Court of Record to help Buffalo City Court manage its non-criminal moving violation caseload. Located inside Buffalo City Hall at 65 Niagara Square, the agency processes tickets for speeding, cell phone use, red light violations, and other moving offenses within the city limits. This page covers how the BTVA works, how to pay or fight a ticket, and where to find records.
Buffalo Traffic Court Records
Buffalo Traffic Court Records Violations Agency
The Buffalo Traffic Violations Agency was set up through a partnership between the City of Buffalo and New York State lawmakers. It is authorized under New York State General Municipal Law Article 14-B, Section 370. The agency assists Buffalo City Court in handling non-criminal moving traffic infractions. It operates under the direction of the Mayor.
The BTVA page on the City of Buffalo website shows office hours, contact details, and the agency's mission statement.
The BTVA's mission is to enhance public safety. It aims to encourage driver responsibility and promote safe driving through deterrence, reducing repeat offenders, cutting down on unlicensed drivers, and educating people behind the wheel. The physical address is 65 Niagara Square, Room 115, Buffalo, NY 14202. Fax is 716-851-9695, and email is BTVA@buffalony.gov. Hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
You need a photo ID to visit in person. Attorneys must have a written Waiver of Appearance on file. The agency cannot discuss pending cases over the phone. If you call 716-851-5883, you will get a prerecorded message with general information. Agency clerks are not allowed to give legal advice since the BTVA is a court of record.
Buffalo Traffic Court Records
To skip the line, the BTVA suggests using other methods of contact. You can email or fax them with your full legal name, a picture of your photo ID (if emailing), your current address, phone number, email, and a copy of the ticket or ticket number. This lets them start processing your case before you show up.
Traffic court sessions run several days per week from 9:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at City Hall, Room 115. Judicial hearings are also held at City Hall. The Buffalo City Court page on the NYS Courts site has more details about the court system.
The NYS Courts page for Buffalo City Court lists the address, phone number, and hours for all court operations including traffic matters.
Buffalo Traffic Court Records
Parking tickets in Buffalo are handled by a separate office. The Buffalo Parking Violations Bureau is at City Hall, Room 8A, Buffalo, NY 14202. The phone is (716) 851-5183. You can pay parking tickets by mail, in person, by phone, or online.
The city's parking violations page shows the bureau location and the different ways to make a payment.
For mail payments, send a check or money order payable to "Parking Violations Bureau" to P.O. Box 20, Buffalo, NY 14240-0020. In-person payments are at 65 Niagara Square, Room 11, Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:15 p.m. Phone payments are taken at 716-851-5182, weekdays 10:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Online payments have a 2.25% convenience fee.
Pleading and Payment
When you get a moving violation in Buffalo, you can plead guilty or not guilty. A guilty plea means you accept the charge and pay the fine. A not guilty plea leads to a hearing before a judicial hearing officer. You have 15 days from the ticket date to respond.
The BTVA accepts multiple forms of payment for fines. Credit and debit cards are accepted in person. Checks and money orders work for mail payments. Online payment options may be available depending on the case. If you cannot pay the full amount at once, ask about a payment plan. The state allows monthly installments with a minimum of $25 per month for traffic fines.
Failing to answer a ticket results in a default conviction and a license suspension. Once suspended, you must resolve the ticket and pay a suspension lift fee before you can drive again. The NYS DMV traffic tickets page covers suspension rules in more detail.
Points and Suspensions
All Buffalo traffic convictions add points under the NYS Driver Point System. Speeding 1 to 10 mph over is 3 points. Going 31 to 40 over is 8 points. Cell phone use is 5 points. At 11 points in 18 months, the DMV suspends your license.
The Driver Responsibility Assessment kicks in at 6 points. That is $100 per year for three years, plus $25 for each point above 6. A defensive driving course can knock off up to 4 points. The 8th Judicial District oversees all courts in Erie County, including Buffalo City Court and the BTVA.
Erie County Court
Buffalo is the county seat of Erie County. The Erie County Clerk handles court records and filings for the county system. Criminal traffic charges that go beyond the BTVA's scope are handled by Buffalo City Court at 50 Delaware Avenue, Buffalo, NY 14202, phone 716-845-2600. The court is open Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Nearby Cities
Other Erie County towns and nearby cities with traffic court pages on this site: