New Rochelle Traffic Court Records
Traffic court records in New Rochelle are handled by the New Rochelle City Court in Westchester County. New Rochelle sits along Long Island Sound, just north of the Bronx, and gets heavy traffic from commuters heading to and from New York City. The city court has jurisdiction over traffic infractions, parking tickets, civil cases, and criminal matters. This guide covers the court location, judges, how to respond to a ticket, and where to search for your traffic case information.
New Rochelle Traffic Court Quick Facts
New Rochelle Traffic Court Records
New Rochelle City Court is at 475 North Avenue, New Rochelle, NY 10801. The main phone number is 914-358-8000. The fax number is 914-358-8098. Office hours run Monday through Friday from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM. The court closes on all New York State holidays.
Three judges preside over the city court: Hon. Michelle K. Bernstein, Hon. Eileen Songer McCarthy, and Hon. Jared R. Rice. The Chief Clerk is Magdalena Areizaga and the Deputy Chief Clerk is Noel Rivera. These are the people who keep the court running day to day.
The court has jurisdiction over traffic infractions, civil cases, criminal cases (not felonies -- those go to Westchester County Court), parking tickets, and small claims. If you get a moving violation in New Rochelle, this is where your case ends up.
The City of New Rochelle website has information about city departments and services.
The city website provides links to parking violations information and other city services for New Rochelle residents.
New Rochelle Traffic Court Records
New Rochelle participates in the DMV parking scofflaw program. According to the DMV list, the scofflaw contact is the New Rochelle City Court, Attn: Chief Clerk, 90 Beaufort Place, New Rochelle, NY 10801-3502. The phone number for parking scofflaw matters is (914) 632-2021, extension 241. Note that this address is different from the main court address -- parking ticket matters may be processed at a separate location.
If you have unpaid parking tickets, the DMV can block your vehicle registration. Clear the balance with the city court to get a registration clearance. The DMV will not process your renewal until the court confirms all tickets are paid.
New Rochelle Traffic Court Records
You have 15 days to answer your ticket. The options are guilty or not guilty. Both pleas can be entered by mail.
To plead guilty, check the guilty box on the back of the ticket. Sign it and mail it with payment. The judge reviews the plea and sets a fine. You get a letter with the amount due and the deadline for payment.
To plead not guilty, check that box, sign, and mail it back. No payment goes with a not guilty plea. The court mails you a hearing date. At the hearing, the prosecutor from the Westchester County District Attorney's office handles the case. Many traffic tickets in New Rochelle get negotiated down at this stage. Drivers with clean records often get offers to plead to lesser charges with reduced or zero points. This is not guaranteed though -- each case is different.
Failing to respond means a default guilty finding. Points go on your record, fines pile up, and the DMV can suspend your license. Always answer on time.
New Rochelle Traffic Court Records
Pay fines in person at the city court clerk's window during office hours. The court accepts cash, money orders, and certified checks. Credit card payments may come with a convenience fee. Call 914-358-8000 to ask about current payment options.
Fines vary by offense. Speeding fines range from $45 to $600 in New York, plus a mandatory surcharge. Running a red light, making illegal turns, and other moving violations each have their own fine range. The judge sets the specific amount based on the charge and circumstances.
Points and Record
Traffic convictions in New Rochelle go on your NYS driving record. The point system runs statewide -- 3 points for minor speeding, up to 11 for extreme speed violations. At 11 points in 18 months, your license gets suspended. At 6 points, the DMV charges a Driver Responsibility Assessment of $300 plus $75 per additional point.
Your driving abstract is available through the MyDMV portal. This shows all convictions, points, and license status. Employers and insurance companies pull these records regularly. A clean record keeps your rates low.
Take a defensive driving course to reduce up to 4 points and get a 10% insurance discount. The NYS Driver Point System page explains the full system.
Searching for Records
Call the court at 914-358-8000 to check on a case. Give the clerk your name or ticket number. They can tell you your case status, amount owed, and next court date. You can also visit in person during business hours.
The NYS Courts records page explains how to get official court documents. Some records require a written request. Others may be available at the clerk's window on the same day.
Westchester County Connection
New Rochelle is in Westchester County, part of the Ninth Judicial District. The Westchester County Court handles felony cases and hears appeals from city courts like New Rochelle. If you want to appeal a traffic conviction, that is where you file.
Westchester is densely populated and has many local courts. Each city, town, and village has its own court. The court listed on your ticket is the one with jurisdiction over your case. Double-check the court name if you were stopped near a municipal border.
Nearby Cities
Other cities in the lower Westchester and Hudson Valley area with traffic court pages: