Search Bronx Traffic Court Records
Bronx County traffic court records are processed through the Traffic Violations Bureau, which is part of the New York State DMV -- not the regular court system. This is a key difference from most other counties in New York. The Bronx TVB handles all non-criminal moving violations issued in the borough. There is no plea bargaining at the TVB. You either plead guilty and pay the fine, or you plead not guilty and go to a hearing before an Administrative Law Judge. The Bronx TVB office is on East Fordham Road, and this page covers everything you need to know about handling a traffic ticket here.
Bronx County Traffic Court Records
Bronx County Traffic Court Records
The Bronx TVB office is located at 696 East Fordham Road, Bronx, NY 10458. The phone number is (718) 488-5710. This is where your hearing will take place if you plead not guilty to a traffic ticket issued in the Bronx. The TVB does not accept walk-in customers. You must have a scheduled hearing or make a reservation before you show up.
The DMV website lists all TVB office locations including the Bronx branch at 696 East Fordham Road.
The TVB only handles New York City traffic tickets. If you got a ticket outside of the five boroughs, your case goes to the local town or village court where the violation took place. The DMV runs the TVB, not the court system, which is why the rules are different here than in the rest of the state. There is no District Attorney involved and no plea bargaining. Every case is decided by a DMV Administrative Law Judge based on the evidence presented.
Bronx County Traffic Court Records
You must answer your ticket within 15 days. Failing to respond can result in a default conviction and license suspension. You have two choices: guilty or not guilty.
To plead guilty, you can do it online through the DMV's online transaction system. You can also plead guilty by mail -- check the "guilty" box on the ticket, fill in the requested information, sign it, and send it within 15 days with your payment to the Albany address printed on the ticket. By phone is not an option for guilty pleas. To plead not guilty, check the "not guilty" box, sign the ticket, and mail it within 15 days. The DMV will mail you a letter with your hearing date and the TVB location. You can also plead not guilty online.
One thing to keep in mind -- you can only reschedule your hearing one time. The new date must fall within 20 months of the ticket being issued. To reschedule, use the online system, mail your request at least 10 days before the hearing, or call (718) 488-5710 at least 24 hours before.
Bronx County Traffic Court Records
At the hearing, you are innocent unless proven guilty by "clear and convincing evidence." That is the legal standard the judge uses. The officer who wrote the ticket may testify. You can testify too, or you can choose not to -- the judge cannot hold your silence against you. You may bring witnesses and present evidence on your behalf.
You are not required to appear in person. The DMV lets you submit a Statement in Place of Personal Appearance. This is a written statement that the judge reads instead of you being there. It is useful if you live far away or have scheduling problems. However, if the officer shows up and you do not, you lose the chance to question the officer directly. Many traffic lawyers recommend showing up in person if you want the best shot at winning your case. The judge makes a decision at the end of the hearing, and you get the result that day or by mail.
Payment Plans and Fines
If you pled guilty, were found guilty at a hearing, or have a default judgment, you may be able to set up a payment plan. You can apply for one through the TVB website or at the Bronx office. You will need your name, email, phone, driver's license number, date of birth, and ticket number. The ticket number is in the upper left corner of the ticket. Payment plans only cover traffic-related fines, fees, and surcharges.
Fines vary by violation. Speeding fines start at around $150 for low-level offenses and go up from there. Surcharges are added on top. The mandatory surcharge for most traffic infractions is $88 or $93 depending on the court. If you do not pay on time, the DMV can suspend your license and registration.
Appeals Process
If you believe the judge got it wrong, you can file an appeal. Use form AA-33, which is available online, at TVB offices, or by download from the DMV website. An attorney can help you file the appeal. You must include the appeal fee with the form and send it to the DMV Appeals Board. The Appeals Board reviews the record of your hearing and decides whether the judge's decision should stand. Appeals are decided on the written record -- there is no new hearing.
Points for speeding range from 3 points for going 1-10 mph over the limit to 11 points for more than 40 mph over. Common reasons for license suspension include failure to answer a ticket, three speeding or misdemeanor convictions within 18 months, or reaching 11 or more points. The NYS Driver Point System has the full chart.
Cities in Bronx County
Bronx County is one of the five boroughs of New York City. All traffic violations in the Bronx are processed through the TVB as part of the NYC system.
Nearby Counties
The Bronx borders several other counties. Westchester is directly north, and the other NYC boroughs surround it.