Certificate of Disposition for a Traffic Ticket
Published on 9/8/2013
Dealing with court personnel at a New York State justice court can be a haphazard experience. If you want an official piece of paper showing the result of your case you need to request a “Certificate of Disposition.” This official piece of paper will indicate the final result of the charge(s) you were facing. It should be embossed with a seal. New York State statute provides for a $5.00 fee but courts will often waive the fee. If the court does not waive the fee, it can usually only be paid with a money order, certified check, or cash. Many courts will not take a credit card and almost all courts will not take a personal check. When you get the certificate, it will show an “arrest date.” This should not concern you as this is the form that is used for all cases. It does not mean you were arrested.
Certificate of Disposition Meaning
A Certificate of Disposition is an official court document, affixed with the court seal, that states the outcome of your case—what you were charged with, the conviction (if any), the date, and the sentence. According to the New York State Unified Court System (CourtHelp), it is the official record of what happened in the case and is often requested by employers or for sealing records.
- What it is: Per NY CourtHelp, a Certificate of Disposition is an official court document with the court seal that states the charge, the conviction, the conviction date, and the sentence imposed.
- Why it's used: Employers or other parties may require it as proof of the final result of a case; it is also used when seeking to seal records after 10 years (CPL 160.59).
- Fee and how to get it: The court that heard your case issues it. New York State statute provides for a fee (often $5; courts may charge up to $10 and may waive the fee); contact the sentencing court for its process and payment options.