Disclaimer: This concerns redlight tickets issued by a police officer at a traffic stop, not camera tickets. If the ticket was created by a camera, then it does not have points, will not go on your driving record, and should not impact your insurance rates.
Vehicle & Traffic Law § 1111 (d)1 — Passed Red Signal
In metropolitan areas, a frequently issued traffic citation is for a violation of VTL 1111 (d)1. This is more commonly known as a “red-light ticket.” It alleges that the motorist entered and drove through an intersection after the light turned red. In New York City, the fine for a first-time offense is $278. Outside of New York City, the fine is determined by the judge, with the maximum being $225 + mandatory surcharge of $93. With other violations on the driving record there is a possibility that you will be required to pay an additional Driver Responsibility Assessment Fee. The most significant cost of this infraction is your car insurance rates. Car insurance companies typically raise their rates significantly with a red-light ticket on the driving record.
Red Light Statute
The wording of the statute is as follows:
Traffic, except pedestrians, facing a steady circular red signal, unless to make such other movement as is permitted by other indications shown at the same time, shall stop at a clearly marked stop line, but if none, then shall stop before entering the crosswalk on the near side of the intersection, or in the event there is no crosswalk, at the point nearest the intersecting roadway where the driver has a view of the approaching traffic on the intersecting roadway before entering the intersection and shall remain standing until an indication to proceed is shown except as provided in paragraph two of this subdivision.
Fighting a Red Light Traffic Ticket
If you received a red-light ticket from a traffic stop and want to review your options, you can reach out to the attorneys at the Benjamin Goldman Law Office. Our firm provides motorists with free consultations. There are various ways of fighting such tickets, depending on the jurisdiction and the circumstances leading up to the issuance of the ticket. You can dispute the ticket even if in fact you went through the redlight. Pleading Not Guilty does not mean you are claiming that you did not go through the redlight. It merely means you are utilizing your constitutional rights to require the government to prove the case.
Benjamin Goldman Law Office — Red Light Ticket Lawyers
The Benjamin Goldman Law Office has been in operation since 2011. We are primarily dedicated to traffic ticket defense. Our firm has successfully fought many red-light charges with various procedural and legal tactics. We can take on your case in the five boroughs of New York City and in other areas of the state. The Benjamin Goldman Law Office will be glad to take on your case. Contact us at your convenience.
Common Questions about Red Light Tickets
Is It Worth it to fight a redlight camera ticket? +
Generally, no because those do not have points, will not go on your driving record, and will not cause increased insurance rates.
How to Beat a Red-Light Ticket in New York City? +
If you were issued the ticket in New York City, your case will be adjudicated in the New York City Traffic Violations Bureau. An attorney can go to court in your place. The attorney will have to find something wrong with the officer’s presentation of the case, whether it is a legal issue whether it is a factual issue, whether it is an omission, whether it is a contradiction, whether there is something wrong with the notes, the ticket, or the oral testimony. In New York City, there is no plea bargaining and the judge does not have the discretion to reduce the points for a safe driver. It is all or nothing. Either you win and you get no points and no fine or you lose and have to pay the fine and get the points.
Other Traffic Violations We Handle
Community Discussion
Questions? Thoughts? Let us know down below!
Can a New York City red light violation hearing be postponed multiple times, and what are the implications of fighting a camera ticket from out of state?
Can NY DOT administratively Postpone Traffic Violation Hearing every year since 2019 and again to 2025? My husband got a red light violation in the mail in 2019. We live in another state where only rear plates are issued. He intended to appear at hearing but it was postponed by them to 2020. Then 2021, again 2022 but with a twist (rescheduled to 2023 but if he wanted plead his case before then, he could complete the enclosed form as his written statement & the judge will decide without a hearing). This also meant if found guilty he would be responsible for daily interest & penalty fees that accrued to that time. Something didn't seem right, so he didn't do it. In 2023 he showed, told if not on the board then there's no hearing & was told rescheduled to 6/**/24. He received hearing reminder dated 6 /*/24 for 6/**/24. Got another letter 6/**/24 issued 5 days later for another postponement now to 4/2025. They didn't expect him to want to come to NY to appear before judge to plead his case, by now expected him to give up & pay. He's showing up on 6/**/24 just in case there's a next letter in mail saying it's still on 6/**/24 and he didn't show up & lose by default.
camera tickets don't have points and don't go on your record. if you're paying more in travel costs to fight this ticket then you lost the plot. Also you say "they didn't expect him to want to come to NY to appear before judge to plead his case, by now expected him to give up & pay". Trust me nobody in the DOT is putting this thought or much of any thought into this case.
What are the consequences of entering an intersection as the light changes to red and a pedestrian remains in the crosswalk?
If you enter the intersection while the light is green, then you should not get a red light ticket. If you enter the intersection after the light turned red then you can get a red light ticket. Either way, entering an intersection while there is a pedestrian in the crosswalk is its own possible violation and may not matter if the light is green or red.
Can incorrect ownership details on a New York red light ticket lead to dismissal?
An error in listing the owner as the driver on a New York red light ticket does not automatically result in dismissal. However, other defenses may be available so best to consult with a traffic ticket attorney.
If you have been injured by a driver who ran a redlight, you can consult the Sternberg Injury Law Firm to discuss your case
Disclaimer: All the content of this website has been prepared by Benjamin Goldman Law Office PC for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. The information on this website shall not be construed as an offer to represent you, nor is it intended to create, nor shall the receipt of such information constitute, an attorney-client relationship. Our hope is that you will find the information useful and informative, and we would be happy to communicate with you and answer any questions you may have about our legal services. Readers should not act upon the information on this website, or decide not to act based upon the information on this website, without first seeking appropriate professional counsel from an attorney licensed in the home state of the drivers license of the person who received the relevant traffic citation.
Benjamin Goldman Law Office
For a New York City red light ticket that was issued by a police officer at a traffic stop, the hearings can indeed be postponed multiple times. However, if we're dealing with a camera ticket, not a ticket issued by a police officer, then it's vital to weigh the costs and hassle against the benefits of fighting the ticket. Camera tickets do not go on your driving record, do not have points, and do not impact your insurance rates.