Handling Multiple Traffic Tickets

Multiple traffic tickets can be daunting, as each citation complicates your situation. Each offense requires a unique defense strategy, from speeding tickets to running a red light. The variety of scenarios demands a comprehensive approach to building compelling cases, addressing each ticket’s specific circumstances. Whether proving innocence, challenging the evidence, or negotiating for reduced charges, a tailored defense is crucial.

Motorists often underestimate the impact of cumulative violations on their driving records. Not only do fines accumulate, but demerit points can lead to driver’s license suspension or increased insurance rates. Effectively navigating this terrain requires understanding traffic laws and a personalized defense strategy. Without proper legal guidance, individuals may be disadvantaged when confronting multiple citations.

An attorney can work diligently to investigate each ticket’s circumstances and identify opportunities to challenge the citations. Those who retain legal representation empower themselves to navigate the legal process with confidence.

If you’re grappling with multiple traffic tickets in New York, take decisive action today. Contact Martin A. Kron & Associates, P.C. at (212) 235-1525.

The Complexities of Cumulative Violations

Understanding cumulative traffic violations is pivotal in navigating the intricate landscape of New York’s Vehicle and Traffic Code. The situation can stem from violations of different statutes within the code, presenting scenarios where individuals face multiple traffic tickets. One typical example is the combination of using a portable electronic device (texting) while exceeding the speed limit. Another scenario involves repeated violations of the same statute, such as running a stop sign on different occasions.

The Impact on Driving Record and Potential Consequences

The repercussions of cumulative violations extend beyond immediate fines. Each ticket contributes points to the driver’s record, which can accumulate rapidly, leading to severe consequences.

New York employs a point system where specific violations carry assigned demerit points. For instance, going 21 to 30 mph over the speed limit incurs 6 points, while texting while driving accrues 5 points.

Accumulating 11 points within 18 months results in a driver’s license suspension. This action underscores the critical need for a proactive approach to addressing multiple traffic tickets. A suspended license can significantly disrupt daily life and impede professional responsibilities. As such, seeking legal counsel to mitigate the impact on the driving record and explore avenues for minimizing fines and points becomes imperative.

Navigating the Legal Landscape

A strategic and timely response is crucial when confronted with multiple traffic tickets. The first step is to contact a lawyer immediately. Ignoring the tickets can result in additional penalties, making it imperative to address the situation promptly.

Follow your attorney’s advice on a practical course of action. Typically, you’ll have two options: pay the fine, an admission of guilt, or fight the citation. Opting for the latter entails presenting a solid defense in court to seek a more favorable outcome.

Indicators That Legal Representation Is Needed

Certain indicators signal the necessity of professional legal assistance. If you face multiple citations, it’s a clear signal to consult a traffic ticket attorney.

The importance of seeking legal guidance lies in the complexities of traffic laws and the potential consequences of cumulative violations.

Possible Defenses and Legal Strategies

The effectiveness of defenses and legal strategies depends on the unique circumstances of each case. For instance, fighting a speeding ticket requires a different approach than contesting a texting violation.

Understanding these nuances is vital in building a robust defense. A lawyer can assess the specifics of your situation and formulate a defense strategy tailored to pursue an optimal outcome.

You don’t have to face multiple traffic tickets on your own. Schedule a consultation with Martin A. Kron & Associates, P.C. in New York by calling (212)

What Are the Penalties for Accumulating Too Many Traffic Tickets?

By John Devendorf, Esq. | Reviewed by Tim Kelly, J.D. | Last updated on June 25, 2025

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Too many traffic tickets can get expensive with fines and court costs. However, too many traffic tickets can risk a suspended license and take away your driving privileges. Most insurance companies will also increase your auto insurance premiums if you have too many moving violations.

Ignoring the tickets can increase penalties and even result in a warrant for your arrest. Traffic laws vary by state. To understand the penalties for getting too many traffic tickets, talk to a local traffic violation attorney for legal advice.

Understanding Traffic Tickets and Points Accumulation

Most states use a point-based system for a driver’s record. In states with points systems, drivers generally start out with zero points. For each traffic violation, they get points on their driver’s license. The number of points can depend on the type of violations. Generally, minor traffic infractions get fewer points than more serious offenses. 

Points accumulate for a certain time period before falling off your record. After getting enough points on your record, your state Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) issues a driver’s license suspension or revocation. You have to wait out the suspension period to reinstate your driving privileges.

For example, a state suspends a driver’s license after accumulating 6 points in 12 months. A driver gets one point for running a red light, one point for an improper lane change, and 1 point for a speeding ticket 10 mph over the speed limit. After a 2-point speeding violation for driving 15 mph over the limit, the driver’s license is suspended.

Did You Get a Traffic Ticket?

You may be able to contest a ticket. Experienced traffic ticket lawyers in our directory can examine your legal situation and discuss options.

States Without Points Systems

A handful of states don’t use a points system. They can base license suspensions on the number of or types of violations. For example, the state DMV may immediately suspend a driver’s license for serious traffic offenses like hit-and-run or reckless driving. Contact your state DMV to find out how your state regulates too many tickets.

Immediate Penalties for Multiple Tickets

If you don’t fight a ticket in traffic court to keep it off your record, you will have to pay the cost of the traffic fine and any additional court costs. The cost of a traffic ticket depends on where you got the ticket and the type of violation. Speeding tickets can cost from about $100 to $1,000 or more.

Long-Term Consequences on Driving Records

The amount of time a traffic violation stays on your driving record depends on the type of violation and your state’s traffic laws. In most states, a minor traffic violation will remain on your driving record for one to five years. However, some states keep a permanent record of your vehicle code violations.

When driving is part of your job, your employer can also look at your driving record. They may not want to hire a driver with a history of drunk driving offenses, even if your DWI happened years ago. Too many traffic violations in a commercial vehicle can also result in losing your commercial driver’s license (CDL).

Impact on Insurance Rates

Insurance companies look at your recent driving record for about three to five years. However, your auto insurance company can drop coverage after getting too many tickets. You may need to shop for another insurance company to take on high-risk driver coverage.

The impact on insurance rates can depend on the type of violation. Parking tickets and non-moving violations generally won’t increase your insurance rates. However, some traffic violations are criminal offenses, with possible jail time. Most first-time DUIs are misdemeanor offenses, and insurance companies will increase your premiums for three years or more.

Penalties for Ignoring Traffic Tickets

Ignoring traffic tickets can make the problem worse. Generally, traffic tickets don’t go away on their own. Ignoring them can lead to a bench warrant for your arrest. If you miss the deadlines to pay traffic fines, they can add penalties and interest. Moving to another state won’t erase the problem. Most states share traffic violation information through the Driver’s License Compact. Talk to a traffic ticket lawyer if you have too many unpaid traffic tickets.

Legal Strategies to Mitigate Penalties

You can avoid traffic ticket penalties if you win your case in traffic court. You can challenge a traffic ticket by mail or request a traffic court hearing. If the judge agrees, you can keep the violation off your driving record and avoid the penalties.

For a first-time violation, many states offer traffic school as a plea bargain to keep the traffic violation off your record. After completing traffic school and paying the fine and fees, the ticket won’t appear on your public driving record.

Seeking Professional Legal Help

You can hire an experienced traffic violation attorney to take your case and fight the traffic ticket. Having a lawyer handle your case has many benefits, including their experience handling cases just like yours. An attorney can also appear in court on your behalf, so you don’t have to appear.

A traffic ticket lawyer can negotiate with the judge and prosecutor to reduce your charges or get traffic school to avoid the penalties. For legal advice on avoiding penalties for too many traffic tickets, talk to a local traffic violation attorney.

How to Fight Multiple Traffic Tickets

Question:

A few days ago I learned a lesson about not arguing with a police officer. I got stopped for running a red light and after getting in an argument with him I drove away with a fist full of tickets. Red light. No insurance card. Not ‘surrendering’ my driver’s license. Apparently, my license plate cover ‘obscures’ it. And allegedly not changing lanes safely when I pulled over which is bogus. The cop was a complete jerk and these charges are just because he was angry because I know my rights.

Response:

I’m sorry to hear that you had such a bad roadside interaction with the police officer. Most police officers are generally professional and courteous when dealing with the public. For now let’s set that aside and deal with the legal problem that you are currently in. You appear to have been issued five offence notices. I would need to review your tickets to give you accurate feedback on demerit point penalties. The red light charge is likely a 3 demerit point offence and the lane change offence is likely a 2 or 3 demerit point offence depending on what section of the Highway Traffic Act you’ve been charged under. The remaining offences are likely 0 demerit point offences, but we do still need to address them as they will result in a record of conviction on your driver’s license if they are allowed to stand.

My immediate concern in your situation will be the number and amount of fines pending, pending demerit points should you be convicted and their impact on your license, and the impact of any convictions upon your insurance. The first step is to get in touch with my office so that we can gather your information in more detail and your tickets. Once retained as your legal representative we will have the tickets filed with the court on your behalf. The court process can be a slow one generally taking anywhere from a half year to a year to complete, but so long as we have the tickets filed with the court before the filing deadline the offences will not be visible on your driving record in the meanwhile.

Once a court date has been set for your matter we will be able to file with the Prosecutor’s Office for a full disclosure of their evidence against you. Generally, once this evidence has been received and reviewed, we should have a reasonable appraisal of the strength of the Prosecutor’s case against you for each offence. Our paralegals deal with Prosecutors on a regular basis in evaluating the merits of their evidence and negotiating on behalf of our clients. Ideally, we want to argue for a complete withdrawal of all five charges if there is a legally meritorious basis to do so. If the charges are withdrawn they simply go away without any record to your driving history or any penalty issued against you by the court.

Sometimes damage control in reducing the number of charges and/or reducing the nature of the offences is the best-case resolution that can be negotiated on your behalf. We can certainly look at any potential resolutions and review them with you to determine whether they are worth accepting, whether we can likely further negotiate with the Prosecutor for a better deal, or whether trial would have a reasonable expectation of a better outcome. We can certainly help navigate you through this process and provide you with guidance through each step of the process to make informed decisions in your best interests.

Do You Need To Defend Yourself Against An Ontario Traffic Ticket?

If you need to defend your driving rights against an Ontario traffic ticket you should contact us as soon as possible. We have skill and experience in helping drivers just like you respond to a variety of traffic tickets  and provide free, confidential consultations to empower you to fight your charges. We help drivers throughout Ontario including Cambridge, Georgetown, London, Windsor and from our home office in Kitchener. Contact us online or call us directly at 1.844.647.6869 or text us a copy of your ticket to 226-240-2480.