Traffic Infractions
To: Individuals Charged with Traffic Infractions Pending in the Geddes Town Court
This court has received an accusatory instrument alleging that you have committed an offense. You are presumed innocent until proven guilty and you have the right to retain an attorney to represent you now, or at any stage in these proceedings.
You have various procedural options in the course of bringing this matter to a just disposition. You may choose to proceed in any of the following manners, or any other legally authorized manner. You may want to consult an attorney for guidance or representation before determining which course of action you will pursue. The court may not provide you with a recommendation as to how you should proceed, or as to which of these or any other options you should choose.
You May:
Plead Not Guilty.
By pleading ‘Not Guilty’ you exercise your right to a public trial at which the People of the State of New York, represented by the prosecution, must prove, beyond a reasonable doubt, that you have committed the offense alleged in the accusatory instrument. At the trial you will have the right to hear, see and challenge the evidence submitted to prove your guilt, including, confronting, by cross examination, the Police Officer, Peace Officer or other witness or witnesses who testify against you. You have the right to have witnesses testify on your behalf and you may, but you are not required to, testify on your own behalf. The court will determine, after hearing all the evidence submitted at the trial, whether or not the People have proven guilt beyond a reasonable doubt, and will render an appropriate verdict.
Plead Guilty as Charged.
By pleading Guilty you waive your right to a trial at which the People of the State of New York, represented by the prosecution, must prove beyond a reasonable doubt that you committed the offense alleged in the accusatory instrument. A Plea of Guilty will subject you to sentencing, by the judge presiding, to any legally authorized sentence. You may withdraw, with the court’s permission, your plea of guilty at any time prior to sentencing and exercise your right to a trial.
If you do not live locally or cannot appear in court and wish to correspond with the ADA in writing, click on the link for Traffic Infraction Reduction Request Instructions.
Please note that this is for TRAFFIC INFRACTIONS ONLY and does not include traffic misdemeanors such as Aggravated Unlicensed Operation (VTL Section 511), Operating on a Suspended Registration (VTL Section 512 or 355), DWI (VTL Section 1192) or Reckless Driving (VTL Section 1212). Misdemeanor charges require an appearance in court. Failure to appear in court on a Misdemeanor charge may result in a warrant of arrest.
Should you have any questions concerning this process, contact the Court Clerk at 315-468-3613 for further instruction.