Not to be confused with the other seven counties in the U.S. that bear the same name, Orange County, NY is a vibrant, industrious region of the state. Here the Great Valley of the Appalachians finally opens up and ends. With a population of 370,000, the county boasts one of the highest tickets-to-population ratios in the state, with one ticket being issued annually for every three people. More than a quarter of those tickets (26.4 percent) are for speeding. Drivers who want to avoid the serious penalties that come from a speeding ticket issued in Orange County would be well advised to hire an attorney to fight the charges.
Counties Issuing the Most Speeding Tickets in 2018
| County | # of Speeding Tickets |
|---|---|
| ERIE | 49,584 |
| QUEENS | 41,881 |
| WESTCHESTER | 39,530 |
| SUFFOLK | 33,692 |
| ORANGE | 33,023 |
| BRONX | 28,189 |
| BROOKLYN | 28,090 |
| NASSAU | 23,605 |
| DUTCHESS | 22,463 |
| ALBANY | 20,285 |
New York Speeding Ticket Costs
New York is a costly state for speeding tickets. Fines can cost between $150 to $600, averaging around $300. In addition to the fine, drivers must pay a mandatory NYS surcharge of $88 to $93. Drivers who get six or more points on their license will also have to pay a Driver Responsibility Assessment (DRA). This is a separate fine that costs $100 each year for three years. Each point over six adds another $25 a year for three years.
Speeding Tickets Data from Orange County NY
Orange County ranks as the No. 5 county in New York for the number of speeding tickets issued each year. Most drivers ticketed skewed younger, with approximately 44% aged 29 years or less. More than 30% of speeding tickets were issued on Monday and Tuesday last year. Among those who got speeding tickets, nearly 20% also received citations for non-speeding violations at the same time. The most common were for licensing violations, such as driving without a valid license (23%), equipment violations (11%), and driving on a suspended license (8%).
Number of Speeding Tickets Given in Orange County, NY
| Year | # of Speeding Tickets |
|---|---|
| 2009 | 33,795 |
| 2010 | 35,101 |
| 2011 | 28,902 |
| 2012 | 28,658 |
| 2013 | 28,146 |
| 2014 | 29,244 |
| 2015 | 32,071 |
| 2016 | 33,291 |
| 2017 | 34,587 |
| 2018 | 33,023 |
Drivers charged with speeding in Orange County can choose to fight the charge(s) against them and either win a dismissal or negotiate a reduction in fines and points. More than 65 percent of adjudicated cases in Orange County result in a conviction for a different charge than the one issued. However, drivers should be cautious before assuming it is easy to negotiate a reduced charge; it would be wise to speak to an attorney to discuss the best course of action.
Orange County Geography and How It Relates to Traffic Tickets
Major routes in Orange County include I-84, I-87, State Route 17, and the Palisades Interstate Parkway. There are also two Hudson River crossings in Orange County: the Bear Mountain Bridge and the Newburgh-Beacon Bridge. Orange County is home to several prominent educational institutions, including the United States Military Academy at West Point, Mount Saint Mary College in Newburgh and Orange County Community College. The high number of freeways and young students ensure local and state police are ever vigilant for speeding and other infractions.
Hiring an Orange County Speeding Ticket Lawyer
The costs of a speeding ticket don’t end with the fines and surcharges. Pleading guilty (which happens when one pays a ticket) can increase auto insurance premiums by hundreds of dollars for several years. At the same time, ignoring the ticket is never a good idea and failing to answer the ticket in a timely manner can result in a license being suspended or even revoked. Drivers who are charged with a speeding ticket or other traffic violation would be well advised to fight the charge.
An experienced traffic defense attorney can analyze the traffic violation matter and provide a solid defense, keeping the fines and points to a minimum. In almost all cases, a person who hires an attorney will not be required to come to court.
Contact the Rosenblum Law to assist you with your speeding ticket matter in Orange County. We can offer you a free consultation about your case by phone or at our Albany office location at 113 Great Oaks Blvd (by appointment only). Our attorneys have represented clients in Orange County for both traffic and criminal matters, including those from the city of Albany, Cohoes, Watervliet, Berne, Bethlehem, Coeymans, Colonie, Green Island, Guilderland, Knox, New Scotland, Rensselaerville, and Westerlo. Call 888-434-0406 or email Rosenblum Law today for a free consultation about your case.