Unlike the other four boroughs of New York City, Staten Island (also known as Richmond County) is not connected to the rest of the city by subway and rail lines. That, plus its suburban sprawl, means Staten Island has more drivers per capita than any other NYC borough.
Despite its seeming disconnection from the rest of the city, Staten Island is still policed largely by the NYPD and its traffic tickets are handled at the Traffic Violations Bureau (TVB). The TVB is a judicial branch of the NYS Department of Motor Vehicles. It’s different from most local traffic courts in that drivers do not face a public prosecutor and cannot negotiate tickets. Moreover, the TVB requires a lower burden of proof to convict than most other courts. While all the TVB courts in NYC are tough, Staten Island is hands-down the worst: less than 3% of speeding tickets and just 5% of cell phone and texting tickets get dismissed—the least of any NYS county!
As tough as the Staten Island TVB is, it would be a mistake to just giving up and pay a Staten Island traffic ticket. New York traffic tickets are loaded with hidden fees and other consequences that can catch drivers by surprise. For example, a single ticket for speeding 21 mph over the limit is worth six points, which obligates drivers to pay what the DMV calls the Driver Responsibility Assessment (see below). Two such tickets in 18 months means the driver has gone over 11 points and is likely to have his/her license suspended.
But beating a Staten Island traffic ticket is possible! However, a skilled New York traffic ticket attorney can help obtain the best possible result. At the Rosenblum Law, our attorneys have many years’ experience fighting traffic tickets in the Staten Island TVB and the rest of NYC. Our attorneys have honed the ability to pick out flaws in the officer’s testimony and ensure that the charges do not meet the burden of proof. This is the most effective way to get a ticket dismissed at the TVB in Staten Island.
Moreover, our extensive experience in the Staten Island TVB office means our attorneys are well acquainted with the judges, clerks, and the officers themselves. We have worked hard to cultivate a positive reputation, which ensures that when we challenge a ticket, it is taken seriously and our arguments are given full consideration. This in turn helps ensure the best possible outcome.
The best part is that our clients almost never have to show up to the Staten Island TVB in person. For most cases, our attorneys can appear instead of the driver and present arguments on his/her behalf.
Staten Island Traffic Ticket Costs
Staten Island traffic tickets costs vary depending on the violation. The most common tickets and their respective fines and points include:
| Violation | Fine | Points |
| Speeding | $45 to $600 | 3 to 11 |
| Cell phone and texting | $50 to $200 | 5 |
| Seat belt violation | up to $100 | 0 or 3 |
| Red light violations | up to $450 | 2 or 3 |
| Tailgating | up to $150 | 4 |
As mentioned, fines are not the end of it. Anyone convicted of a traffic violation in Staten Island must also pay a mandatory state surcharge of $88. Those who reach six points on their license must also pay a Driver Responsibility Assessment (DRA) fee. This will cost $300 plus $75 for each point over six. Thus, a single ticket for speeding 21 mph over the limit can cost $788 ($300 fine + $88 surcharge + $300 DRA). Most moving violations in Staten Island are also likely to increase one’s auto insurance premiums by hundreds of dollars for each year the violation is on the driving record.
What’s the difference between Staten Island and Richmond County?
There is no geographic difference between the borough of Staten Island and Richmond County. The names are more or less interchangeable. The NYC government uses the term Staten Island while the state government uses the term Richmond County.
Traffic Tickets Data from Staten Island, NY
| Traffic Tickets in Staten Island, NY | |
|---|---|
| 2009 | 76,607 |
| 2010 | 79,664 |
| 2011 | 63,814 |
| 2012 | 58,522 |
| 2013 | 80,983 |
| 2014 | 79,948 |
| 2015 | 75,939 |
| 2016 | 84,151 |
| 2017 | 84,230 |
Staten Island is the least population-dense borough in New York City, which is why nearly 82% of households own at least one car (compared to Manhattan, in which just 22% of households own a car). In 2017, police in Staten Island wrote 84,230 traffic tickets to drivers. This is nearly identical to the amount issued the year prior, when 84,151 tickets were written. Speeding tickets made up almost a quarter of tickets (19,511) distributed in 2017. The next largest share was for disobeying traffic devices (11,141) followed by texting and cell phone violations (8,911).
Where is the Traffic Violations Bureau Office in Staten Island?
TVB Staten Island
159 East 125 Street
3rd Floor
New York, NY 10035
Let the Rosenblum Law assist you with your traffic ticket matter in Staten Island. We can offer you a free consultation about your case and have our attorney’s fight on your behalf. Email us or call 888-883-5529 today.
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