How To Resolve a Traffic Ticket

Look at the ticket to determine if you have been issued a ticket for a Misdemeanor or a Traffic Infraction.

White Computer Generated Tickets

Look in the section below your name and address titled "The person described above is charged as follows", the second row of information on the right-hand side has two circles labeled "Traffic Infraction" and "Misd". The circle with the X in it is the nature of the charge.

Yellow Hand-written Tickets

To the right of the letters "U.S. DOT #" in the left margin is the officer's signature, to the right of the signature is a text box labeled "Offense Type" and "Traffic Infraction" and "Misdemeanor". The checked box is the nature of the charge.

Misdemeanor Charges

If the misdemeanor box is checked, you must appear in the Court to be arraigned before a Judge on the return date written on the ticket.

Traffic Infraction

If the traffic infraction box is checked you have the following options:

• You can plead guilty
• You can plead not guilty
  
  • Request an adjournment to contact an attorney
  • Request an adjournment to correspond with the Assistant District Attorney who is assigned to our court for a plea bargain
  • Request the matter be set down for trial

How To Plead Guilty
Follow the instructions on the ticket. You need to fill out the guilty section of the ticket completely (including your current mailing address) and sign it. You can return your plea of guilty by mail or in person at the Village of Manlius Court Clerk's Office. If you send your plea by mail, the Court will notify you, by mail, of the fines and mandatory surcharge, if any.

How to Plead Not Guilty
Follow the instructions on the ticket, filling out the Not Guilty section of the ticket, signing it, and mailing it or delivering it to the Court prior to the scheduled court date. Be sure to include your current mailing address.

You may correspond with the Assistant District Attorney handling our court by sending correspondence to:
ADA
Megan P. Peter
C/O Manlius Village Court
One Arkie Albanese Avenue
Manlius, NY 13104

Any correspondence to the Assistant District Attorney must be received in this court prior to the scheduled court date. The prosecutor may choose to offer you a plea to a lesser infraction. If an offer is made, you can choose to accept it, or reject it. If you choose to reject the offer, the matter will be scheduled for a non-jury trial. Any offer made by the Prosecutor is only a recommended offer. The Court does not have to accept the recommendation of the Prosecutor.

Note: Before pleading guilty to a ticket issued as a result of an accident, you may wish to consult with an attorney and/or your insurance company about possible civil liability for personal injuries arising from the accident.

Note: Failure to appear on any traffic ticket will result in suspension of your driving privileges through the Department of Motor Vehicles and additional fees being imposed to lift the suspension on your license.