Syracuse City Court
Table of Contents
- Syracuse Parking Tickets
- Syracuse Traffic Tickets
- Syracuse City Court Traffic Ticket Costs
- About Syracuse City Court
- Syracuse City Court Process
- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Syracuse Parking Tickets
Parking tickets in NY are a cash cow for the government, especially in New York City. As of June 2020, there were over 51 million open parking tickets in New York. Since most NY parking tickets sit between $35 and $115, that's hundreds of millions of dollars just waiting to be collected. In Syracuse, those parking tickets go right to the Parking Violations Bureau.
The Syracuse City Court does not handle parking tickets. All parking tickets in the area go to the Parking Violations Bureau. There is no such thing as a criminal parking ticket.
Syracuse Traffic Tickets
All valid Syracuse traffic tickets go through the Syracuse City Court. Some go to the Traffic Court division. Some go to the Criminal Court division. Some never even go to court at all. It all depends on the nature of the violation and whether or not the officer writes the ticket correctly. Syracuse City Court is one of the busiest traffic courts in the state.
Between 2014 and 2017, police issued 127,984 traffic tickets. That's almost one ticket for each person living in the city. Those tickets accounted for more than half a million dollars. According to State Comptroller Tom DiNappoli's office, 2017 traffic tickets in the North and East Villages of Syracuse brought in $238,641. Those are only two small parts of the whole Syracuse area.
All of Onondaga County combined issued tickets with fines amounting to more than $7 million in 2017. The total between 2014 and 2017 is more than $30 million. Each individual town and village court in the city keeps a varying amount of that money. They usually keep between 25% and 50%, sending the rest to the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) and other government agencies.
Syracuse City Court Traffic Ticket Costs
As you know by now, Syracuse tickets can cost quite a bit of money. On top of the obvious fines, there is a whole list of other costs that you'll have to pay. Surcharges and additional fees are the main two. But a traffic ticket can also mean higher insurance rates. Getting a traffic ticket can increase your car insurance premiums by up to 79%. Sometimes, even higher.
There's a long list of penalties that you might face after getting a traffic ticket. If you've already gotten a traffic ticket and you're looking for ways to lower your car insurance premiums, check out our blog.
Traffic Ticket Fines
Traffic ticket fines vary from one ticket to the next. Even two identical tickets might cost two people different amounts. That's because Syracuse City Court takes into account your driving record, your ability to pay, and even your personal demeanor when considering how much to charge you.
In general, the fine for a traffic ticket in NY will be somewhere between $150 and $600. But be warned, Syracuse traffic tickets can go as high as several thousand dollars.
Traffic Ticket Surcharges
Traffic ticket surcharges are like a mean ghost that sneaks up on unsuspecting drivers. Many drivers think that pleading guilty to a ticket will enable them to pay the fine and get it over with. That is wrong.
After each traffic ticket conviction, the court will demand an additional $88 in surcharges. This surcharge applies to each ticket conviction you get. For example: If you get two speeding tickets and the court convicts you of both, you will have to pay the fines and an additional $176 ($88 times two).
Traffic Ticket Fees
A common question drivers ask is, "What is the difference between fines and fees?" The answer is that fines are the cost of the ticket itself and the fees are the cost of the circumstances surrounding the ticket. Let's take a deeper look.
If you get a traffic ticket for $100 and an $88 surcharge, you will have to pay $188. That's only true under average circumstances. If you happen to already have five points on your license before the conviction, you will have to pay significantly more. That's because of the Driver Responsibility Assessment Fee.
Look at the table below for more information. Keep in mind that these are only a few of the many fees that the Syracuse City Court and tack onto your ticket. Consult with a New York traffic lawyer or read the consolidated New York State Vehicle and Traffic Law (NYS VTL) regarding your personal circumstances.
| Title | Cost | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Driver Responsibility Assessment Fee — 6 Points | $300* | This fee applies when a driver receives six points on their license within an 18-month period. |
| Driver Responsibility Assessment Fee — Each Point Above 6 | $75* | This fee applies for each point above six that a driver receives on their license within an 18-month period. |
| Suspension Lift Fee | $50 | This fee is to lift suspensions related to traffic violations other than drugged or drunk driving. |
| Suspension Lift Fee | $75 | This fee is to lift suspensions related to violations related to courtroom procedures, such as failure to appear. |
| Driver License Reapplication Fee — Revoked License | $100 | This fee applies when a driver applies for a new driver license after having their previous driver license revoked. |
*This price represents the total over a three-year period. Each of these fines lasts for three years and is billed annually. For example, the DRA fee of $300 manifests as three installments of $100.
Traffic Ticket Penalties
The Syracuse City Court can impose many of the same penalties as the Onondaga County Court. We'll explain why in the section of this page entitled "About Syracuse City Court." These penalties are in addition to any fines, surcharges, or fees you will have to pay after a traffic conviction.
- License Suspension
A suspended license does not count as a valid license. That means you will not be able to drive your car or anybody else's. You will still be allowed to drive a vehicle on private property as long as you have permission from the owner. But if you drive a vehicle on a public road or highway while your license is suspended, you can face jail time and massive fines.
License suspensions in NY fall into two categories: definite and indefinite suspensions. Definite suspensions last a scheduled period of time. Once the time period is over, you can pay the suspension lift fee and get your license back. Indefinite suspensions last forever unless you do what the court asks.
For example, a court might suspend your license if you fail to respond to a traffic ticket. What you would need to do might be to simply respond to the court. Keep in mind that the exact circumstances of an indefinite suspension vary from ticket to ticket and person to person.
- License Revocation
A license revocation is a more severe version of a license suspension. Just like with a suspended license, a revoked driver license is not a valid driver license. That means you will not be allowed to drive anywhere other than on private property with permission from the owner.
What makes license revocations worse is that you can never get the driver license back. Instead, you will have to go through the entire process all over again. Since you cannot get your old license back, you will have to get a brand new license. That usually means going through the same tests as when you first got your license, but the court may add substantial fees.
Syracuse City Court might revoke your license if you commit any serious violation. Examples include hit and run, vehicular manslaughter, and failing a DMV road test.
- Jail Time
The Syracuse City Court can impose jail time. That is part of what makes it different from many of the other county courts around the state. For example, New York City's Traffic Violations Bureau only handles non-criminal traffic violations. The Syracuse City Court handles standard traffic violations as well as misdemeanor traffic violations.
It is possible to go to jail for a traffic ticket violation in Onondaga County. Aggravated unlicensed operation in the second degree and reckless driving are two examples of misdemeanor traffic violations capable of sending you to jail.
- Collections Agencies
If you fail to pay a traffic ticket fine, fee, surcharge, or penalty within 90 days of the infraction, the Syracuse City Court can send it to a collections agency. The debt collectors can then report that debt to credit reporting agencies. In one case, a single unpaid parking ticket ended up reducing a person's credit score by over 100 points.
These collections agencies can then bombard you with phone calls, text messages, mail, and other contact attempts to try to get you to pay them.
About Syracuse City Court
The Syracuse City Court is part of the Onondaga County Court. The Onondaga County Court is the primary court for the Fifth Judicial District of New York State's County Court system. The Fifth District comprises nearly a dozen bureaucracies that help the court system function at peak efficiency.
That includes the Fifth District Administration, Onondaga County Surrogate's Court, Appellate Division Fourth Department, and even the Onondaga County Supreme Court. There are also a few other organizations working closely with these.
The Syracuse City Court is the division of the Onondaga County Court that handles traffic infractions and misdemeanor traffic tickets. The Onondaga County court handles felonies and other non-traffic criminal cases. The only time that felony cases will ever go to the Syracuse City Court is when the court is holding preliminary hearings on behalf of the Onondaga County Court.
Syracuse City Court Location
The Syracuse City Court is located just off of U.S. Highway 81. It can be difficult to spot, since it is surrounded by other government buildings. Keep an eye out for the Onondaga County Sheriff's Office and you might find it. If that doesn't help, look for the big square building. That's the Onondaga County Clerk's office. They can always point you in the right direction.
The official address of the courthouse is as follows:
Onondaga Co. Office Building
600 South State Street
Syracuse, NY 13202
If the officer checked your ticket as "Tr Inf" or "Misd," you will still go to this location. If the ticket is marked "Felony," you're probably about to be arrested. Call a NY criminal lawyer as soon as possible.
Syracuse City Court Contact Information
There are plenty of contacts on the court's primary website. They're just a bit difficult to find. We've done our research and come up with the titles and phone numbers of a bunch of people who might be able to help you with your ticket. Keep in mind that most of these people only work Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Civil Division: (315) 671-2782. This probably won't come in handy unless you either sue somebody or somebody sues you.
Criminal Division: (315) 671-2760. This phone number can help you find information pertaining to your misdemeanor traffic tickets. If your ticket has "Misd" checked in the middle left of the page, you might want to call this number.
Traffic Division: (315) 671-2770. This is the main line that most people will be contacting. This phone number is for anybody who has received a standard Syracuse traffic ticket. That could be for speeding, failing to buckle a seatbelt, or any other non-criminal charge.
The Syracuse City Court has nine judges. Their names and phone numbers are listed below. Unless you have a lawyer present, it might not be a good idea to call any of them. Note: "Hon." stands for "The Honorable." It's a title given to judges.
- Hon. Ann L. Magnarelli: (315) 671-2772
- Hon. Derrek T. Thomas: (315) 671-2794
- Hon. James H. Cecile: (315) 671-2772
- Hon. Kate Rosenthal: (315) 671-2787
- Hon. Mary Anne Doherty: (315) 671-2794
- Hon. Rory A. McMahon: (315) 671-2787
- Hon. Ross P. Andrews: (315) 671-2772
- Hon. Theodore H. Limpert: (315) 671-2788
- Hon. Vanessa E. Bogan: (315) 671-2788
Additional Resources
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) sets out rules and regulations for organizations to follow. Courts have to follow those rules as well. The Fifth Judicial District Court's website has a page devoted to helping people understand what benefits the law entitles them to. Click here for more information.
The Fifth Judicial District also has standard schedules for each court. For example, Syracuse City Court—Traffic Court is in session Monday through Friday from 9:30 a.m. These hours can change due to holidays. Your scheduled hearing might also change. Be sure to check your summons and your ticket for any information pertaining to your scheduled appearance date.
We at WinIt also provide many additional resources to help you beat your tickets. Our traffic ticket lookup tool can help you find any lost tickets or new tickets that you might not know you have. The WinIt app for iOS and Android can help you network with attorneys in Onondaga who can represent you in court. This is particularly useful if you live out of the area.
Syracuse City Court Process
The Syracuse City Court Process varies depending on what your charges are. We will address each of the three processes below.
- Traffic Infractions ("Tr Inf")
First you obtain your ticket. Then you enter a plea. If you don't want to fight it, plead "guilty." Then you send the payments in and don't have to worry about going to court.
If you want to fight it, you plead "not guilty." Make sure to take note of your traffic ticket's appearance date (see: Reading a Syracuse Traffic Ticket). You will go to court on that date, argue with the officer who wrote the ticket, and hope that the judge sides with you. The judge will then either convict you or dismiss the ticket.
- Misdemeanors ("Misd")
The court process for misdemeanors is almost identical to the court process for traffic infractions. The only major difference is that you cannot plead guilty through mail to a misdemeanor. The law requires that you go to court on your scheduled day, regardless of whether you intend to fight the ticket or not.
- Felonies ("Felony")
Felonies go straight to criminal court. For more information, contact a criminal defense attorney.
Reading a Syracuse Traffic Ticket
All city, town, and village courts in New York use what is known as the "uniform traffic ticket." Everywhere from the tip of Long Island to Buffalo and the Canadian border, NY police use these tickets. New York City also uses TVB tickets, but you don't have to worry about those up in Syracuse unless you drive into one of the five boroughs.
Section one of the ticket is in the top left corner. It lists your information: Your name, the color of your car, your address, etc. A common misconception is that you will immediately win your case if any of that information is false. That's not true. Major mistakes like putting the wrong date or wrong violation code can result in dismissals. Minor mistakes like misspelling your name usually don't.
Section two of the ticket is the middle left of the page. That's the section that contains the charges against you. Pay special attention to the bubbles under "Tr Inf," "Misd," and "Felony." One of those will be bubbled and they each have significant differences, as mentioned above.
Section three of the ticket is in the bottom left corner. That's the court's information. It lists your hearing date and the court's address. You have to either pay the ticket within 30 days or attend court to dispute it on the appearance date. Keep in mind, you can get hit with late fees if you are convicted after that 30-day period has passed—even if you contest the ticket.
Section four of the ticket is the top right half. It lists basic instructions for filling out the plea options. It also lists the option to plead guilty and accept the full charges and consequences.
Section five is the bottom right half. That's where you enter a plea of not guilty. If you want to fight your ticket, this is your only option.
For a more in-depth explanation of how to read a NY traffic ticket, check out our blog.
Syracuse Traffic Ticket Plea Options
Syracuse City Court is run by the New York state DMV and the New York state DMV only allows two options: Fight it or pay it. Nowhere in the state of NY can you plead no contest (nolo contendere).
These two options still leave a lot of wiggle room for negotiations. A skilled traffic lawyer has a pretty good chance of negotiating your ticket down to a less severe offense. That's called plea bargaining. New York City is the only place in the state where plea bargaining is not allowed. Since your's is a Syracuse ticket, you have a bit of an advantage.
- Pleading Guilty in Syracuse City Court
If you want to accept all of the costs and penalties of your ticket, plead guilty. Pleading guilty is the legal way to admit to the court that you broke the law just like they said you did.
Just because you broke the law doesn't mean you're guilty! Many people mistakenly believe that they can plead guilty to a traffic violation and the judge will let them off with a good enough excuse. That is false. If you plead guilty, you will never go in front of the judge to present your case.
- Pleading Not Guilty in Syracuse City Court
If you want to fight your ticket, you have to plead not guilty. Like we mentioned before, it is sometimes a good idea to plead not guilty even if you believe you did what the officer accuses you of. That's because the only way you can present your excuse to the judge is by pleading not guilty.
There have been cases where judges have let people off with speeding tickets in the case of emergencies like a person giving birth, a critical injury, and so on. There are also cases all across the rest of the spectrum. If you have any kind of excuse, plead not guilty.
Pleading not guilty gives you the possibility of dismissing your case. That is the best possible option. When the judge dismisses your traffic ticket, you don't have to pay it, it doesn't show up on your license, and you don't face any of the penalties associated with a traffic ticket conviction.
Paying a Syracuse Traffic Ticket
Do not pay a ticket if you are planning to fight it. Paying a ticket is considered an admission of guilt. That's legalese for "If you pay your ticket, you will instantly be convicted." If you are planning to fight your ticket, do not pay until after the court has convicted you. The downside of this is that, after your conviction, you might still have to pay late fees.
Unfortunately, Syracuse City Court doesn't make it easy to pay your ticket. Other courts around the state allow you to pay online or over the phone. This court does not. The only options that the Fifth Judicial District courts list on their website are in-person and mail-in payments.
Disputing a Syracuse Traffic Ticket
Like we said before, the dispute process for Syracuse traffic violations starts with a plea of not guilty. There are two ways to begin the dispute process in the Onondaga area: mail in the plea or hand it in personally on your appearance date. The easiest way is usually just to go to court on your appearance data and tell the judge how you plead.
Immediately after the officer issues you a traffic ticket, take as many pictures and videos as you can. Take pictures of your car's position where you pulled over. Take pictures of any and every street sign nearby. Even tak pictures of the nearby trees or bushes. You never know what your traffic lawyer might be able to use to get your ticket dismissed.
Speaking of which, the sooner you hire a traffic lawyer the better your chances of winning your case. Traffic lawyers bring to the courtroom a level of legal expertise and experience can help even the best negotiators.
Once you're in the courtroom, you'll have around five minutes to make your case. The officer will argue in favor of the ticket. You will argue against it. The judge will make their decision. It's that quick. Without the expertise of a traffic lawyer to help you through the process, those five minutes are not likely to turn out in your favor.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- Do you have to pay late fees if you fight your traffic ticket?
Maybe. In some cases, you will have to pay late fees even if you fight your traffic ticket, but only if you lose. If you fight your ticket and win it, you won't have to pay any late fees. If you lose, it depends on the court date. For example, if you got your ticket on 5/15/2020 and your court date was 7/7/2020, you would most likely owe late fees on a traffic conviction.
- Where can I appeal a traffic ticket in NY?
In order to appeal the Syracuse City Court's decision, you will have to contact the county clerk's office. They will then provide you with the information that you need to proceed in the appeals process. You can reach them here: (315) 435-2227.
- What is my traffic ticket number?
Your traffic ticket number is listed in the top left corner of the ticket. It is usually a line of both numbers and letters. Look at the sample ticket in our article entitled “How to Read a NY Traffic Ticket.” That sample ticket's number is TS000RGB127.
- Do I have to pay private parking tickets?
No. The law only requires you to pay parking tickets written by police officers and government workers. If the Department of Transportation writes a traffic ticket, you have to pay it or fight it. If mall security writes a traffic ticket, you don't have to pay it.
Not paying a private ticket might not have legal consequences but it might damage your relationship with whoever wrote the ticket. For example, not paying a university parking ticket might cause the university to revoke your parking permit on their property.
- Where are NY's speed cameras?
The state of New York has hundreds of speed cameras in NYC alone, but there are none in Onondaga county. That means you cannot get a camera ticket while in the county, but you can still get one if you commute into the city, Rochester, or a few other places in the state.
- Can you get a ticket for driving too slow?
Yes. Section 1181(a) of the New York State Vehicle and Traffic Law allows police officers to write traffic tickets to anybody traveling at a speed that the police officer thinks is "unreasonable."
- Can you get a ticket for driving under the speed limit?
Yes. New York police officers can write traffic tickets to anybody going at any speed, depending on the specific circumstances surrounding the ticket. This is listed in sections 1180 and 1181 of the NYS VTL.
For example, if you are driving 45 MPH in a 50 MPH zone during a severe hurricane, you might get a traffic ticket.
- How do I find my driver abstract?
New York's DMV has a program called MyDMV that allows you to download PDF files of your abstract. Click here to sign up for MyDMV. You can also get your abstract at a DMV office or by mail. For more detailed information about your ticket, however, the WinIt app is your best option.
- Is the traffic ticket number the same as the case number?
Yes. Most of the time, traffic courts like Syracuse City Court will breeze through dozens or even hundreds of traffic tickets every session. To make things easier on the courts, lawyers, and you, the court tends to make the case number the same as the citation number.
- What if I lost my traffic ticket?
Use WinIt's traffic ticket lookup tool. This is the easiest way to find tickets that you lost or to check if you have any tickets that you don't know about. NY's DMV also has a way to get a copy of your missing ticket, but it tends to be more complicated and less accurate.
- What is a traffic ticket citation?
The state of NY uses the terms "citation" and "ticket" interchangeably. A traffic ticket citation is just another word for a traffic ticket. However, some local jurisdictions use the term "citation" to describe a more severe problem. In Syracuse, the two words mean the same thing.
