N.Y. Vehicle and Traffic Law 225 – Jurisdiction; transfer of cases; hearing officers; regulations
§ 225. Jurisdiction; transfer of cases; hearing officers; regulations. 1. Notwithstanding any inconsistent provision of law, all violations of this chapter or of a law, ordinance, order, rule or regulation relating to traffic, except parking, standing, stopping or pedestrian offenses, which occur within a city having a population of one million or more in which administrative tribunals have heretofore, been established, and which are classified as traffic infractions, may be heard and determined pursuant to the regulations of the commissioner as provided in this article. Whenever a crime and a traffic infraction arise out of the same transaction or occurrence, a charge alleging both offenses may be made returnable before the court having jurisdiction over the crime. Nothing herein provided shall be construed to prevent a court, having jurisdiction over a criminal charge relating to traffic or a traffic infraction, from lawfully entering a judgment of conviction, whether or not based on a plea of guilty, for any offense classified as a traffic infraction.
Terms Used In N.Y. Vehicle and Traffic Law 225
- Answer: The formal written statement by a defendant responding to a civil complaint and setting forth the grounds for defense.
- Complaint: A written statement by the plaintiff stating the wrongs allegedly committed by the defendant.
- Conviction: A judgement of guilt against a criminal defendant.
- Jurisdiction: (1) The legal authority of a court to hear and decide a case. Concurrent jurisdiction exists when two courts have simultaneous responsibility for the same case. (2) The geographic area over which the court has authority to decide cases.
- Plea: In a criminal case, the defendant's statement pleading "guilty" or "not guilty" in answer to the charges, a declaration made in open court.
- Summons: Another word for subpoena used by the criminal justice system.
2. Whenever the commissioner or his deputy determines that a charge alleges an offense other than a traffic infraction, he shall, and where a charge cannot be disposed of because of the non-appearance of the motorist, he may notify the court of appropriate jurisdiction and request removal of the case to such court. Prior notice of such request need not be given the motorist involved. Upon receipt of such request, the court may grant an order transferring such case, provided that the date on which the charge or charges must be answered before the court shall not be earlier than the return date which appears on the complaint alleging the offense. Notice of transfer of cases involving other than traffic infractions shall be mailed to the motorist at the address appearing on such complaint not less than ten days before the date of appearance indicated on his summons and not less than fifteen days before his scheduled appearance in such court. Notice of transfer of cases which cannot be disposed of because of the non-appearance of the motorist shall be mailed to the motorist at the address appearing on such complaint not less than fifteen days before his scheduled appearance in such court. Such mailing shall constitute due notice of such transfer. Thereafter, such case shall be treated in the same manner as if the complaint had initially been filed with such court.
3. The commissioner shall appoint such hearing officers as shall be necessary to hear and determine cases as provided by this article and may promulgate such regulations as shall be necessary or desirable to effect the purposes of this article. Such regulations may provide for a schedule of monetary penalties to be used where an answer is made, other than before a hearing officer, admitting a charge, provided that no such penalty shall exceed the maximum fine established by law for the traffic infraction involved.