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PO BOX 750, Southampton, New York 11969

Traffic Violations Attorneys Serving Suffolk County, New York


Unlicensed Operation of a Motor Vehicle

Many drivers learn for the first time when they are stopped for a speeding ticket or other traffic violation and the police officer runs their license through his data base, that their driving privileges have been suspended. The suspension of driving privileges can result from a number of circumstances, including but not limited to, lapse of automobile insurance, a failure to appear for a traffic ticket or a failure to pay a traffic fine or DMV Assessment. Along with the ticket for speeding or other traffic infraction for which they were originally stopped, these drivers are also charged with the unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle. This charge may be in the form of a violation (VTL 509.1) or the misdemeanor of Aggravated Unlicensed Operation (VTL 511).   A VTL 511 misdemeanor is a very serious charge because a conviction on this charge results in a criminal record for the offending driver.

We assist drivers charged with unlicensed operation by advising them on the steps they must take with a court and/or NYSDMV in order to clear the suspension of their driving privileges.  Once the proper documentation is obtained showing that suspensions have been cleared, we appear in court (often without the personal appearance of the driver) for the purpose of seeking and obtaining a reduction to a less serious traffic infraction.

We appear on VTL 509.1 violations and VTL 511 misdemeanors in the Central Islip District Court, the Justice Courts of the Town of Southampton, Village of Southampton, Village of Sag Harbor, Town of East Hampton, Town of Riverhead, Town of Southold, Town of Shelter Island, Village of Quogue, Village of Westhampton Beach, Village of West Hampton Dunes and other town, village and traffic courts on Long Island, including Village of Islandia and Village of Port Jefferson. The Suffolk County Traffic and Parking Violations Agency (“SCTPVA”) also handles VTL 509 violations.

 Our process

Paul G. Tuths takes a personal, hands-on approach to the defense of your ticket for unlicensed operation. We interview you over the telephone and through emails and review your tickets and driving record to obtain as much information as possible regarding the circumstances surrounding your charge of unlicensed operation.  We provide you with detailed information on how to respond to the ticket and enter a plea of NOT GUILTY. After the ticket is returned to the court with a plea of not guilty on a VTL 509 or at the court date on a VTL 511, we appear and discuss a proposed reduction or dismissal with the prosecutor. On many matters we are able to proceed in court without your personal appearance pursuant to your written authorization and obtain a final disposition to a reduced, less serious traffic offense based upon a showing that your suspensions have been cleared. We will prepare the authorization letter for you to sign. From start to finish, Paul Tuths will be the attorney personally handling your ticket for unlicensed operaton. We DO NOT farm out cases to other attorneys to make our court appearances on traffic matters. We use our years of experience to get the best possible result for you.

Fees

We charge on a flat rate basis for our legal services on traffic law matters. The amount of the charge depends on the number and nature of the traffic violations which the driver has received. Our flat rate charge covers all services including review of the traffic charges and driving record, consultations and correspondence with the driver, court appeareances and final wrap-up with the driver. There is no charge for an initial consultation on traffic violations. Our fee does not include any fines and surcharges which may be imposed by a court. All fines and surcharges are the sole responsibility of the driver. Payment of fines must be received at the court by the due date. If payment is not received by the due date, driving privileges will be subject to suspension by the NYS Department of Motor Vehicles.

We do accept credit cards but clients usually pay our fee with a personal check.

Contact qualified traffic violations lawyers today

Paul G. Tuths has more than 20 years experience representing clients in courts on traffic violations, speeding tickets and other driving related charges. Contact our Southampton office online or at 631-287-0018 to speak to Paul G. Tuths about your traffic ticket. We stand prepared to do all we can to minimize the negative consequences of a traffic violation.