Kings County Traffic Ticket Records

Kings County traffic ticket records are handled differently from most of New York State because Kings County is Brooklyn, one of the five boroughs of New York City. Non-criminal moving violations in Brooklyn go through the DMV Traffic Violations Bureau instead of a local court. The TVB uses administrative law judges rather than the standard court system. Criminal traffic charges like DWI still go through Kings County Criminal Court. Understanding which system holds your traffic ticket records is the first step to resolving any Brooklyn traffic ticket.

Kings County Traffic Ticket Records and the TVB

The Traffic Violations Bureau handles all non-criminal moving violations in Kings County. This is the system for speeding, running red lights, improper turns, cell phone use, and other moving violations in Brooklyn. The TVB does not handle parking tickets, red light camera tickets, speed camera tickets, or criminal charges. Those go through other systems.

Kings County has two TVB office locations. Brooklyn North is at 625 Atlantic Avenue, 2nd Floor, between Fort Greene Place and 6th Avenue. Brooklyn South is at 2875 West 8th Street, between Sheepshead Bay Road and Surf Avenue. Both offices are open Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday from 8:30 AM to 4 PM. On Thursday, hours extend to 6 PM. You need a scheduled hearing or an online reservation to get in. Walk-ins are not accepted.

The TVB system is different from the rest of New York State. Outside NYC, you can often plead guilty by mail and pay a fine without going to court. In Kings County, every ticket that goes to the TVB requires a hearing before an Administrative Law Judge. You cannot just plead guilty and pay. The judge hears the case and decides the outcome.

How to Respond to Kings County Traffic Tickets

For TVB tickets in Kings County, you have options. You can plead or pay online using the DMV website. You need your full name, ZIP code, ticket number, violation date, and date of birth. You can also call 718-488-5710 to plead by phone. Or you can mail your plea. All methods eventually lead to a hearing with an Administrative Law Judge.

If you want a hearing, you can attend in person at one of the two Brooklyn TVB offices, appear virtually, or submit a Statement in Place of Personal Appearance. The judge holds the hearing and sends the decision by email. At the hearing, you can testify, bring witnesses, and present evidence. You may also hire a lawyer to represent you. The judge has authority to find you guilty, set fines, and take action on your license.

Do not ignore a Kings County traffic ticket. If you fail to respond or miss your hearing, the TVB enters a default conviction. The DMV then suspends your license. A $70 fee per ticket gets added. Getting the suspension lifted means going back to the TVB, resolving the case, and paying all outstanding fees.

Kings County Criminal Court and Traffic Cases

Serious traffic offenses in Kings County do not go to the TVB. They go to Kings County Criminal Court at 120 Schermerhorn Street, Brooklyn, NY 11201. General information is available at (646) 386-4900. The Administrative Judge is Hon. Tamiko Amaker and the Chief Clerk is Antonio Diaz.

Criminal traffic charges include DWI, driving on a suspended license, reckless driving causing injury, vehicular assault, and leaving the scene of an accident. These cases involve arraignments, possible bail, and the full criminal court process. Arraignments run Monday through Sunday from 9:00 AM to 1:00 AM. All other court parts and clerk offices operate Monday through Friday from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, except holidays. Desk appearance tickets follow the same schedule as arraignments.

What Do Kings County Traffic Tickets Cost

Fines for Kings County traffic ticket records follow the same state schedule as everywhere else. Under VTL Section 1800, a first traffic infraction costs up to $150. Second offense within 18 months goes to $300. Third or more reaches $450. Surcharges are added on top of every fine.

Speeding fines depend on how fast you were going under VTL Section 1180. Going 1 to 10 over costs $45 to $150. Between 11 and 30 over, the range is $90 to $300. More than 30 over carries $180 to $600. School zone violations double all fines. The point system applies to all convictions. Common point values from Kings County tickets include 3 points for speeding 1 to 10 mph over, 4 points for 11 to 20 over, 6 points for 21 to 30 over, 8 points for 31 to 40 over, and 11 points for more than 40 over. Cell phone use and texting each carry 5 points.

Camera Tickets in Kings County

Brooklyn has both red light cameras and school zone speed cameras. These create traffic ticket records, but they work differently from officer-issued tickets. Camera tickets go to the vehicle owner, not the driver. They do not add points to anyone's driving record. Under VTL Section 1180-B, speed cameras near schools issue tickets when you go more than 10 mph over the posted limit. Red light cameras under VTL Section 1111-A operate at hundreds of intersections across NYC.

Camera violations are civil penalties. You pay a fine but get no points. The NYC Department of Finance handles these tickets, not the TVB. You can pay or dispute them through the city's online portal. If you do not pay within 30 days, a $25 penalty gets added. Photos from the cameras do not show the driver's face.

Kings County Tickets on Your Driving Abstract

Every TVB conviction in Kings County shows up on your DMV driving record. Order your abstract through MyDMV for $7 online or $10 at a DMV office. The abstract shows all convictions, points, suspensions, and revocations. Camera tickets do not appear because they are civil penalties against the vehicle owner, not moving violations against the driver.

At 6 points in 18 months, the DMV charges a Driver Responsibility Assessment of $300. At 11 points, your license gets suspended. A DMV-approved accident prevention course removes up to 4 points for suspension purposes and earns a 10% insurance discount for three years. Points count from the date of violation, not the date of conviction.

How to Appeal Kings County Traffic Ticket Records

If you think the TVB judge got it wrong, you can file an appeal. Use form AA-33 and include the appeal fee payment. The appeal goes to the TVB Appeals Board. They review the hearing record and the judge's decision. You do not get a new hearing. The board can uphold the conviction, reverse it, or order a new hearing. Check eligibility online before filing.

Kings County Cities and Traffic Ticket Records

Kings County is Brooklyn. It is part of New York City. All traffic ticket records for non-criminal violations go through the TVB system, not through separate city courts.

Nearby Counties With Traffic Ticket Records

Kings County borders other NYC boroughs and Long Island. Each NYC borough uses the TVB for moving violations. Nassau County on Long Island has its own traffic court system.