The Law Office of Rex M. Pietrobono

2 Sarles Street
Mount Kisco, NY 10549

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(914) 301-7500

The Law Office of Rex M. Pietrobono
Disclaimer: The Law Office of Rex M. Pietrobono is a law office, not a court. Any references to court proceedings or legal matters are for informational purposes only and do not imply affiliation with or representation by any court.

Rhinebeck Town Court, Dutchess County, NY

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Rex M. Pietrobono

Hours of Operation:
Court Clerk’s Office:
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday 9:30 am to 2:30 pm
Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday 10:00 am to 3:00 pm
Criminal Court Sessions:
First and Second Thursday of the month at 5:00 p.m.
Traffic Court Sessions:
Third Thursday of the month at 5:00 p.m.

Address:
80 East Market Street
Rhinebeck, NY 12572
United States

Phone:
845-876-3858

Fax:
845-876-8265

Email:
towncourt@rhinebeckny.gov
ejohnson1@nycourts.gov

Rhinebeck Town Court Lawyer, Dutchess County, NY

GENERAL TRAFFIC TICKET AND CRIMINAL COURT INFORMATION

The Village of Rhinebeck exists as a wholly separate municipal entity the borders of which are entirely within the Town of Rhinebeck. Town Court is held in the Town Hall, just east of the Village Hall. Rhinebeck Town Court has preliminary jurisdiction over all criminal and traffic related cases arising out of incidents occurring in the town. Such cases are on the Court’s Wednesday evening calendar. The Justice Court has trial jurisdiction over all cases if the jail term that can be imposed does not exceed one year. The office of the Dutchess County District Attorney prosecutes criminal cases.

Cases charging the commission of a traffic infraction are filed in the Rhinebeck Town Court if the alleged offense took place in the town’s jurisdiction. A plea of “not guilty” is required to be timely filed with the court either by the motorist or their attorney. There are basically two choices: a plea of “not guilty” which allows a defense to be presented in the case, versus, a plea of “guilty” which locks in a conviction of the offense “as charged” which closes the door on a negotiated resolution or trial.

In New York, an attorney may go to court on a motorist’s behalf without the motorist having to personally appear. The attorney may be able to negotiate a resolution for the motorist or set the matter down for a future trial date where the police officer is required to appear to testify and the defense puts on their case as well.  On traffic infractions, trials are held before a judge or “bench”; not a jury.

In addition to fines and sur-charges imposed by the court, convictions for speeding tickets and other moving violations can create other problems for motorists, such as, increased insurance premiums and a New York State Department of Motor Vehicles Driver’s Responsibility Assessment – additional fines or assessments owed directly to DMV based upon a motorist’s point accumulation.  Additionally, eleven (11) points accumulated with eighteen (18) months will result in a license suspension or revocation depending upon one’s record of conviction. See Point Chart below:

NUMBER OF POINTS ASSIGNED BY DMV FOR COMMON TRAFFIC OFFENSES

License Violation Points

VIOLATION

POINTS

Speeding (MPH over posted limit)

1 to 10

3

11 to 20

4

21 to 30

6

31 to 40

8

Over 40

11

Reckless driving

5

Failed to stop for school bus

5

Followed too closely (tailgating)

4

Inadequate brakes (private car)

4

Inadequate Brakes (employer’s vehicle)

2

Failed to yield right-of-way

3

Disobeying traffic control signal, STOP sign or YIELD sign

3

Railroad crossing violation

5

Improper passing, changing lane unsafely

3

Driving left of center, in wrong direction

3

Leaving scene of property damage incident

3

Child safety restraint violation

3

Improper cell phone use

5

Use of portable electronic device (“texting”)

5

Any other moving violation

2