Bedford Town Court
(Bedford Justice Court)
Westchester County, New York

GENERAL TRAFFIC TICKET AND CRIMINAL COURT INFORMATION

Surrounded by several major highway arteries, as well as, DEP and MTA jurisdictions, Bedford is a busy Justice Court since it has preliminary jurisdiction over all criminal and traffic related cases arising out of incidents occurring within the town’s wide boundaries. Such criminal 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 (i.e.; a misdemeanor offense). The office of the Northern Branch of the Westchester County District Attorney prosecutes criminal cases.

Cases charging the commission of a traffic infraction are filed in the Bedford Town Court if the alleged offense took place in the town’s jurisdiction. A plea of “not guilty” is required to either be timely filed with the court either by the motorist or their attorney if the elect. 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.  Many States are members of a “compact agreement” wherein your license may be also suspended in your home state for failure to respond to your ticket in New York.

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.

Seek representation at Westchester County's Bedford Town Court with Rex Pietrobono.

Call now for a free initial case evaluation (914) 758-1641.

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: