Traffic Violations

PLEASE NOTE: Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Monroe County District Attorney's Office will handle some traffic matters via mail so that you can avoid coming to court. To see if you qualify, visit the Monroe County District Attorney's website here.

Pleading Guilty

You can plead guilty by mail by following the instructions on the ticket and sending the completed form to Brighton Town Court, 2300 Elmwood Avenue, Rochester, NY 14618. Upon receipt of your guilty plea a judge will determine the fine and the court will notify you of the amount by mail.

You will be expected to send the fine to the court within 30 days by bank draft or money order payable to Brighton Town Court, Visa or MasterCard with proper authorization, or on-line at www.allpaid.com. Know there is a service fee for all credit card payments. If you need time to pay, contact the court at (585) 784-5152 and necessary arrangements will be made.

Pleading Not Guilty

You can plead not guilty by mail, using your copy of the ticket given to you by the Police Officer. If charged with a misdemeanor, a court appearance is required. Follow the instructions and send the completed form to:
Brighton Town Court
2300 Elmwood Avenue
Rochester NY 14618

You have the option of requesting a supporting deposition which is a sworn statement from the ticketing officer that contains a more detailed explanation of the basis for the charge than is provided on the ticket. The supporting deposition is usually generated by the Officer at the time of the stop now that most tickets are being written electronically. If you did not receive a supporting deposition and you want one indicate that on the ticket when you return your not guilty plea by mail. There is a place on the ticket to check a box indicating your request for the supporting deposition.

If you mail a not guilty plea you do not need to appear in court on the date stated on the ticket. Upon receipt of your not guilty plea the court will schedule a pre-trial conference with the Assistant District Attorney and you will receive notice of the date by mail. The purpose of the conference is to discuss with the Assistant District Attorney a possible resolution to your case through a reduction or plea agreement, if one is appropriate. If the matter is not resolved to your satisfaction you may proceed to trial on a date to be scheduled.

A trial is the proceeding at which a judge will make a determination whether you are guilty or not guilty. At the trial the officer who issued the ticket will testify and you will have the opportunity to cross-examine him/her. Thereafter you and your witnesses, if any, will have the opportunity to testify. The Assistant District Attorney can cross-examine your witnesses and you. When the testimony is completed the judge will make a decision and will usually announce it in court at the trial. If you are found not guilty, the matter is completed. If you are found guilty, the judge will determine the fine and arrangements for payment will be made.

Court Appearance Without a Plea by Mail

A third option is to appear in court on the date designated on the face of the ticket. At that time you can enter a plea and/or ask for a trial. The Assistant District Attorney will be present to offer a plea reduction, if one is appropriate. You will have the opportunity to provide any explanation you would like the judge to hear. Your explanation will be considered in the resolution of the case.

Driver’s License Suspension Reform Act

The Driver’s License Suspension Reform Act (DLSRA) recently became effective allowing any person whose driver’s license was suspended for non-payment of a traffic fine OR a failure to appear in court to respond to a traffic summons, to have their driving privileges restored. The legislation also allows courts and traffic violation agencies to enter into payment plans with individuals to allow payment of unpaid fines and fees.

Additional information from the Monroe County Public Defender's Office is available through the links below. 

Use either link: https://tinyurl.com/DLSRA-FAQs or https://tinyurl.com/DLSRA-FAQs-Spanish