Court
Frequently Asked Questions
Instructions: Click a question to view the answer.
What if I misplaced the original fine notice?
If you are suspended or have a pending suspension, be sure to call the Court Clerk to confirm the amount due. You may need to include the Suspension Termination Fee. Payment authorization forms listing improper amounts will not be processed.
Can I pay by credit card over the phone?
Can I pay with a personal or business check?
What if I misplaced the original final notice?
If you are suspended or have a pending suspension, be sure to call the Court Clerk to confirm the amount due. You may need to include the Suspension Termination Fee. Payment authorization forms listing improper amounts will not be processed.
How do I make my fine payment to the Court?
Methods of payment accepted are US currency, money order, or certified check payable to "Town of Binghamton Court". When submitting your money order or certified check, be sure to include a case number, ticket number, or name and date of birth to ascertain proper posting. If paying by VISA or MasterCard, please follow the instructions on your fine notice letter as payment can only be processed with a copy of card, photo copy of driver's license for verification or signature. No on-line or credit card payments over the phone accepted.
Send to: Town of Binghamton Court, 279 Park Avenue, Binghamton, NY 13903.
If you want your receipt, send a self-addressed stamped envelope with your payment.
What is the Driver's Responsibility Act (DRA), and do I have to pay that fee? Even if I am not a NYS driver?
Go to NYS Department of Motor Vehicles website at www.nysdmv.com for a clearer explanation of that fee, or call 1-518-402-2851.
Yes, you must pay that fee according to the instructions you received or outlined on that site. It is a separate fee imposed by NYSDMV and is apart from the fine/surcharge you must pay to the Court. Yes, even if you are NOT a New York State licensed driver, you will have to pay that fee.
I paid my fine to the Court, why did I get another notice to pay an additional $300 or more?
That notice came from the NYS DMV and is separate from any fines or surcharges paid to the Court. The fee is called Driver's Responsibility Act (DRA). Go to www.nysdmv.com for any qeustions pertaining to that fee.
My license is suspended or is going to be scofflaw suspended. What do I do?
Depending on the reason for your suspension, you must either pay the fine/surcharge due or appear in Court.
If your license is suspended, and the effective date is July 5, 2009, or before, you will be required to pay a Suspension Termination Fee of $35 per suspension.
For suspensions that go into effect on or after July 6, 2009, you will be required to pay a Suspension Termination Fee of $70 per suspension.
The Notice of Suspension from NYSDMV will give further information regarding this fee, or you can go to their website at www.nysdmv.com Submit your identified payment as outlined in "How do I make a fine payment?" Send the Notice of License Suspension Order for endorsement and verification of the suspension date. Call the Court Clerk if you do not know the total amount due or for information on scheduling a new Court date.
What is the effect of a conviction or points on my out-of-state license?
To find out information regarding your license status or the effect of a conviction, contact or visit your licensing State Department of Motor Vehicles.
How do I contact the NYS DMV?
The phone number for the NYS DMV is:
1-518-474-0774.
You can also visit their website at: www.nysdmv.com
How would a conviction or points affect my NYS license?
How many points are assessed? (point assessment chart as established by NYSDMV)
Speeding over the posted limit:
1 - 10 mph = 3 points
11 - 20 mph = 4 points
21 - 30 mph = 5 points
31 - 40 mph = 6 points
Greater than 40 mph = 11 points
Failure to obey traffic control device = 2 points
Speed not reasonable / too fast for conditions = 3 points
Pass red light / stop sign = 3 points
Unsafe lane change = 3 points
Failure to yield = 3 points
Improper passing = 3 points
Following too close = 4 points
For clarity, go to www.nysdmv.com
How do I contact the Broome County Public Defender's Office?
Broome County Public Defender's Office
PO Box 1766
Binghamton, NY 13902
Physical address:
George Harvey Justice Building
45 Hawley Street - 6th Floor
Binghamton, NY 13902
How do I file for a small claim or eviction?
In order to file a small claim, the party you are filing against must live, work, or have a place of business in the Town of Binghamton. They must receive their mail in the Town of Binghamton. You must have the exact mailing address (no PO Box is acceptable).
The allowable maximum amount for a claim is $3,000. For a claim up to $1,000., the filing fee is $10. For a claim over $1,000., the filing fee is $15.
For more information, you can pick up a small claims booklet from the Court.
Additional resource:
http://www.nycourts.gov/courts/8jd/pdfs/L&T/nonpay/NonPaymentManual.pdf
Tenants and Landlords
For small claims and evictions, you can go to: http://tenant.net/court/howcourt/sclaim.html to download Landlord/Tenant forms.
Is there an alternative to filing a Small Claim?
Yes, you can contact ACCORD (A Center for Dispute Resolution, Inc.). This is a mediator service which is free. In Broome County, you can call (607) 724-5153 or e-mail to accord@stny.rr.com
What if I am summoned to be a witness?
If you receive a summons to be a witness, you should contact the Broome County District Attorney's office at (607) 778-2198 or 778-2423 for further information.
What if I am summoned to be Juror?
If you receive a summons to be a juror, you should contact the Broome County Commissioner of Jurors at 778-2159 or the Town of Binghamton Court at 772-0357, ext. 19 for further information.
What other violations within the Town of Binghamton are brought before the Court?
All violations of the Town of Binghamton Code including zoning, noise ordinance, property maintenance, and dog problems are heard by the Town Court.
How much is the filing fee for an eviction?
How do I contact the Broome County District Attorney's office?
Broome County District Attorney's Office
45 Hawley Street - 4th Floor
PO Box 1766
Binghamton, NY 13902
(607) 778-2198
What are Pre-Trial and Trial Conferences?
The Town of Binghamton Court holds pre-trial and trial conferences on the 4th Tuesday of every other month. The Broome County District Attorney's office will attempt to resolve any discrepancies in the case and negotiate a plea or set the matter for trial. On the pre-trial and trial dates, defendants will appear with or without an attorney.
Do I need a lawyer to appear in court with me?
Although you are not required to have an attorney, it is not recommended that you proceed to trial without the aid of Counsel.
What if I missed my court date?
Call the court immediately. You may be subject to a license suspension or a warrant will be issued for your arrest.
What is a supporting deposition?
A supporting deposition is a more detailed account of the ticket you were issued. If you received an electronically generated ticket, you may have been handed the supporting deposition at the same time you were handed your ticket from the officer.
How do I answer my traffic ticket?
Every motorist receiving a ticket must respond to the ticket.
If the charge(s) are NOT misdemeanors, you can either appear on the date listed on the ticket, or you can sign the back and enter your plea of either guilty or not guilty. You then mail it to the court at the following address:
Town of Binghamton Court
279 Park Avenue
Binghamton, NY 13903
NOTE: Review your ticket(s). To plead guilty, complete Sectino A of your ticket. To plead not guilty, complete Section B of your ticket.
Upon a plea of guilty, the judge will impose a sentence which could consist of a fine. Also imposed would be the NYS mandated surcharge. You will be notified by mail of the amount due and the process to make the payment.
Upon a plea of not guilty, you will be scheduled for a pre-trial conference. Once your plea of not guilty is received and accepted by the court, you will receive the notice scheduling this conference.
If you have been charged with a misdemeanor, you must appear in person on the date and time listed on the ticket.
Why isn't the fine listed on my ticket? Because the judge will assess the penalty. Once a plea of guilty has been entered, the judge determines the sentence and in most cases assesses the fine on each ticket filed in the court. Once assessed, a Notice of Fine will be mailed to you with the amount due and the instruction for payment.