Is there a statute of limitations on traffic tickets in New York?
Statute of limitations only applies to when you DON’T get caught. For example, you commit robbery and get away. If they don’t catch you in 5 years, you are beyond prosecution. You where caught and got a ticket. It is a non-criminal offense and therefore is not covered under speedy trial laws, like crimes are. They can pretty much take as long as they want. Usually though, they can only postpone it 2 or 3 times, then you can make a motion to dismiss, especially if the officer has missed. Here is the good news….Insurance companies can only surcharge you from the date of the offence. The longer it takes to resolve the summons, the longer it takes to hit your insurance. In NYS, they can only surcharge you for 3 years. That assumes it is a moving violation.
