Court FAQs

If one of my tickets is a misdemeanor, can I resolve it by mail?

No, you must appear before the court in person, a misdemeanor is a crime and cannot be resolved by mail

Can I resolve a traffic ticket infraction by telephone or email?

No, you must either appear in person or by writing (US mail or private courier like FedEx or UPS) to the court, OR request a reduction through the District Attorney’s Office. You can access the DA’s office through their website at this link: Chemung County DA’s Office

Can my driver’s license be suspended if I am licensed in another state?

If you are a licensed driver of another state, be advised that the State of New York has reciprocity with most other states and can notify the state where you are licensed that you have an unresolved ticket in New York State. Your state will then proceed to suspend your driver’s license.

What is the penalty if I drive with a suspended license?

If you are driving with a suspended license, a police officer can and will ticket you for "Aggravated Unlicensed Operation" which is a criminal misdemeanor grade offense in New York State.

Will the Court keep me informed as to the status of my ticket?

It is your responsibility to ensure that all tickets have been resolved. Generally, you will receive only one notification of your court date (either verbal if appearing in person or by mail if you respond by mail). If you have an attorney, you should stay in contact with your attorney and you should contact the court to determine the status of your ticket if you have not been advised of any future court dates. Be advised that contacting the District Attorney is not sufficient to resolve a ticket. You must enter a plea of guilty or not guilty with the court and appear or pay any fines as directed by the Court.

What will happen if I fail to notify the Court of my change of address?

If you fail to advise the court, in writing, of any change in your address, the court will be unable to notify you of any court dates. This will not relieve you of the responsibility of resolving the ticket. The court can and will proceed to notify the Department of Motor Vehicles to suspend your driver’s license if you fail to appear. If you fail to pay assessed fines and surcharges as ordered, you may face: a civil judgment and/or a previously-imposed jail term and/or re-sentencing which may include a jail term. Most all traffic infractions in New York carry potential jail terms.

Can someone other than the defendant enter a plea?

No. Only the defendant can enter a plea to their ticket(s)

What if I cannot make it to court?

Contact the court immediately. Only the court may grant adjournments. You are expected to find an alternative method to Court should you encounter any last minute problems such as your car not starting.

Who can I talk to about my case if the Court office is closed?

No One. Only the Court Clerk may answer questions pertaining to your case. If the Court Clerk is unavailable, you must attempt to contact the Court Clerk again. The office is normally open but it is occasionally necessary to close or be closed without advanced notice.

What if I need to make a payment on my fine and the Court office is closed?

Payments are accepted in the Village Clerk’s office between the hours of 8am to 4pm, Monday through Friday, excluding holidays. However, no one in the Village Clerk’s office can answer questions pertaining to your case, tell you the balance or amount due pertaining to your case, or acknowledge payment in full. It is your responsibility to contact the Court Clerk for information pertaining to your case, or acknowledge payment in full. It is your responsibility to contact the Court Clerk for information pertaining to your case.  There is also a drive-through Village “Drop Box” located behind the village hall, accessible off of West Broad Street.

Can I contact the court to find out the fine amount before I enter a plea of guilty or not guilty?

No, only the Judge can assess the fine. A fine will only be assessed once a plea of guilty is entered.