Horseheads Village Court
Phone: (607) 739-0158
Fax: (607) 796-0263
Email: ktalcott@nycourts.gov
No, you must appear before the court in person, a misdemeanor is a crime and cannot be resolved by mail
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
No. Only the defendant can enter a plea to their ticket(s)
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.
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.
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.
No, only the Judge can assess the fine. A fine will only be assessed once a plea of guilty is entered.