Suffolk Legislature OKs Payment Plan For Parking, Traffic Fines

RIVERHEAD, N.Y. (CBSNewYork) -- The Suffolk County Legislature has passed a bill creating a payment plan for parking and traffic fines.

The bill, sponsored by Legislator Kara Hahn, D-Setauket, was introduced after lawmakers heard one woman's nightmare story about how she could not afford to pay a $350 ticket. After a few months, her driver's license was suspended and she could not get to work, the woman said. And with late fees, the woman was being eventually ordered to pay nearly $500.

"Not everyone out there can come up with $350 right now," Hahn told WCBS 880's Sophia Hall. "It just makes sense to allow them to have four months, six months, a year.

"It's a vicious cycle, and people who live paycheck to paycheck can't afford it," Hahn added.

The plan will be available for parking tickets and moving-violation tickets that have been reduced after a hearing.