CBS2 Exclusive: Nassau Lawmakers Agree With Complaints About Fees For Dismissed Tickets
HEMPSTEAD, N.Y. (CBSNewYork) -- A CBS2 story Thursday about parking ticket fees in Nassau County has received an overwhelming response.
As CBS2's Jennifer McLogan reported, many drivers are irate over a county policy of charging $30 even when tickets are dismissed. McLogan followed up exclusively on Friday.
Retiree Michael Greico of Mineola recently got a ticket for parking in a handicapped-accessible space – even though he is entitled to do so.
"It isn't the $30. It's the principle of the thing, OK? And it really pisses me off that you want to steal my money," Greico said.
Greico's blue and white handicapped permit was displayed on his dashboard, but he got a $295 ticket under the wiper blade of his minivan anyway. He was accused of parking improperly in the space at the Roosevelt Field Mall in Garden City.
"Sometimes you have to stand up for your rights," Greico said.
Greico took his ticket and handicapped permit to the Nassau County Traffic and Parking Violations Bureau.
When he got there, he was told the officer writing the ticket might have had trouble seeing whether Greico's permit was valid, because it wasn't hanging from the rear-view mirror. Still, Greico asked for the ticket to be dismissed – and it was, readily.
But that was not the end of the story.
"Oh no, no, no. Oh no, (they said), 'That's $30.' I turned around, I said: 'Thirty dollars for what? I did nothing wrong; you're telling me I'm right," Greico said. "(They replied), 'Well, you've got to pay the court fees.'"
The $30 Nassau County Driver Responsibility Fee is tacked onto every ticket -- whether the driver is found guilty or the ticket is dismissed.
Neighboring Suffolk County made headlines in 2013 for its $50 administrative fee for dismissed tickets. Following an outcry, Suffolk County dropped the fee and announced plans to refund the charges against the drivers.
Suffolk County Legislator Rob Calarco (D-Patchogue) said in 2013 the county made a mistake.
But in Nassau County, there are no plans whatsoever to drop the fee. Judge John Marks, Traffic and Parking Violations Director for the county, said the driver is responsible for defraying the costs of processing tickets and notices of liability.
"The difference -- a dismissal does not equal a 'not guilty,'" Marks said. "A 'not guilty' equals a dismissal, but not the converse."
Marks explained that drivers may choose to go to trial, and if they are found not guilty at trial, no fines or fees are assessed. But a ticket being dismissed without a trial does not equate to forgiveness of liability, Marks said.
But a trial could mean a day off work – more costly than paying the $30 dismissal fee. Less than 1 percent of those who are ticketed opt for trial.
Outside the Traffic and Parking Violations Bureau this week, motorists who came to pay tickets were furious.
"This is a money-making way of doing things – that's what they have been; all they care about is making money," said Nassau County motorist Sharona Abraham.
"What is going on at this county?" said Paul Keiley of Rockville Centre as he threw his hands up.
Nassau County lawmakers told CBS2 they are listening to the complaints.
"Be honest upfront," said Nassau County Legislator Judith Jacobs (D-Woodbury). "If the ticket is a $50 ticket plus a $30 fee, so to speak, make it an $80 ticket. Let someone challenge it if they wish. If it's dismissed, the entire matter is dismissed."
Some Nassau County legislators said they will bring up the ticket fee controversy at the next legislative meeting.
