Upstate Court Directories

Title
Town of Gallatin Justice Court
County
Columbia
Address
1643 Jackson Corners Rd., Pine Plains, NY 12567
Phone
518-398-7690
Fax
518-398-6161
Traffic Calendar
Wednesdays at 4:00 p.m.
Criminal Calendar
Wednesdays at 4:00 p.m.
Traffic Tickets
Prosecuted by Columbia County District Attorney’s Office or the officer who issued the ticket
Criminal Prosecutions
Columbia County District Attorney's Office
Judges
Hon. Tia Denenberg and Hon. Fred Schultz

Gallatin, NY Town Court Profile

Traffic Enforcement & Prosecution

The major thoroughfare through the Town of Gallatin is the Taconic State Parkway, which runs the length of town. Enforcement is handled by the NYS Police from “Troop K”. The speed limit along the Taconic is 55 mph and almost all speeding tickets are written for speeds more than 10 mph over the limit. Stationary radar and laser speed detection are widely used on the highway. Speed enforcement is much more intense on the Taconic as it is considered a “more dangerous” road.

 

Traffic Court

Both town justices have “traffic calendars,” which are devoted to adjudicating traffic tickets. The NYS Police are prohibited from negotiating plea bargains on traffic violations. As a result, the Columbia County District Attorney’s Office handles tickets written by the NYS police. 95% of state police tickets are adjudicated through plea bargains with the prosecutor. The Prosecutor and both judges are reasonable about plea bargains as long as the speed is not too high.

 

Local police officers generally prosecute their own tickets, though the prosecutor may substitute for them. Again, most tickets are resolved through plea bargains.

Expect a line of people waiting to talk to the prosecutor about a plea bargain. A 1 hour wait is typical. Attorneys are permitted to appear without their clients being present for traffic court.

 

For more information about speeding and other traffic offenses, click here.

To read some Frequently Asked Traffic Law questions, click here.

For information about having the Law Office of Glenn Magnell defend your speeding ticket or DWI charge,, click here.

 

Criminal Law Enforcement & Prosecution

All criminal prosecutions are handled by the Columbia County District Attorney’s Office.  Following a tragic 8 fatality accident on the Taconic in 2009 the Columbia County DA’s office has taken a fairly hard line on DWI prosecutions.    In 2009 there were more than 1000 alcohol related driving arrests impaired or intoxicated driving (DWI, DWAI, DWAI-D) in Columbia County.  Both the NYS Police and the Columbia County Sheriff’s Department  made numerous arrests.  Most arrests occurred after dark with many taking place after midnight.  Police officers assume that many driver’s who are out after midnight have consumed alcohol and or drugs.  As a result they are looking for any lawful reason to pull drivers over in order to investigate possible DWI incidents.  Alcohol checkpoints were established several times by the a combined task force of NYS Police and Sheriff’s Department.

 

In addition to DWI and DWAI, numerous arrests were made for Driving While Impaired by Drugs, Aggravated Unlicensed Operation and Driving With a Suspended Registration.  All of these offenses are “criminal” violations of the law.

Neither judge in Gallatin Town Court is an attorney.

 

For more information about DWI, click here.

To read some Frequently Asked Questions about DWI, click here.

For information about having the Law Office of Glenn Magnell represent you, click here.