Traffic Enforcement & Prosecution

NY Route 199 is the major thoroughfare through the Village of Tivoli. Enforcement in town is handled primarily by the Dutchess County Sheriff’s Office. Bard College is very close to the village, which often leads to a higher police presence. Due to the low village speed limit, most speeding tickets are written for speeds less than 10 mph over the limit. In addition, the police regularly look for miscellaneous vehicle and traffic violations in areas with heavier pedestrian traffic.

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. Unfortunately, no special town prosecutor has been appointed to deal with tickets written by the NYS police. As such, Trooper tickets will likely have to go to trial, since they are unable to negotiate.

Local police officers generally prosecute their own tickets. Most tickets are resolved through plea bargains.

The wait to speak to speak to the officers is typically not very long. Less than a 1 hour wait is usual. 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.