N.Y. Vehicle & Traffic Law § 1806: Plea of not guilty by a defendant charged with a traffic infraction

§ 1806. Plea of not guilty by a defendant charged with a traffic

infraction. In addition to appearing personally to enter a plea of not

guilty to a violation of any provision of the tax law or the

transportation law regulating traffic, or to a traffic infraction for

the violation of any of the provisions of the vehicle and traffic law or

of any local law, ordinance, order, rule or regulation relating to the

operation of motor vehicles or motorcycles, a defendant may enter a plea

of not guilty by mailing to the court of appropriate jurisdiction the

ticket making the charge and a signed statement indicating such plea.

Such plea must be sent: (a) by registered or certified mail, return

receipt requested or by first class mail; and (b) within forty-eight

hours after receiving such ticket. Upon receipt of such ticket and

statement, the court shall advise the violator, by first class mail, of

an appearance at which no testimony shall be taken. If the motorist

requests a trial, the court shall set a trial date on a date subsequent

to the date of the initial appearance and shall notify the defendant of

the date by first class mail but no warrant of arrest for failure to

appear can be issued until the violator is notified of a new court

appearance date by registered or certified mail, return receipt

requested, and fails to appear.