Traffic Enforcement & Prosecution

The Town of Austerlitz has a relatively small court, but is quite busy as a result of traffic from the Taconic State Parkway. 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 devote part of their regularly scheduled calendars 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.