Traffic Enforcement & Prosecution

The Town of Fallsburg is mostly made up of rural highways, with no major expressways. Enforcement is handled primarily by the local police, with assistance from the NYS Police from “Troop F” and the Sullivan County Sheriff’s Office. As there are no major highways to patrol, enforcement is strictest in the most heavily populated areas and along NY-52. Speeding tickets are usually written for speeds less than 10 mph over the limit in lower speed zones. In addition, the police regularly look for miscellaneous vehicle and traffic violations to initiate traffic stops.

Traffic Court

Both 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, a Special Prosecutor 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 1-2 hour wait is typical.  Attorneys are permitted to appear without their clients being present for traffic court.