Traffic Enforcement & Prosecution

The most heavily trafficked thoroughfares in the Village of Wappingers Falls, which is located in the Town of Wappinger, are U.S. 9 and NY Route 9D. Route 9 in particular has a busy commercial area with a relatively low speed limit, so there is a significant police presence. Enforcement is handled primarily by the NYS Police from “Troop K,” which has a barracks located in the Town of Wappinger. Speeding tickets are often written for speeds under 10 mph over the limit, as the police are stricter in lower speed zones. In addition, the police regularly look for miscellaneous vehicle and traffic violations due to the heavy traffic flow in town.

Traffic Court

Both village 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.

Criminal Law Enforcement & Prosecution

All criminal prosecutions are handled by the Dutchess County District Attorney's Office. The Dutchess DA's office has taken a fairly hard line on DWI prosecutions. In 2009 there were more than 3000 alcohol related driving arrests impaired or intoxicated driving (DWI, DWAI, DWAI-D) in Dutchess County.  Both the NYS Police and the Dutchess County Sheriff's Department made numerous arrests.  Most arrests occurred after dark with many taking place after midnight.  Police officers assume that many drivers 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 state and local police.

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 and, as a result are prosecuted by the Dutchess County District Attorney's office.  Non-DWI cases are handled by local Assistant District Attorneys, but DWI cases are handled by three "DWI Prosecutors" working out of the DA's office in Poughkeepsie.

Neither judge in Wappingers Falls Village 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.