ALBANY, N.Y. - Governor Andrew Cuomo wants to make it harder for motorists in New York to plead
down a speeding ticket to a lesser charge.
In his 2013-14
executive budget proposal, the governor wants to change the rules that
allow local courts to let a defendant plead to a
lesser, non-moving offense, allowing local municipalities to pocket
money from
fines that the state would usually get.
Some say the proposal will not sit well with motorists, because those who would
rather confess to a minor charge would no longer be exempt from getting points
on their license.
"It's going to cost an awful lot of money if the
governor does this," Arnold Proskin, an attorney says. "You're going to
have trials, your going to have to pay police extra money to be
there for their overtime."
Proskin says more trials would be a result of more people likely choosing to
fight their tickets in court, due to an $80 state surcharge the governor is also
proposing, for reducing a speeding ticket to a non-moving violation.
Cuomo says the state loses $58 million a year on plea bargains.
The proposal will need to pass in the legislature before taking effect.
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