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Seat Belts Tickets: Officer Observation and Testimony is Enough

by Seth Azria on 1/02/2024

To be pulled over, it is enough for a police officer to observe the driver or passenger not wearing a seat belt. People v. Smith, 158 A.D.3d 1081 (4th Dep't 2018).

To be convicted of the seat belt charge, it is enough for the officer to testify that he saw the driver or passenger fail to wear a seat belt. Of, course the driver will testify that he was wearing a seat belt. This creates and issue of credibility for the judge to decide. In Whitten the judge decided in officer’s favor and convicted the driver. Whitten v. Martinez, 24 A.D.3d 285 (1st Dep't 2005).

However, a person wearing belt, under the arm rather than over the shoulder is "restrained" and therefore permissible within the meaning of the law. People v. Locke, 1 Misc. 3d 482, 765 N.Y.S.2d 468 (City Ct. 2003).

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As mentioned in many of the other reviews. Seth and Monica spelled out what should happen and it did. Ticket for my daughter from our of state was reduced to nonmoving violation. She was visiting colleges in NY, as she only has her permit a moving violation would have resulted in, a loss of her license for 3 months, driving school, and fines etc... 
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Excellent experience with this law firm from Syracuse. Mr. Seth Azria Esq. handled my speeding ticket in Watertown, NY with no problem for a reasonable $ 250 fee and saved me a plethora of points and high insurance rates. It was difficult to be a tourist with an out of state license plate on a rental car and not being familiar with local speed traps of 30 mph.... I would use the Azria & Bruffett Law Firm again in a minute if I ever get another ticket in NY. It is especially handy that they will take credit cards over the phone or online. Some firms I checked with required cash and I had already left the state.