First, thank you all for responding to this thread, I appreciate all the feedback. From logging onto the DMV site for my state and city here in New York it describes that as part of my options I can question the issuing police officer. I’m just not court savvy enough to question the officer without offending the court but I’ll surely try my best not to offend and show total respect for the court.

 

My hearing has been set for Tuesday, May 22 at 10:30 A.M. which means that I’ll have to lose a day’s pay from work which far surpasses the fine and surcharge pending for the summons. Not only that…the letter I received states that if I fail to appear, regardless if I’m found not guilty later on, they will not only charge me the fine and surcharge but the court will suspend my license and on top of everything else I will incur a suspension fee of $35 dollars. So already I feel as though the system is stacked against me. Whatever happened to innocent until proven guilty? I’ve been pondering how I can present to the court the loss which I’m sustaining by losing a day’s wages in order to defend myself for something I’m not guilty of. Any suggestions to this end would definitely be appreciated.

 

After speaking to my insurance representative who assures me that this summons will definitely be put on my driving record which they (insurance companies) rely on to determine future policy renewal premiums and further stated that a court find of “dismissed” would be understood as the case was not brought to term for one reason or another and therefore see this as an insurer’s liability opening the insurer to higher premium rates in the future. I would much rather want the issuing officer to be present at the hearing so that my driving record would show that I was found “Not guilty” (hopefully!). That then would not leave any question open to future insurance companies about my culpability in this case and not use this episode to raise my premium rates.