Tickets for tinted windows in NYC?

Business 5 views 3 answers
I got pulled over by two high patrol NYPD cops on 96th st in NYC and they pulled me over because they said my tints were too dark. They were going to let me free, but I had asked the cop what makes my tints illegal and he called me a wise ass and started walking away but then his partner proceeds to ask for my license and registration again and they run a test on my windows and give me 2 summons for my driver tint and passenger tint. Driver side was 16% and passenger side was 15% according to their "test". They really got me angry because of this and I am trying to do everything in my power to fight the summons and file a complain against the police officer (if possible). After they gave me my tickets I politely asked again what makes the tints illegal which was my initial question and this time the officer said 70%. However, the answer isn't 70% it's 30%...if I'm not mistaken. 1) Are these tickets correctable summons? If I change the tints can I get the judge to drop the summons? 2) Would it make sense to file a complaint against the officer who (CCRB) who essentially called me a wise ass and eventually wrote the tickets 3) What would be the best thing to do in my case?

Attorney Answers

3
George Conway ·
Anything less than seventy percent light transmittal is a violation. See: VTL 375-12(a). It is a "fix it" ticket. See: VTL 376-a(4) at: http://codes.findlaw.com/ny/vehicle-and-traffic-law/vat-sect-376-a.html
0 upvotes
Daniel Kron ·
I would not recommend filing a complaint against the officers until your matter has concluded. I would not recommend retaining an attorney as an attorney will probably charge you more than the tickets cost. I would advise that you contact your insurance company to determine whether these potential convictions will cause an increase in your insurance rates. If there will be an Insurance increase, I would fight the summonses. If not, I would pay them.
0 upvotes
Gregory GrizopoulosPersonal Injury LawyerWestbury, NY ·
The officer stating 70% may have not articulated that the widow must let 70% of light througg or it is illegal. Meaning your window only lets 16% and 15% through. 30% is how much light it keeps out, which is just another way or saying 70% of light transmittance, I wouldn't file a complaint. Fix the tint or pay the ticket and keep the tint. Next time just say sorry and the cop probably won't write you the ticket even though it's a violation. Most officers don't write tint tickets anyway. They just use it as a lawful reason to stop you to see if you are DWI or to see if they can arrest for a criminal offense.
0 upvotes

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