LaFayette Town Court
2577 US RT 11
PO Box 135
LaFayette, NY  13084
Phone:  315-677-9350
Fax:  315-677-4622

Question & Answer Section

 Table of Contents

Question:
1.  Filling out ticket:                
2.  Fine not on ticket:                
3.   Surcharge:  
4.   Paying fine   
5.   Not guilty plea  
6.   ​District Attorney paperwork
​7.   Don't pay fine 
8.   Equipment violation 
9.   ​Hut Permit  
10. ​Calling the court
​11.  Evictions 
12.  Small claims
13. ​Court cancellations due to bad weather  

1.  What do I do with my ticket?
Ans:  Fill out the guilty or not guilty portion of the ticket and mail it to the court.  You can also fax your plea to us at (315)677-4622. Make sure your address is correct on the ticket. If not, please include the correct address in the guilty or not guilty section.  You will receive a District attorney appointment date letter if you plead not guilty or a fine notice from us if you plead guilty. 

2. Why isn't the fine amount on the ticket?
​Ans:  The Judge sets the fine after you send in your guilty plea.  

​3. Why do I have to pay a surcharge of $93.00?

Ans:  The state of New York has mandated a surcharge be paid. The courts are required to collect the surcharge. They have no discretion in this matter.​​

4.  When I receive my fine notice how do I pay fine:
Ans:  You can mail us a money order, bank certified check (in us funds) or pay by credit card thru www.paycourtonline.com or call them at 1-888-912-1541.  You will need your ticket number.  Please remember if you have a scoff fee you need to let them know or the payment will not be correct and we won't lift your suspension unless it's paid with the fine.  We don't take personal checks.  Make your payment out to LaFayette Town Court and mail to:  Lafayette Town Court, PO Box 135, LaFayette, NY  13084.  Please include your ticket number or case number on the payment or include a copy of fine notice with your payment.   

5. What do I do if I want to plead not guilty and request a trial?
Ans:    By pleading "Not Guilty" you exercise your right to a public trial at which the prosecution for the People of the State of New York must prove beyond a reasonable doubt that you have committed the alleged offense.  After hearing all the evidence submitted at trial, the court will render an appropriate verdict.  You must contact the court office to schedule a trial.  

What to do if you want to plead not guilty and seek a reduction? 
Ans: Please send your "Not Guilty" plea to the Court for an adjournment date to allow time for you to communicate with the Onondaga County District Attorney’s Office concerning an alternative disposition (be sure to make a copy of your ticket, will need to upload it to the DA website along with your DMV driver abstract).  The People of the State of New York are represented by the prosecution, and are responsible for proving the charge or charges against you.  More information on how to proceed will be sent to you or you may click on the link Onondaga County DA Traffic Instructions.
 
 

6.  Will I receive something from the District Attorney after my not guilty plea and paperwork has been reviewed?
Ans:  Yes.  It's called a DA Disposition.  It will have a reduction on the front or "plea as charged" written in.  If you agree to the DA's decision, you sign, date, and write in your address, make a copy for your records and mail back the original to us to the address of: LaFayette Town Court, PO Box 135, LaFayette, NY  13084. ( If your disposition from the District attorney requires you to take a defensive driving course, you will be required to mail us the certificate upon completion of the course.) We will then give it to the judge to set your fine and mail you the fine notice which has instructions on how to pay your fine with the date it is due. 

7.  What will happen if I don't pay my fine?
Ans:  Your license can be suspended. You will have an added fee of $70.00 for each ticket to lift your suspension.  New York state is reciprocal with all states so if you are an out of state driver, your state will be notified of your suspension in New York.   ​

8.  What do i do if I have an equipment violation that may be a correctable offense? 
Ans:  If it is corrected within 23 hours, you can mail or fax us the ticket with the dated work order and proof it was fixed for the judge to review.  You will receive a letter or fine notice from us upon completion of the review.​

9.  If I received a ticket for a Hut permit what can I do?
Ans: Have your company fax us proof of applying for a Hut permit which needs to include the date they applied. Make sure they send a copy of the ticket, name and address of the company with their phone number so we can send them the judges decision.​ 

​10.  Can I call the court if I have any questions that haven't been answered here?
Ans: Yes.  Mon-Thurs 9:30-12:30 & 1:30-5:00.  We are closed on Fridays and holidays.​

11.  If I need to do an eviction, who does the paperwork?
Ans:  We don't do the paperwork.  We suggest you obtain an attorney to help you with this.  Once the paperwork is completed we will schedule the court date.  Our fee for the eviction is $20.00.​
12.  How do I file a small claim?
Ans.  Fill out the small claims form. small_claims_form.tif Our court can only hear cases up to $3000.00. The defendant has to be a resident of LaFayette or have a business in LaFayette.  The filing fee for up to $1000.00 is $10.00 & $15.00 from $1000.00-$3000.00. Once you bring in your paperwork and the fee, a court date will be scheduled.  

​13.  During bad weather how will I know if court has been cancelled?
Ans:  We will post any cancellations on the main court web page. The television stations will also be notified of our court closing.  If court or DA night is cancelled due to bad weather, you will be notified of a new court date or DA night by mail.  If you mailed in your DA packet, it will be reviewed by the DA on our next DA night which will be the following month.