Ticket for Moving Between NYC Subway Cars

[kokonur]

I would first like to link to someone else's situation 12 years ago.

So basically I was at the WTC waiting for the E train to arrive at its final stop. When the E train arrived, I entered into the first car. it smelled like cigarettes and I saw someone smoking in the first car. Because of that, I moved into the next car. I realized that the police noticed me and told me to get out of the car. I realized what I did was wrong. The officer asked for my ID, whether this is my first time getting caught by the cops (I'm 18) and all that jazz.

Now here's where the situation changes from that other guy's situation.

On the summons the officer gave me, instead of giving me a $75 fine for moving between cars, the officer gave me a $50 fine for "Disregard Notice" (TAB 1050.6(d)2).

While the officer was writing the summons, I asked if there was any way I can dispute the ticket, the officer said yes but it's likely that I will lose since they saw me do it. And if I lose, I would have to pay a surcharge. I did mention the reason I moved was because someone else was smoking.

The officer then asked whether I was in school or employed. To which I answered neither.

Then the officer gave me the summons and showed me the numbers to call. The officer then said I could dispute my fee because I'm 18, unemployed, not in school and some other guy was smoking in the car.

Is it possible in my situation to avoid paying the $50? Or do I just take my punishment for doing something stupid and just pay?

 

[FlyingRon]

You violated 1050.6(d)(2). The officer is not obliged to write you up for any law you violated. It only matters that you violated the one you wrote up for. You can certainly protest it at the TAB, but as you were told by the officer (and in the other thread), you will almost certainly lose.

Information here: http://web.mta.info/nyct/rules/TransitAdjudicationBureau/dispute.html

Being 18, unemployed, and not in school won't get you out of the ticket. That's not an excuse for criminal behavior. Even the fact someone was smoking is iffy. You weren't going to suffer harm by waiting until the next stop. But you can always try that.

You can try applying for a financial hardship waiver on the fine: http://web.mta.info/nyct/rules/TransitAdjudicationBureau/Waiver.pdf
However, $50 isn't likely to be considered a hardship rather than a lesson.

 

[kokonur]

You violated 1050.6(d)(2). The officer is not obliged to write you up for any law you violated. It only matters that you violated the one you wrote up for. You can certainly protest it at the TAB, but as you were told by the officer (and in the other thread), you will almost certainly lose.

Information here: http://web.mta.info/nyct/rules/TransitAdjudicationBureau/dispute.html

Being 18, unemployed, and not in school won't get you out of the ticket. That's not an excuse for criminal behavior. Even the fact someone was smoking is iffy. You weren't going to suffer harm by waiting until the next stop. But you can always try that.

You can try applying for a financial hardship waiver on the fine: http://web.mta.info/nyct/rules/TransitAdjudicationBureau/Waiver.pdf
However, $50 isn't likely to be considered a hardship rather than a lesson.

Thanks for the tip, Ron. I appreciate it.