If you received a moving violation or parking summons in western Suffolk County, your case is most likely headed to the Suffolk County Traffic and Parking Violations Agency, known as the TPVA, at 100 Veterans Memorial Highway in Hauppauge. This is the administrative agency that adjudicates non-criminal traffic tickets and parking summonses for much of Suffolk. The Law Office of James Medows represents drivers at the Suffolk TPVA and works to reduce points, fines, and the long-term insurance impact of a ticket. No outcome is guaranteed, but having counsel handle the conference can make a real difference in how a case is resolved.
What the Suffolk County TPVA Handles
The TPVA is the non-criminal venue for traffic and parking matters in Suffolk County. Hearing officers, not judges, decide these cases. Common charges the agency handles include:
- Speeding and other moving violations. See our page on speeding tickets in NY.
- Cell phone and texting tickets under VTL 1225-c and 1225-d. Learn more about cell phone tickets.
- Red light, stop sign, and failure-to-yield citations. We handle red light tickets and stop sign tickets.
- Seatbelt violations and similar equipment infractions. See seatbelt violations.
- Parking summonses issued within the agency’s jurisdiction.
One important point about the TPVA: it permits plea negotiations on most violations. That sets it apart from the state DMV Traffic Violations Bureau used in New York City and some other areas, where plea bargaining is not allowed. At the Suffolk TPVA, an attorney can confer with a prosecutor about a possible charge or point reduction.
Where the Suffolk County TPVA Is and How It Works
The agency is located at 100 Veterans Memorial Highway, Hauppauge, NY 11788, and the main phone number is (631) 853-3800. Payments and correspondence are directed to its mailing address at P.O. Box 9000, Smithtown, NY 11787. Public hours are generally Monday through Friday during morning and afternoon sessions, and some sources report Thursday evening court, but posted session times vary by source. Always confirm the date and hours on your own ticket or notice, because schedules can change.
When you plead not guilty, the agency typically mails you a notice for a conference date. At that conference, your attorney meets with a prosecutor to discuss the ticket. If a reduction is agreed upon, the case can often resolve that day. If no agreement is reached, the matter proceeds to a hearing before a hearing officer, where the burden is on the prosecution. Many drivers retain counsel so they do not have to take time off work to appear in Hauppauge themselves.
The Criminal Counterpart: Suffolk County District Court
The TPVA handles non-criminal matters only. More serious driving charges are misdemeanors or crimes and are heard at the Suffolk County District Court at 400 Carleton Avenue in Central Islip, not at the Hauppauge TPVA. These include DWI and DWAI charges, reckless driving, aggravated unlicensed operation, and leaving the scene of an accident. If you are unsure which venue applies to your ticket, we can review the charge and tell you where it will be heard.
Who the TPVA Covers Across Suffolk County
The Suffolk TPVA generally covers traffic tickets issued in the western towns of Suffolk County, including Babylon, Brookhaven, Huntington, Islip, and Smithtown. Tickets issued in the five eastern towns, Riverhead, Southampton, East Hampton, Southold, and Shelter Island, are usually handled by local town justice courts rather than the TPVA. For broader coverage across the region, see our Suffolk County traffic court page and our Long Island traffic and criminal courts overview. Drivers facing tickets in Nassau can review our Nassau County TPVA in Garden City page.
What to Do After a Suffolk County TPVA Ticket
A few steps protect your options before your response is due:
- Do not simply pay it. Paying is the same as pleading guilty, which adds the points and closes off a defense.
- Answer by the date on your ticket. Ignoring it can lead to a default conviction and a suspension.
- Check the court on your ticket. Make sure you are responding to the right one, the TPVA in Hauppauge rather than a village court or the District Court.
- Have it reviewed first. A short look at the stop and the evidence shows whether it is worth contesting.
There is a separate state charge beyond the fine. Reaching 6 or more points in 18 months triggers a Driver Responsibility Assessment of $300 for the first 6 points plus $75 for each additional point, and it applies to out-of-state drivers as well.
Talk to a Suffolk Traffic Ticket Lawyer
Attorney James Medows has defended drivers in Suffolk County since 2006 and regularly appears at the Hauppauge TPVA. If you have a ticket, you can call or text 917-856-1247 for a free consultation, or start your case online. We will explain your options, the possible point exposure, and how the conference process is likely to unfold for your specific charge.