DMV IN A COVID WORLD
It’s late July 2020 and Covid-19 has been front and center for more than 4 months. During this time, much has changed. 1000’s have died. Hundreds of thousands have been infected and the economy has been ravaged.
One prior constant has always been the fully functioning DMV office. Even after 9/11 or Hurricane Sandy, the DMV still functioned. But, here in New York for almost 3 months the DMV licensing office and Traffic Court were closed. About 1 month ago the DMV licensing office reopened on a limited basis and just this week the NYC Traffic Court, The Traffic Violations Bureau (TVB) started to reopen on a “staggered” bases with the Queens North - Whitestone and Queens South - Rockaway Blvd. location reopening on July 20, 2020. The Bronx and Staten Island location is reopening on July 27,2020 and the Manhattan North, Manhattan South, Brooklyn South and Brooklyn North locations will reopen on August 3, 2020.
I was in Queens traffic court this week and personally witnessed the many changes that have taken place at TVB and am reporting them to you here, without judgement or opinion.
A. The TVB has significantly reduced the volume of cases being handled, by as much as 75% of the pre Covid-19 volume. It is unknown what criteria were sued to determine which cases would be maintained. There is literally almost no one there. I almost seems like most of the cases are represented by lawyers.
B. The DMV and TVB are only admitting persons with a “same day” hearing or a reservation to process a transaction, into the building.
C. Social distancing is “required” for anyone who is admitted to the building and masks are also requires.
D. Individuals who have a hearing need to check in upon arrival, using a que system after they either scan a QR code or text their details and they will be advised by text when to approach their hearing courtroom.
E. The hearing rooms and information counters have some screens to separate persons from close contact. When in the courtroom, there is a more distanced place to stand while presenting before the ALJ.
F. The information counters are only for the payment of same day transactions, same day refunds and cash transactions that can not be accomplished using the DMV’s online system. No walk in transactions are offered.
G. The hearing system has changed as well, with the Officers not being required to attend in person, but rather they are using a phone system to solicit the officers testimony. The officer is supposed to submit his notes and evidence in advance. If the notes are present they are offered for review,
H. The hearing process otherwise is similar to the per Covid-19 process both for the hearing as well as the reschedule process.
I. If you need to see a judge to reschedule and it can not be handled online, you must call in and will ”eventually” get to speak to a judge in a courtroom who can assist you with your reschedule request.
If this sounds foreign to you, you are in good company. Many of the long time lawyers including myself are baffled by some of the decisions made the DMV management. I assume there will be updates and modifications as time passes. I will continue to keep you informed.
July 24, 2020 Michael E Beer
Trafficticketlawyer.net
