Nassau County Legislator Peter J. Schmitt recently voted against the imposition of new fees on county residents. In a fractured vote, the legislature voted to approve new fees to be imposed on Nassau County drivers who have certain traffic tickets dismissed.

The new legislation imposes a $15 fee for dismissed production of proof traffic infractions. Such infractions include failure to produce a driver's license, proof of inspection, registration card, insurance card or handicapped parking permit, as well as certain equipment violations. Normally, if a person receives a ticket for such an infraction, the ticket is dismissed if he or she can provide proof of the documentation or repair. Now, if you receive a ticket for not carrying your license or for having a taillight out but you produce the license or proof of repair to the court, the ticket will be dismissed but you will still be charged a $15 dismissal fee.

The new law will also assess a $15 fee upon a person who elects to pay his or her fine in installments. "This is particularly troubling because he or she cannot pay the full amount at once. To impose an additional fee on them is beyond excessive," said Legislator Schmitt. This new fee is expected to generate $1.4 million dollars for the county.