Can you be penalized for pleading not guilty if you&#39;re found guilty?
<p>If you plead not guilty on a traffic ticket in New York City. If at the court hearing you are found guilty, is it possible for them to penalize you or charge you interest for the time elapsed since the incident?</p>

<p>I am referring to penalties/interest in addition to the fine written on the ticket.</p>

<p>Well, yes. It's called a fine and it will be written on the ticket; that is the penalty for the offence.</p>

<p>Right now you are presumed innocent; you can refute that presumption by paying the fine or you can maintain it and have your day in court. If you defend it and fail then you are guilty <strong>and always were!</strong></p>

<p>There will be no additional penalties but there may be additional costs. Interest if you pay late, court fees and fees to a lawyer if you hire one.</p>

<p>Just beware that you do not commit the crime of perjury in your defence; you are allowed to be wrong about your innocence, you are not allowed to attempt to pervert the course of justice. <a href="https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marcus_Einfeld" rel="nofollow">Marcus Einfeld</a> serves as a salutary lesson.</p>

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