CBS2 Exclusive: 'No Shorts' Policy At Nassau County Traffic Court Rankles Some Drivers
HEMPSTEAD, N.Y. (CBSNewYork) -- On hot summer days, many Long Islanders are called to traffic court to settle fines or negotiate dismissed tickets – but they are advised not to dress for the weather.
As CBS2's Jennifer McLogan reported exclusively Wednesday, no one may wear shorts to court at the Nassau County Parking and Traffic Violations Agency.
"You cannot see the judge with shorts on," one man said outside the courthouse. "I am from Amityville, New York, and they want me to go home and get a pair of pants."
Viewers alerted CBS2 about the policy. The traffic court where drivers come to fight fines and seek reduced ticket fees is housed in a former warehouse on Cooper Street in Hempstead – but men and women still must dress with decorum.
"I just said to them, 'If they want you to wear pants when you go to court or something, well, they should put that on the ticket,'" said James Hawkins of Baldwin. "It's not on the ticket."
Indeed, there was no mention of the dress code on Hawkins' ticket. Now, he has to take another day off from work to return, because traffic court was about to close when he arrived and he had no time to change clothes.
"They should probably list it, though, on your ticket," said Baldwin driver Beth Silverman, who arrived to court with a tank top and Capri shorts.
"You can't wear shorts or apparel to cool off; they won't even let you have water in there," added Terrence O'Brien of Garden City. "It's very hot today."
The traffic agency clearly posts etiquette requirements on both the agency door and its website. But the drivers said warnings should also be printed on each ticket.
Some drivers told McLogan they decided just to step away and go buy pairs of pants.
"I turned around and purchased a pair of pants… from VIM," said Nassau County truck driver Cecil Thomas.
"I went around the corner and bought a pair of pants," said Massapequa Park driver Douglas Dervin. "Fifty bucks for a pair of pants, $80 for the ticket, and I had to waste all this time."
Dervin had to pay $52 for his new pants for court, according to his receipt.
He, Thomas and others ran three blocks to the Hempstead business district, where clothiers seemed happy with the court's no shorts policy.
"It's actually good for business," said VIM manager Donna Persaud. "They're buying the pants."
Attorneys told CBS2 they support the dress code too.
"Most of these people that work here are ex-judges in the criminal courts or in the Supreme Court, and they have spent many years, and their requirements are that you dress appropriately," said Glen Cove attorney John Maccarone. "You can't go to court with shorts – it's not appropriate -- or tank tops. The next thing you know, we'll be having people with bathing suits."
Nassau County Traffic Court called its policy fair and just. But citizens say they just want it printed on the tickets.
The policy also forbids tank tops, flip-flops, food, beverages or phones.