N.Y. VAT Law § 1806

§ 1806. Plea of not guilty by a defendant charged with a traffic\ninfraction. In addition to appearing personally to enter a plea of not\nguilty to a violation of any provision of the tax law or the\ntransportation law regulating traffic, or to a traffic infraction for\nthe violation of any of the provisions of the vehicle and traffic law or\nof any local law, ordinance, order, rule or regulation relating to the\noperation of motor vehicles or motorcycles, a defendant may enter a plea\nof not guilty by mailing to the court of appropriate jurisdiction the\nticket making the charge and a signed statement indicating such plea.\nSuch plea must be sent: (a) by registered or certified mail, return\nreceipt requested or by first class mail; and (b) within forty-eight\nhours after receiving such ticket. Upon receipt of such ticket and\nstatement, the court shall advise the violator, by first class mail, of\nan appearance at which no testimony shall be taken. If the motorist\nrequests a trial, the court shall set a trial date on a date subsequent\nto the date of the initial appearance and shall notify the defendant of\nthe date by first class mail but no warrant of arrest for failure to\nappear can be issued until the violator is notified of a new court\nappearance date by registered or certified mail, return receipt\nrequested, and fails to appear.\n