I work in the Bronx courts

[AndreaCG]

25. There are two types of charges

Fines and mandatory surcharges. The mandatory surcharge for a misdemeanor is 200. For a violation it's 120. This can be waived for indigence and go as a judgment against your credit till you pay. Fines are generally 100 or less from what I see. Depending on the charge and the details of the case. These are not waived for indigence but people are given numerous chances to pay, even if they've missed a court date and warranted. The judges are aware that most defendants are poor.

Most of the cigarette cases I see are not people selling "loosies" like Garner but stores selling untaxed ones from other states. Yes the cops check the stores. They also go around to stores for knock off merchandise, which doesn't particularly bother me, but also to try to sell "stolen" merchandise which kind of does. And they also send auxiliary police who are underage to buy liquor illegally. They may try this with cigarettes too now that the sale age is 21.