New York Consolidated Laws, Penal Law - PEN § 145.70 Criminal possession of a taximeter accelerating device

1. For purposes of this section, a “taximeter” means an instrument or device that automatically calculates and displays the charge to a passenger in a vehicle that is licensed to transport members of the public for hire pursuant to local law.

2. For purposes of this section, a “taximeter accelerating device” means an instrument or device that causes a taximeter to increase the charge displayed by such taximeter to an amount greater than the maximum amount permitted by local law.

3. A person is guilty of criminal possession of a taximeter accelerating device when he knowingly possesses, with intent to use unlawfully, a taximeter accelerating device.  If such a device is knowingly possessed there is a rebuttable presumption that it is intended to be used unlawfully.

Criminal possession of a taximeter accelerating device is a class A misdemeanor.