When you get pulled over in New Jersey, it is important to make sure you know what is at stake in your case. While you might assume that you should simply pay the fine and move on, this option can prove more costly than you realize—because a fine isn’t the only consequence of a conviction. To ensure that you are making informed decisions, you will want to discuss your case with an experienced New Jersey traffic violation lawyer as soon as possible.
To be clear, when you “simply pay the fine,” what you are actually doing is pleading guilty to violating New Jersey law. Paying your fine amounts to a guilty plea—and this means that you will face all of the consequences that come with a traffic violation conviction. These consequences are different for different violations, so it is important to ensure that you have a clear understanding of what is at stake in your particular set of circumstances.
Common New Jersey Traffic Violations and Penalties
There are numerous traffic violations under New Jersey law. As a result, when you get pulled over, one of the first things you need to do is determine exactly what charge (or charges) you are facing. This will allow you to determine what penalties are on the table, and then you can use this insight to make informed decisions about your next steps. Some of the most common traffic violations and penalties in New Jersey include:
- Careless Driving – A fine of approximately $50 to $200 and two points on your driver’s license.
- Failure to Keep Right – A fine of approximately $50 to $200 and two points on your driver’s license.
- Failure to Obey or Follow the Direction of a Police Officer – A fine of approximately $50 to $200 and two points on your driver’s license.
- Failure to Observe Traffic Lanes or Signals – A fine of approximately $50 to $200 and two points on your driver’s license.
- Improper Passing – A fine of approximately $50 to $200 and four points on your driver’s license.
- Reckless Driving – 5 points
- Speeding (1-14 MPH Over the Limit) – A fine of approximately $85 to $95 and two points on your driver’s license.
- Speeding (15-29 MPH Over the Limit) – A fine of approximately $105 to $220 and four points on your driver’s license.
- Speeding (30 MPH or More Over the Limit) – A fine of approximately $240 to $270 and five points on your driver’s license.
- Tailgating – A fine of approximately $50 to $200 and five points on your driver’s license.
Under New Jersey’s point system, if you accumulate six or more points within three years, you will be required to pay an annual surcharge in addition to your fine (and the other costs discussed below). This annual surcharge starts at $150 and increases by $25 for each point on your driver’s license above six. However, some violations carry an automatic surcharge regardless of how many points you have on your driver’s license, and these surcharges can be much higher (i.e., driving under the influence (DUI) carries a $1,000 annual surcharge for three years). Additionally, if you accumulate 12 or more points on your driver’s license over any period of time, your driver’s license will be suspended.
Along with fines and surcharges, traffic violations in New Jersey can lead to other costs as well. These include:
- Court costs and fees;
- Fees to reinstate your driver’s license after a suspension; and,
- Increased insurance premiums.
For many drivers, the increase in their insurance premiums will be the most significant cost associated with their traffic ticket. Even tickets for relatively minor offenses—like careless driving or speeding 1 to 14 mph over the limit—can cause your insurance rates to go up by hundreds of dollars per year. As a result, while it might initially look like you are just paying a small fine, the total cost of pleading guilty to your alleged traffic violation could be much greater.
Another Common Offense in New Jersey Traffic Ticket Cases: Failure to Appear
Another common offense in New Jersey traffic ticket cases is failure to appear. In some cases, you don’t have the option of simply paying your fine. If the box next to “Court Appearance Required” on your traffic ticket is checked, this means that you are legally required to show up in court.
If you fail to show up in court, the judge can decide to either:
- Immediately suspend your driver’s license;
- Issue a notice of your failure to appear with instructions for correcting the failure; or,
- Issue a warrant for your arrest.
Regardless of what the judge decides to do, you will still ultimately have to face your traffic ticket in court. As a result, there are no benefits to ignoring your court date if your appearance is required. When you go to court, you have the right to have your New Jersey traffic violation lawyer represent you, and your lawyer will be able to communicate with the judge on your behalf.
Avoiding Unnecessary Penalties for a New Jersey Traffic Ticket
While New Jersey traffic tickets can lead to steep penalties, it is possible to avoid unnecessary penalties with the right approach to your case. Taking the right approach starts with putting an experienced New Jersey traffic violation lawyer on your side. Depending on the circumstances of your case, your lawyer may be able to negotiate a plea deal that reduces your charge (and your penalties), or your lawyer may be able to get your traffic ticket dismissed entirely.
Schedule a Consultation with a New Jersey Traffic Violation Lawyer Today
If you are dealing with a traffic ticket in New Jersey and want to make sure you are making informed decisions with your long-term best interests in mind, we invite you to get in touch. To schedule a confidential consultation with a New Jersey traffic violation lawyer at Helmer, Conley & Kasselman, P.A., please call 877-435-6371 or tell us how we can reach you online today.
