Traffic and Motor Vehicle Offenses

New Jersey traffic offense lawyer representing drivers with motor vehicle summonses in all New Jersey municipal courts.

Traffic tickets can be serious and costly. They can add points to your driving record. A sufficient number of points can affect your insurance rates. Enough points can eventually lead to a license suspension. These matters must therefore be taken seriously. If you have received a motor vehicle summons, you need to consider hiring a traffic ticket attorney in New Jersey to represent you in court.

One of the most common traffic offenses is speeding. Generally speaking, the severity of the violation and the penalties will vary with the alleged speed of travel:

• Speeding up to 14 miles per hour above the limit can add 2 points to your record.
• Speeding between 15 and 29 miles per hour above the limit can add 4 points to your record.
• Speeding over 30 miles per hour above the limit can add 5 points to your record.

The fines for speeding are as follows:

• 1-9 miles per hour over the limit - $86.00;
• 10-14 miles per hour over the limit - $96.00;
• 15-19 miles per hour over the limit - $106.00;
• 20-24 miles per hour over the limit- $201.00;
• 25-29 miles per hour over the limit - $221.00;
• 30-34 miles per hour over the limit - $241.00; and
• 35-39 miles per hour over the limit - $261.00.
• 40 or more miles per hour over the limit — The fine cannot be paid through the Violations Bureau (These cases are VERY serious.)

The foregoing fines and penalties can vary depending upon such factors as whether or not the violation occurred in a "safe corridor" or construction zone. Another factor to bear in mind is whether or not the driver holds a commercial license. Whether the offense occurred on the New Jersey Turnpike or Garden State Parkway is another issue to consider. A New Jersey traffic offense attorney can review your case and advise you as to how you can minimize the effects on your driving record.

Speeding is obviously not the only traffic offense. New Jersey has a very long list of traffic offenses, which makes consulting with a traffic attorney in New Jersey that much more important when you receive a summons. Some of the more common violations are:

• Driving without proper documentation (Expired license, no license, no insurance card, or no registration);
• Unsafe vehicle or vehicle equipment not operating properly;
• Failure to wear a seat belt;
• Unsafe lane change;
• Failure to properly secure a small child in the vehicle;
• Failure to obey traffic signals, road signs or pavement markings, including failure to come to a "full stop" when required;
• Obstruction of windshield resulting in poor vision;
• Improper passing;
• Tailgating;
• "Right of Way" violations/failure to yield to emergency vehicles;
• Failure to signal an action when required to do so;
• Cell phone violations, including texting while driving; and
• Driving while intoxicated/driving under the influence.

Virtually every traffic offense carries a fine. Many drivers are actually more concerned about points, both because of the effect on insurance rates and the possibility of a license suspension. Here is some very basic information about license suspensions, which can be more thoroughly explained by a New Jersey traffic ticket lawyer:

• 12-15 points in a period of 2 years or less can result in a 30-day suspension;
• 16-18 points in a period of 2 years or less can result in a 60-day suspension;
• 19-21 points in a period of 2 years or less can result in a 90-day suspension;
• 22-24 points in a period of 2 years or less can result in a 120-day suspension;
• 28 or more points in a period of 2 years or less can result in a suspension of not less than 180 days;
• 15-18 points in a period greater than 2 years can result in a 30-day suspension;
• 19-22 points in a period greater than 2 years can result in a 60-day suspension;
• 23-26 points in a period greater than 2 years can result in a 90-day suspension;
• 27-30 points in a period greater than 2 years can result in a 120-day suspension;
• 31-35 points in a period greater than two years can result in a 150-day suspension;
• 36 or more points in a period greater than 2 years can result in a suspension of not less than 180 days.

Given the central role that driving plays in New Jersey life, drivers with a considerable number of points on their record need to be focused on this issue, and should retain a license suspension attorney in New Jersey to represent them when they receive a traffic summons.

New Brunswick traffic ticket lawyer James S. Friedman, Esq., represents drivers with traffic violations in all New Jersey municipal courts. If you have received a traffic summons for a motor vehicle offense, contact us to discuss the best way to minimize the fallout.