Common Traffic Tickets

A lot of people think that it is a good idea to represent themselves in municipal court because, "it's just a traffic ticket." Well, you wouldn't perform surgery on yourself or give yourself a haircut, either. This is the same thing.

Speeding - N.J.S.A 39:4-98

1-14 mph over limit - 2 points
15-29 mph over limit - 4 points
30 mph or more over limit - 5 points.
- In general, if you are charged with going 30 miles an hour over a speed limit, there is a chance that the judge will suspend your license, or in extreme cases, sentence you to jail time. This depends on the judge and the circumstances, but it is a real concern.

A fine of $50-200. This fine can be doubled if it is in a "safe corridor", 65 mph speed zone, or construction zone.
Up to 15 days in jail

Speeding is a strict liability offense, so not knowing that you were speeding is no defense.

However, if the speed is not posted on the road, or has not been cleared through the proper government channels, it can help.

Careless Driving - N.J.S.A. 39:4-97

2 points
A fine of $50-200. This fine can be doubled if it is in a "safe corridor", 65 mph speed zone, or construction zone
Up to 15 days in jail

Reckless Driving - N.J.S.A. 39:4-96

5 points
A fine of $50-200 for a first offense, and $100-500 for an additional offense. These fines can be doubled if it is in a "safe corridor", 65 mph speed zone, or construction zone.
Up to 60 days in jail for a first offense, and up to 90 days in jail for an additional offense.

Unsafe Lane Change/Failure to Maintain Lane - N.J.S.A. 39:4-88

2 points
A fine of $50-200. This fine can be doubled if it is in a "safe corridor", 65 mph speed zone, or construction zone
Up to 15 days in jail

Driving Without Insurance - N.J.S.A. 39:6B-2

First offense:
- A fine of $300-100
- Loss of license for one year
- Up to 30 days of community service
Second and subsequent offenses:
- A fine of up to $5000
- Loss of driving privileges for two years
- 30 days of community service
- 14 days in jail

Note that this can only be issued for a vehicle that is registered or "primarily garaged" in NJ.

Leaving the Scene of an Accident and Failure to Report an Accident

These are commonly charged together because you will get in accident, then leave then scene and fail to report it to the police. But the penalties are very different.

Failure to Report:

A fine of $30-100

Leaving the Scene:

Accidents involving injury or death
- First offense
  - A fine of $2500-5000
  - One year loss of driver's license
- Second or subsequent offense
  - Lifetime loss of driver's license
Accidents involving property damage
- First offense
  - A fine of $200-400
  - Up to 30 days in jail
  - Loss of driver's license for up to 6 months
- Second or subsequent offense
  - A fine of $400-600
  - Up to 60 days in jail
  - Loss of driver's license for up to one year

Tailgating/Following Too Closely - N.J.S.A. 39:4-89

Five points
A fine of $50-200 (doubled if in a construction zone or 65 mph speed zone)
Up to 15 days in jail

Driving with a Suspended Driver’s License

The penalties for driving while suspended depend on why you your license was suspended to begin with. There are many different types of reasons as to why your license could be suspended. These include:

Suspension by a municipal court judge for traffic offenses
Administrative suspension by the NJ Motor Vehicle Commission
Failing to appear in court or comply with a payment obligation
Conviction of a drug offense
Driving without car insurance
Failing to pay a MVC surcharge
Driving While Intoxicated
Failure to restore a suspended license
Failure to pay a parking ticket
Accumulation of 12 to 14 points within a two-year period
Failure to install ignition interlock device
Misrepresentation on a driver’s license application
Refusing to take a chemical breath test
Driving without insurance
Failing to pay an accident victim after a lawsuit
Not appearing in court on a scheduled date
Abandoning a vehicle
Leaving the scene of an accident
Failure to pay child support
Loaning your license or car to a suspended driver

WHEN YOUR LICENSE WAS SUSPENDED FOR MOST REASONS:

1st Offense

$500 fine
Loss of driver's license for up to 6 months

2nd Offense

$750 fine
Loss of driver's license for up to 6 months
Up to 5 days in jail
If 2nd offense occurs within 5 years of a conviction for N.J.S.A. 39:3-40, then revocation of registration certificate for the period driver’s license is suspended (see N.J.S.A. 39:3-40.1)

3rd or Subsequent Offense

$1000 fine
Loss of driver's license for up to 6 months
10 days in jail
If 3rd offense occurs within 5 years of a conviction of N.J.S.A. 39:3-40, then revocation of registration certificate for the period driver’s license is suspended (see N.J.S.A. 39:3-40.1)

WHERE YOUR LICENSE WAS SUSPENDED FOR LACK OF INSURANCE