The first thing to do is to read the ticket. What's the alleged violation?
COMMON VIOLATIONS INCLUDE:

• Speeding 39:4-98
• Driving While Suspended 39:3-40
• Driving Without Liability Insurance 39:6B-2
• Careless Driving 39:4-97
• Failure to Exhibit Insurance Card 39:3-29
• Unlicensed Driver 39:3-10
  

NEW JERSEY ADMINISTRATIVE CODE
13:19-10.1 Point assessment
Any person who is convicted of any of the following offenses, including offenses committed while operating a motorized bicycle, shall be assessed points for each conviction in accordance with the following schedule:

Statute Section

NOTE: * A conviction for speeding of 1-14 miles per hour over the speed limit is a two (2) point violation. Pursuant to N.J.S.A. 17:33B-14.1 if you have an otherwise clean driving record an insurance company cannot raise your insurance rates for a 2-point speeding conviction, (unless the speeding occurred in a school zone).

N.J.A.C. 11:3-34.5 Automobile insurance eligibility points

(a) Automobile insurance eligibility points shall be accumulated as a result of convictions, suspensions, revocations and determinations of responsibility for civil infractions in accordance with the schedule set forth in the Appendix to this subchapter herein incorporated by reference.

(b) Automobile insurance eligibility points shall be deemed to accrue as follows:

1. Points for an at-fault accident shall accrue on the date that total payment by the insurer equals or exceeds $500.00.
   An insurer may, at its option, use the date of the accident or date of first payment provided, however, that the insurer shall not underwrite or rate any policy based on the accident until total payment by the insurer equals or exceeds $500.00; and further provided that the insurer shall use the optional date consistently in all cases.
2. Points for conviction of motor vehicle violations and other events that are set forth on an abstract of drivers license records available from the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission, or comparable agency of another state, shall accrue when the event is recorded in the agency's records as evidenced by an abstract.
3. Points for each full year of court-imposed driver's license suspension within the preceding three years and points for each full year within the immediately preceding three years that a person has not held a driver's license shall accrue on the date of application for insurance.
   

(c) Automobile insurance eligibility points are cumulative and accrue for all offenses set forth on Schedules 1 and 2, except as noted on Schedule 1.

(d) Automobile insurance eligibility points set forth on Schedule 2 of the Appendix represent motor vehicle points established by the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission by rule, N.J.A.C. 13:19-10.1, which is hereby incorporated by reference. Any additions, deletions or modifications to N.J.A.C. 13:19-10.1 shall likewise be incorporated as of the effective date of amendment. Schedule 2 is included in the Appendix for convenience.

(e) The reference in Appendix Schedule 1 and Schedule 2 to provisions of the New Jersey Statutes Annotated is meant for convenience to assist in the quick identification of the nature of the event. If the event takes place in a state or province other than New Jersey, Schedule 1 and 2 should be consulted for identification of the specific misconduct committed and the assessment of the appropriate number of insurance eligibility points to be assessed.

(f) In addition to the motor vehicle violation and insurance eligibility points specifically enumerated on Schedule 2 of the Appendix pertaining to the New Jersey Turnpike, Atlantic City Expressway, and the Garden State Parkway, for any other motor vehicle violations that occur on the New Jersey Turnpike (N.J.A.C.19:9), the Atlantic City Expressway (N.J.A.C. 19:2-2.1), the Garden State Parkway (N.J.A.C. 19:8) or for any other moving violation at any location, Schedules 1 and 2 shall be consulted for identification of the specific misconduct committed and the determination of the appropriate number of insurance eligibility points to be assessed.

[fn*] Points for failure to hold a driver's license in the previous three years are not cumulative to points for driver's license suspension.

Point surcharges:
$100 for six points, and
$25 for each additional point

Some Additional surcharges:
$100 for driving while unlicensed (39:3-10)
$250 for driving on the Revoked List (39:3-40)
$250 for operating an uninsured vehicle (39:6B-2)

You should know your motor vehicle point status. If you don’t, you can find it out by contacting NJMVC and requesting a driver’s abstract (ask for a certified, driver‘s abstract) . This abstract contains your full driving history, and will even list driving events in other states.

Driving without Liability Insurance: 39:6B-2
"A violator shall be subject, for the first offense, to a fine of not less than $300 nor more than $1000..."

Reckless Driving: 39: 4-96
Fines range from $50.00 to $200.00, however they may be doubled in certain circumstances.
Punishment may be by imprisonment in the county or municipal jail for a period of not more than 60 days.

Careless Driving: 39:4-97
Fines range from $50.00 to $200.00, however they may be doubled in certain circumstances.

Speeding: 39:4-98
Fines range from $50.00 to $200.00, however they may be doubled in certain circumstances.
A sentencing judge may impose a sentence of up to 15 days in jail.

Driving While Suspended: 39: 3-40
A fine of $500, additional six (6) months license suspension.

Leaving the Scene of an Accident - Injury or Death: 39:4-129
$500 to $1000 and/or jail term of 180 days and one year license loss.

Leaving the Scene of an Accident - Property Damage: 39:4-129
$200 to $400 fine and/or 30 days jail term and up to six (6) months license loss.

If you plead not guilty, you have an opportunity to go to court and have a trial, at which the state, represented by the municipal prosecutor, will have to prove your guilt to the judge beyond a reasonable doubt. You can also plead not guilty and, see if you or your lawyer can plea bargain with the municipal prosecutor for a factually similar, but legally different result. The municipal court judge, prosecutor and police officer all have access to your driving abstract, and this is a major factor in the state’s decision on the terms of a plea bargain.

Should I hire a lawyer?
Before you make a decision on hiring a lawyer or representing yourself review your answers to questions # 1 - # 9.

You have to understand the whole picture of what you’re looking at if you’re convicted of the charges against you in court.

After you have reviewed your answers, give me a call at 800-274-6180, and we can go through the ten steps together.

Disclaimer:
The information provided on this website is for general informational purposes, and is not intended to be, nor should it be, construed as legal advice.

The information is provided to appraise the public of general information on the law. It is understood that no attorney-client relationship is entered into by sending, receiving or answering e-mail queries. It is also understood that generally a retainer agreement must be read, understood and signed by an attorney and any prospective client before an attorney-client relationship is commenced.

Contact Information
Phone: 1. 800. 274. 6180
E-mail: brian@itonlaw.com