New Jersey Traffic Defense Attorney

At Putterman Legal, our New Jersey traffic ticket lawyer is a knowledgeable, experienced advocate for drivers. If you are dealing with any type of traffic offense, we are here to help you determine the best path forward. Do not put yourself at risk of losing your license (or even worse consequences). Contact our traffic ticket lawyer today for a fully confidential initial consultation.

An Overview of Traffic Violations We Handle in New Jersey

Putterman Legal is a defense firm that puts clients first. We handle all types of traffic violations, including both criminal and non-criminal issues. Our firm invests the time, resources, and attention to detail to handle each and every case the right way. Along with other traffic offenses in New Jersey, our firm has experience with:

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

Speeding is one of the most frequently cited traffic violations in New Jersey. The penalties will depend largely on how far over the posted speed limit the driver was traveling. Fines, points, and insurance increases rise with higher speed. At extreme speeds, a driver could face a reckless driving offense.

Speeding tickets are common, but they should not be taken lightly. Even a single traffic ticket for speeding can add points to your driving record and cause your insurance rates to increase significantly. If you exceed the maximum speed by 30 mph or more, you face five points and substantial fines.

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

Reckless driving involves operating a vehicle with willful or wanton disregard for the safety of others. It is more serious than careless driving and carries heavier fines, points, and possible jail time. A conviction could lead to a steep insurance surcharge and even a license suspension for repeat offenders.

Reckless driving is one of the more serious offenses on New Jersey roads. Unlike a simple traffic infraction, reckless driving can result in a criminal record that affects your future employment and personal life.

Driving While Suspended (N.J.S.A. 39:3-40)

Driving with a suspended license or revoked license is a serious offense in New Jersey. The penalties include mandatory fines, extended suspension periods, and potential jail terms for repeat violations. Under state law, courts also impose surcharges through the Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC).

Operating as an unlicensed driver or with an expired license puts you at risk of even greater penalties. The consequences increase dramatically for repeat violations, with potential jail time and thousands of dollars in fines and surcharges.

Failure to Stop at a Red Light or Stop Sign (N.J.S.A. 39:4-81)

Ignoring traffic signals is a common violation with real safety risks. A conviction brings fines, points on your license, and higher insurance premiums. Whether you failed to stop at a traffic light or ignored a stop sign, these violations add two points to your record and can lead to increased insurance rates.

Violations involving traffic lights and other traffic signals are often based on officer’s observations, which can be challenged in court. Our traffic ticket lawyers know how to question the accuracy of these observations and protect your driving record.

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

All motorists must have the proper liability coverage. Indeed, operating a vehicle without valid liability insurance is heavily penalized in New Jersey. A first-time offense brings fines, community service, surcharges, and mandatory license suspension. A second offense can carry jail time.

Understanding Your Driving Record and Points

New Jersey tracks traffic violations through a point system managed by the Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC). Each moving violation adds a set number of points to a driver’s record, usually between two and five points. Drivers who accumulate twelve or more points face a license suspension. If you are at risk of a suspension based on points, it is important to consult with a New Jersey traffic ticket lawyer.

How Points Affect Your License

When you receive a traffic ticket, points are added to your driving record based on the severity of the offense. Too many points can result in driver’s license suspension, increased insurance premiums, and other penalties. Once you reach six or more points, you may be required to pay a surcharge to the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission.

Many drivers do not realize how quickly points can add up. A few speeding tickets or other moving violations within a short time period can put your driving privileges at risk. Our law firm helps drivers understand their point totals and take action to protect their licenses.

Options for Reducing Points

If you have accumulated points on your driving record, you may be eligible to reduce them through an MVC-approved defensive driving course. Completing a driver improvement program can remove up to two points from your record. However, this option is only available once every five years, so it is important to use it wisely.

Our traffic ticket lawyer can advise you on whether taking a defensive driving course makes sense for your situation. In some cases, fighting the traffic ticket in municipal court may be a better option than simply accepting points on your record.

Traffic Offenses in Municipal Court

Most traffic tickets in New Jersey are handled in municipal courts. These courts process thousands of traffic cases each year, from minor traffic infractions to serious offenses like driving while suspended. Understanding how municipal court works is important if you want to protect your rights and your driver’s license.

What to Expect at Your Court Date

When you receive a traffic citation, you will be given a court date to appear before a judge. At this hearing, you will have the opportunity to plead guilty or not guilty to the charges. If you plead guilty, the judge will impose penalties immediately, including fines, court costs, points, and potential license suspension.

Pleading guilty to a traffic ticket without first consulting with a traffic ticket lawyer can be a mistake. You may have defenses available that could result in the charges being reduced or dismissed. Our skilled traffic ticket attorneys review every aspect of your case to determine the best approach.

Fighting Your Traffic Ticket in Court

If you choose to contest your traffic ticket, you will need to prepare for a hearing where the law enforcement officer who issued the citation will testify. The officer will describe the circumstances of the traffic stop and explain why they issued the ticket. You will have the opportunity to cross-examine the officer and present your own evidence and witnesses.

Our New Jersey traffic ticket lawyers have extensive experience representing clients in traffic court. We know how to challenge officers’ observations, question the accuracy of radar and laser equipment, and present evidence that supports your case. In many situations, we can negotiate with prosecutors to reduce charges or reach a favorable resolution. 

Common Traffic Violations in New Jersey and Their Penalties

New Jersey has strict state traffic laws that govern how drivers operate their vehicles. Violating these laws can result in fines, points, insurance premium increases, and license suspension. Understanding the penalties for different traffic offenses helps you make informed decisions about how to handle your case.

Speeding Tickets and Speed Limits

The penalties for a speeding ticket depend on how much you exceeded the speed limit. Driving 1-14 mph over the limit results in a $85 fine and two points. Driving 15-29 mph over brings a higher fine and four points. Driving 30 mph or more over the maximum speed carries the steepest penalties: five points and fines that can reach hundreds of dollars.

For NJ drivers, speeding tickets are often the first traffic violation they receive. While it may seem minor, even one traffic ticket can have lasting consequences on your insurance rates and driving record.

Careless Driving vs. Reckless Driving

Careless driving and reckless driving are two different offenses with very different penalties. Careless driving involves operating a vehicle without due caution but without willful disregard for safety. It carries two points and fines up to $100 for a first offense.

Reckless driving, on the other hand, is a much more serious charge. It involves willful or wanton disregard for the safety of others and carries five points, fines up to $200 for a first offense, and potential jail time of up to 60 days. Repeat offenses bring even harsher penalties.

Leaving the Scene of an Accident

Leaving the scene of an accident is one of the most serious offenses under New Jersey law. If you are involved in an accident, you are required to stop, exchange information, and render aid if anyone is injured. Failing to do so can result in criminal charges, license suspension, heavy fines, and potential imprisonment.

The penalties for leaving the scene of an accident increase based on the circumstances. If the accident caused injury or death, you could face years in prison. Even in cases involving only property damage, leaving the scene of an accident can result in driver’s license suspension and a criminal record.

Improper Passing and Unsafe Lane Changes

Improper passing violations occur when drivers pass other vehicles in unsafe conditions, such as on curves, hills, or in no-passing zones. These violations carry four points and can result in fines and increased insurance premiums. Passing a school bus that has stopped with its red lights flashing is an especially serious violation that carries five points and heavy fines.

Special Considerations for Out-of-State Drivers

If you are an out-of-state driver who received a traffic ticket in New Jersey, you may wonder how this affects your license in your home state. Most states participate in interstate compacts that share information about traffic violations. This means a traffic ticket you receive in New Jersey can result in points being added to your license in your home state.

Out-of-state drivers should not simply pay a New Jersey traffic ticket without understanding the consequences. Depending on your home state’s laws, a conviction could result in points, license suspension, or other penalties back home. Our traffic ticket lawyers can help you understand how a New Jersey conviction will affect your out-of-state license and work to minimize the impact.

The Cost of Traffic Tickets: Beyond Fines

When you receive a traffic ticket, the fine listed on the citation is only part of the total cost. There are many other expenses that can add up quickly, making even a simple traffic infraction very expensive.

Insurance Premiums and Surcharges

One traffic ticket can cause your auto insurance rates to increase by hundreds or even thousands of dollars per year. Insurance companies view traffic violations as signs of risky driving behavior, and they adjust your premiums accordingly. These higher insurance premiums can last for three to five years, resulting in auto insurance increases totaling tens of thousands of dollars over time.

In addition to increased insurance premiums, drivers with six or more points on their record must pay annual surcharges to the Motor Vehicle Commission. These surcharges start at $150 per year for six points and increase by $25 for each additional point. The surcharges continue for three years, adding significant cost to your traffic violations.

Court Costs and Administrative Fees

Beyond the fine itself, you will also be responsible for court costs and administrative fees when you are convicted of a traffic violation. These costs vary by municipal court but typically range from $30 to $50 or more per offense. If you receive multiple traffic tickets at the same time, these fees multiply quickly.

How Our Traffic Ticket Lawyer Can Help You

Facing traffic tickets in New Jersey can be stressful and confusing. You may be unsure whether to plead guilty, fight the charges, or seek legal representation. Our law firm is here to help you understand your options and make the best decision for your situation.

Case Evaluation and Strategy

When you contact our office, we begin with a thorough evaluation of your case. We review the traffic citation, examine the circumstances of the traffic stop, and assess the strength of the evidence against you. Based on this analysis, we develop a strategy tailored to your specific situation and goals.

In some cases, the best approach is to negotiate with prosecutors to reduce the charges or minimize the penalties. In other cases, we may recommend fighting the traffic ticket in court. Our skilled traffic ticket attorneys have the experience to know which strategy will work best for your case.

Protecting Your Driving Privileges

For many people, their driver’s license is necessary for work, family responsibilities, and daily life. Losing your driving privileges due to license suspension can create serious hardships. Our traffic ticket lawyers work hard to protect your license and keep you on the road.

If you are facing driver’s license suspension due to too many points or a serious violation like driving while suspended, we can help you explore options to avoid or minimize the suspension. This may include negotiating for alternative penalties, seeking a conditional or restricted license, or fighting the charges in court.

Representation in Traffic Court

Appearing in traffic court can be intimidating, especially if you are unfamiliar with the legal process. Our New Jersey traffic ticket lawyers provide experienced representation at your court appearance. We handle all aspects of your case, from filing necessary paperwork to cross-examining witnesses and presenting arguments to the judge.

Having a lawyer at your court date shows the judge that you are taking the charges seriously. It also ensures that your rights are protected throughout the process. Our traffic ticket lawyer knows how New Jersey Municipal courts operate and how to achieve the best possible results for our clients.

Bonnie Putterman is a Top New Jersey Traffic Defense Lawyer

A traffic charge can be a serious matter in New Jersey. It could lead to the suspension or revocation of your driver’s license. Further, some serious traffic violations can carry incarceration. Bonnie Putterman is a traffic defense attorney who puts drivers’ rights first. We have a proven record of client testimonials. Along with other things, our New Jersey traffic defense lawyer will: 

• Listen to what you have to say and answer questions about the process; 
• Investigate your traffic charges, helping to gather relevant evidence; and
• Develop a comprehensive strategy focused on protecting your rights. 

Traffic Charges in New Jersey: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Contact Our New Jersey Traffic Defense Lawyer Today

At Putterman Legal, our New Jersey traffic defense attorney is a strong, aggressive, and experienced advocate for justice. If you are facing any type of traffic issue, our team is here as a legal resource that you can depend on. Contact us now for a completely confidential, no obligation consultation at (609) 625-8383. We handle traffic charges throughout New Jersey.