New Jersey Traffic Tickets: Mandatory Court Appearance

Getting a traffic ticket results in more than just monetary fines, points on your driving record and hikes in your insurance premium – it can also be a great inconvenience. Every New Jersey traffic ticket contains a box on its left-hand side with big red letters of “Court Appearance Required” written next to it. If the issuing officer checked the box, you are mandated by law to appear in court to respond to your ticket. A court appearance is not a quick thing, but can rather a take an entire day.

When Traffic Tickets Result in a New Jersey Court Appearance

New Jersey, like other states, has different laws to keep the roads and motorists traveling on them safe. When motorists break the law, they are issued a traffic ticket. Some traffic ticket situations are more serious than others and result in mandatory court appearances. 

The following situations legally mandate you to appear in court:

• Excessive speeding. If you are charged with speeding more than 40 miles per hour above the speed limit, you are required to go to court.
• Construction zone speeding. If are driving 20 miles per hour or more above the speed limit in a designated construction zone or safe corridor, your court appearance is mandatory.
• Drunk driving related offenses. If you were arrested for suspected driving under the influence of a controlled substance, you will need to appear in court.
• Improperly passing a school bus. If you improperly pass a school bus, you will need to appear in court.
• Illegally parking in a handicapped space. If you illegally park in a handicapped designated space without a legal placard, your court hearing is mandatory.

In other situations that involve speeding, you may have the option to either pay your traffic ticket or to contest it by appearing at the traffic hearing. If you opt to pay your ticket and not appear in court, you are in essence pleading guilty to the infraction offense. However, if you want to fight your ticket, you can appear at court and plead not guilty. This court date is generally printed on your traffic ticket.

Traffic Court Hearings

The law enforcement agent who issued your traffic ticket is required to be present at the court traffic hearing. If the officer fails to appear in court, the judge may contact the officer for an explanation. If the officer had a legitimate reason for failing to appear at the hearing, the judge can continue your hearing for a later date. However, if the officer does not show up and has no valid reason, then your case may be dismissed.

Call a New Jersey Ticket Attorney

If you or someone you know has been issued any type of traffic violation in New Jersey, including careless and reckless driving, an experienced attorney can help. Call Beninato & Matrafajlo Attorneys at Law, LLC at 908-355-7100 to schedule a free, complimentary consultation with our legal team today.

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