It is inevitable that you will at some point in your driving career get a traffic ticket. While you will likely get a ticket at some point, you should do everything in your power to fight the ticket. A New Jersey traffic ticket can have serious consequences. An experienced NY traffic ticket attorney can help get the ticket dismissed or reduced.
Overview of NJ Traffic Ticket Fines
The cost of a New Jersey traffic ticket differs depending on the type of violation. Some ticket fines can be as low as $50, while others can run in the thousands. Below is a chart of some of the most common traffic ticket violations and their associated fines.
| Violation | Fine |
| Unsafe lane change | $50 – $200 |
| Racing on highway | $25 – $200 |
| Improper passing | $50 – $200 |
| Failure to observe traffic signal | $50 – $200 |
| Careless driving | $50 – $200 |
| Tailgating | $50 – $200 |
| Reckless driving | $50 – $500 |
| Speeding | $85 – $260 |
| Improper passing of a school bus | $100 to $250 |
| Driving on a suspended license | $500 |
| Drunk driving/driving while intoxicated | Up to $1,000 |
| Leaving the scene of an accident | Up to $15,000 |
In addition to the cost or fine associated with a traffic ticket, you can also face other consequences such as:
- Car insurance premium hikes
- Points on your driving record
- Surcharges (an additional fee on top of the fine)
- Suspension of your driver’s license
- Revocation of your driver’s license
New Jersey is one of the few states that never removes a traffic ticket from a motorist’s record. This means, unlike other states such as New York that remove traffic tickets from driver’s records after a set amount of time, a ticket on your record could potentially raise your car insurance rates for life.
Mandatory Appearance for New Jersey Traffic Tickets
In some cases, you may be required to appear in court for a traffic ticket. If the box in the left-hand side of your traffic ticket marked “Court Appearance Required” is checked, you must appear in court on the specific date noted at the location provided. This means that you cannot simply pay the ticket online or via mail. You must actually show up in person in court.
If you are mandated to appear in court, it is in your best interest to hire an attorney to accompany you to the court date. An experienced New Jersey traffic ticket attorney may not be able to appear in lieu of you on the court date, but he/she can make strong arguments and present facts to increase the likelihood of a dismissal or reduction of the charges.
Call a New Jersey Traffic Ticket Attorney Today
If you or someone you know was cited with a traffic violation, an experienced attorney can help fight the ticket and avoid the negative consequences. Call Beninato & Matrafajlo Attorneys at Law, LLC at 908-355-7100 to schedule a free, complimentary consultation with our legal team today.
