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You got a traffic ticket. It happens. But what happens next? Should you hire a New Jersey traffic court lawyer to fight your traffic ticket, or should you pay the fine and move on?
If you are facing a traffic ticket in New Jersey, fighting your ticket is worth it. Not only can tickets be expensive (you can end up paying much more than just the fine), but they can also put you at risk of losing your driver’s license.
Fines for Traffic Tickets in New Jersey
We’ll talk about the fines first. All traffic tickets carry fines under New Jersey law. These fines range from $54 or $55 dollars for violations like driving an unregistered vehicle and driving with an expired license to thousands of dollars for violations like driving on a suspended license (as a repeat offender) and driving under the influence (DUI).
While paying $54 or $55 might seem worth it to avoid the hassle of going to court, it is important to keep in mind that this might not be the only cost you incur—we’ll discuss this in greater detail below. If you are facing hundreds or thousands of dollars in fines, then hiring a New Jersey traffic court lawyer to represent you will most likely be your least expensive option.
Surcharges for Traffic Tickets in New Jersey
Along with fines, New Jersey also imposes surcharges in certain circumstances. As the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC) makes clear, “[t]hese surcharges are in addition to any court[1]imposed fines and penalties or any premiums that may be assessed by insurance companies.”
You can face surcharges if either (i) you accumulate six or more points on your driver’s license or (ii) you get convicted of certain traffic offenses. The offenses that carry immediate surcharges include:
- Driving under the influence (DUI) – $1,000 per year for three years for a first or second offense
- Refusing a breath test – $1,000 per year for three years for a first or second offense
- Driving without a license – $100 per year for three years
- Driving on a suspended license – $250 per year for three years
- Driving without insurance – $250 per year for three years
If you accumulate six points on your driver’s license, you will have to pay an annual surcharge of $150 for three years. If you accumulate more than six points, you will have to pay an additional $25 annually for each additional point.
Points for Traffic Tickets in New Jersey
In addition to triggering surcharges, accumulating points on your driver’s license can also result in the suspension of your driving privileges. Under New Jersey law, your driver’s license will be suspended if you accumulate 12 points over any length of time.
With the exception of red light camera violations, all traffic violations carry at least two points—and some carry up to eight. Then, there are charges like DUI that can result in an immediate driver’s license suspension. Here are some of the most common examples:
- Careless Driving – 2 points
- Failure to Keep Right – 2 points
- Failure to Obey or Follow the Direction of a Police Officer – 2 points
- Failure to Observe Traffic Lanes or Signals – 2 points
- Improper Passing – 4 points
- Reckless Driving – 5 points
- Speeding (1-14 MPH Over the Limit) – 2 points
- Speeding (15-29 MPH Over the Limit) – 4 points
- Speeding (30 MPH or More Over the Limit) – 5 points
- Tailgating – 5 points
While getting two points might not seem like a big deal, once you have two points on your record, you are only four away from facing three years of surcharges. If you get pulled over again and receive multiple citations (i.e., tickets for speeding and running a red light) or get cited for a four-point offense, your second traffic stop will suddenly get much more expensive. Don’t forget that if you lose your license, you’ll need to find another way to get where you need to go—and this will most likely mean incurring additional costs as well.
Insurance Rate Increases for Traffic Tickets in New Jersey
Finally, in addition to these state-imposed penalties, pleading guilty to a traffic ticket (which is what happens when you pay the fine) will also result in an increase in your auto insurance premiums. According to Insurance.com, this increase can be as high as 79 percent in some cases. Even a more modest increase can cost you hundreds of dollars per year—on top of your fines and any surcharges you may need to pay to the New Jersey MVC.
As of 2023, Insurance.com reports the following average insurance premium increases for traffic violations:
- Careless Driving – 26 percent ($372 per year)
- Driving Without a License – 12 percent ($178 per year)
- Driving Without Insurance – 10 percent ($143 per year)
- Failure to Observe Traffic Signals – 19 percent ($272 per year)
- Improper Passing – 20 percent ($293 per year)
- Reckless Driving – 73 percent ($1,046 per year)
- Speeding (1-15 MPH Over the Limit) – 20 percent ($288 per year)
- Speeding (16-29 MPH Over the Limit) – 22 percent ($317 per year)
- Speeding (30 MPH or More Over the Limit) – 30 percent ($427 per year)
- Tailgating – 20 percent ($284 per year)
As you can see, traffic tickets can get very expensive—and this is why it is worth fighting your ticket in most circumstances. There are several potential defenses to all types of traffic violations, and an experienced New Jersey traffic court lawyer will be able to execute an effective defense strategy on your behalf. To make sure that you are making smart decisions, contact a lawyer today.
Speak with a New Jersey Traffic Court Lawyer at Helmer, Conley & Kasselman, P.A.
Are you facing a traffic ticket in New Jersey? If so, we can help, and we encourage you to contact us to discuss your situation in confidence. To speak with an experienced New Jersey traffic court lawyer at Helmer, Conley & Kasselman, P.A. as soon as possible, please call 877-435-6371 or tell us how we can reach you online today.
