Law Office of E. Gregory M. Cannarozzi | Counsellor at Law
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201-897-3855

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Law Office of E. Gregory M. Cannarozzi | Counsellor at Law

201-897-3855

Review The Firm

Serving The New Jersey Citizens Of Oradell

NJ & NY Traffic Ticket Lawyer

Last updated on March 20, 2025

When Minor Offenses Turn Major: The Case For Legal Representation

Television crime shows rarely feature trial lawyers stalking the courtroom defending a client charged with a traffic violation. It might be tempting to think that you don’t need a lawyer for traffic or other seemingly minor municipal violations such as shoplifting or getting in a bar fight. But these charges can have consequences that are needlessly harsh unless you have a traffic ticket lawyer on your side who knows how to defend your rights and reputation. The offenses can severely impact your immigration status and ability to leave and/or return to the United States. Contact the Law Office of E. Gregory M. Cannarozzi today to learn more about how our firm can help you.

Driving Across State Lines? What New Jersey and New York Drivers Need to Know.

When traveling between New Jersey and New York, it’s important to be aware of the differences in traffic laws to avoid any potential issues. Here are some key differences and similarities you should know about:

  • Speeding laws:
    • New Jersey: Speed limits vary, with limits being generally 25 mph in residential districts and 50 mph on highways unless otherwise posted.  Fines increase in construction zones and safe corridor areas.
    • New York: Similar speed limits apply, but New York also emphasizes the use of speed cameras in school zones, particularly in New York City.
  • Cellphone and texting:
    • Both New Jersey and New York have strict laws prohibiting the use of handheld devices while driving. This includes texting or talking on a handheld cell phone. Hands-free devices are generally allowed, but any distraction can still lead to penalties, in New Jersey, and require a personal court appearance as the fine cannot be paid on line.
  • DWI/DUI laws:
    • New Jersey: The legal blood alcohol content (BAC) limit is .08% for drivers 21 years and older. Penalties may include fines, license suspension, and ignition interlock device requirements, occasionally jail time. New Jersey has a zero-tolerance policy of any “alcohol” for underage drivers.
    • New York: Also has a .08% BAC limit. Similar penalties apply, but New York has a “zero tolerance” policy for drivers under 21 with a BAC of .02% or higher.
  • License suspension and revocation:
    • New Jersey: Points are assessed for traffic violations, and accumulating 12 or more points within certain time periods can lead to an administrative license suspension by the NJ MVC. Violations, such as excessive speed on a highway, along with reckless or careless driving offenses may result in suspension of a driver’s privileges in New Jersey.
    • New York: Also uses a points system; 11 points within 18 months can result in suspension. In both New Jersey and New York, there are opportunities for point reduction through defensive driving courses.
  • CDL (commercial driver’s license) regulations:
    • Both states adhere to federal regulations for CDL holders, including stricter BAC limits (.04%) and severe penalties for violations such as DWI/DUI.
  • Traffic ticket fines and penalties:
    • New Jersey: Fines vary by offense, with additional surcharges and assessments for certain violations, including DWI. In New Jersey, a DWI is not a criminal offense. It is characterized as a quasi-criminal, meaning that it is a motor vehicle offense that goes on your driving record. A driver is exposed to jail of 180 days mandatory without a jury trial on a third or subsequent offense under certain circumstances.
    • New York: Fines also vary, and New York has a Driver Responsibility Assessment for accumulating six or more points within 18 months.

The Importance of Fighting Traffic Tickets

Being charged with a traffic offense may not land you in jail, but it could negatively impact your driving record and insurance rates, and lead to fines and other consequences most people wouldn’t choose to have. Fighting traffic tickets in New Jersey and New York can be important for several reasons, primarily due to the potential consequences that come with pleading guilty. Here are key points to consider:

The potential consequences of pleading guilty include:

  • Points on your driver’s license record: Both New Jersey and New York have a DMV points system where different violations carry different point values. Accumulating too many points can lead to penalties, including license suspension. In New Jersey, for example, accumulating 12 or more points, during a certain period of time, can result in an administrative suspension.
  • Fines and penalties: Besides the fines associated with the ticket itself, there may be additional administrative surcharges or penalties, especially if points accumulate over time.
  • Higher insurance rates: Pleading guilty to a traffic ticket may result in points on your driving record. However, motor vehicle points for a traffic offense in New Jersey do not carry over to New York licensed drivers. Moreover, Insurance companies often use these points to assess risk. Having more points can lead to an increase in your premium costs.
  • License suspension: Long-term accumulation of points and reaching the point threshold can lead to an administrative suspension of your driving privileges.
  • Employment implications: For jobs that require driving, a poor driving record can impact your employment opportunities.
  • Increased financial burden: Beyond insurance rate hikes, you may face additional state surcharges in certain cases.

Knowing your rights and the potential outcomes can help you make more informed decisions about whether to fight a ticket or plead guilty.

The Benefits of Engaging a Traffic Ticket Attorney

E. Gregory M. Cannarozzi can negotiate on your behalf to reduce the fines or penalties associated with your ticket. Our legal team is familiar with the legal system and can identify weaknesses in the case against you. Our attorney has more than 30 years of experience assisting our clients with ticket dismissals when there are procedural errors or insufficient evidence. We may be able to help you protect your driving record and keep points off your record so you can maintain lower insurance rates and avoid a potential suspension of your driving privileges

Traffic Court Lawyer Providing Defenses Against a Variety of Charges

The legal team at the Law Office of E. Gregory M. Cannarozzi represents clients across Bergen, Hudson, Essex, Passaic, Union, and Morris counties in New Jersey. In addition to Rockland, Westchester, Orange, and Sullivan counties in New York, as well as  Manhattan. These clients are battling traffic-related issues, including:

  • Driving with a suspended license
  • Driving without insurance
  • Leaving the scene of an accident
  • Possession of marijuana/drugs in a motor vehicle
  • Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) hearings for suspensions and revocations
  • Open container
  • Passing a school bus

Our legal team can effectively defend individuals who are facing these and other violations and legal issues, including:

  • Assault and battery
  • Underage drinking
  • Public lewdness
  • Writing bad checks
  • Shoplifting
  • Theft
  • Neighborhood disputes

Many of these cases can be resolved by filing motions, which means you will likely not have to go to trial.

Traffic Ticket FAQs

Absolutely. Anyone who is charged with a traffic violation of any kind can drastically benefit from hiring a competent Palisades Interstate Parkway attorney such as E. Gregory M. Cannarozzi, Esq. can work to mitigate your charges or have them dismissed entirely. An attorney can also fight to ensure you don’t get points on your driver’s license, which is paramount.

Driving is a privilege, not a right. In New Jersey, this privilege can be revoked if a driver acts irresponsibly. The State has the authority to temporarily suspend your driving rights for many reasons such as:

  • Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs
  • Refusing to undergo a blood alcohol test
  • Operating a vehicle without liability insurance
  • Speeding
  • Engaging in reckless driving
  • Fleeing the scene of an accident involving injuries
  • Not paying a fine related to driving
  • Ignoring a traffic court summons

New Jersey also employs a “point” system to monitor moving violations. Each infraction adds points to your driving record, and accumulating too many points within a certain time frame can lead to a license suspension by the Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC).

For security purposes, the New Jersey MVC no longer maintains paper files. When a driver’s license is surrendered due to suspension, a notation is made on the driver history record and the actual document is destroyed. Text appears on the driver’s restoration notice to enable him or her to obtain a free replacement license at any Motor Vehicle Commission agency when the driving privilege is restored.

To answer this question, you will have to factor in potential fines, penalties, surcharges, court costs, motor vehicle points, insurance eligibility points and effects on your driving privileges that will follow a guilty plea to the charged offenses.

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 attorney 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, which may constitute a major factor in the State’s decision on the terms of a plea bargain

As a general rule, if you are speeding to the hospital or running a red light due to an emergency, a ticket will not likely be issued, and you might get a police escort to accompany you. The violator’s attitude towards law enforcement makes a difference in whether or not a Summons is issued. The officer generally has the last word on traffic stops, and motorists can gain an advantage by being cooperative and patient with questions. Also, it doesn’t hurt to ask the officer for a warning.

The short answer is Yes. Below are three ways you can have points removed from your driving record:

  1. Safe driving deduction: If you maintain a spotless driving record, free from violations or suspensions, you can have up to 3 points deducted each year. This annual reduction takes effect one year after the latest of the following events: your most recent traffic violation, the reinstatement of your driver’s license or the last time points were deducted for safe driving.
  2. Driver improvement program: Completing a driver improvement program sanctioned by Motor Vehicle Services can also lead to a reduction of up to 2 points.
  3. Defensive driving course: Enrolling in an approved course for defensive driving can result in up to a two-point reduction from your total or up to a 7% reduction in your insurance premiums. In New Jersey, this credit is available once every 5 years.

*Please note that these courses are distinct from the New Jersey DMV courses for drivers who have accumulated 12 or more points.

You might consider hiring a criminal defense lawyer for a traffic violation if any of the following is true:

  • The violation is serious such as DUI/DWI, reckless driving or leaving the scene of an accident.
  • You are facing potential jail time or significant fines.
  • The violation could result in a suspension or revocation of your driver’s license.
  • You have accumulated multiple violations, which could impact your driving record and insurance rates.
  • You believe there is a mistake or misunderstanding regarding the violation.
  • You want to negotiate a plea deal or explore alternative sentencing options.
  • New Jersey: You generally have 20 days from the date of the conviction to plea guilty or file an appeal. It’s important to follow the specific procedures and meet deadlines, as missing them can forfeit your right to appeal.
  • New York: In New York, you typically have 30 days from the conviction date to file an appeal. Like in New Jersey, adhering to the correct procedures and timelines is crucial for a successful appeal.
  • New Jersey:
    • Consider attending a New Jersey Driver Improvement Program (DIP) or a Defensive Driving course, which can reduce points on your record.
    • Contest the ticket in court if you believe there are grounds for dismissal or reduction.
    • Consult with a traffic attorney to explore options for negotiating lesser charges or penalties.
  • New York:
    • Enroll in a New York State DMV-approved Point and Insurance Reduction Program (PIRP) to reduce points.
    • Challenge the ticket in traffic court, potentially with legal representation.
    • Keep track of your points and drive safely to avoid further infractions.

In both states, maintaining a clean driving record by adhering to traffic laws and addressing any violations promptly is key to protecting your record.

New Jersey DMV Approved Online Defensive Driving Course

Complete this 100% online, fun and simple course presented by the famous IMPROV Comedy Club. Completion of the course removes four points from your driving record and provides you with up to a 10% discount on your auto insurance policy. SPECIAL OFFER FOR OUR CLIENTS: SAVE $5 (Enter GC101 at registration and save). CLICK HERE.

NOTE: Your point total will never be reduced below zero.

Stay Off the Slippery Slope of Minor Violations. Contact a Traffic Defense Attorney Today.

Want to know your rights? Contact a skilled traffic violation lawyer with more than 30 years of experience defending clients against traffic and other municipal violations. Call the Law Office of E. Gregory M. Cannarozzi at 201-897-3855 or send an online inquiry today. We are here to fight for you every step of the way.