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 like 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. Contact the Law Office of E. Gregory M. Cannarozzi today to learn more about how our firm can help you.
Traffic Ticket Lawyer | Providing Defenses Against a Variety Of Charges
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. The Law Office of E. Gregory M. Cannarozzi represents clients who are dealing with 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
The firm 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 FAQ
Should I hire a lawyer if I was issued a traffic citation on the Palisades Interstate Parkway?
Absolutely. Anyone who is charged with a traffic violation of any kind can drastically benefit from hiring a competent Palisades Interstate Parkway traffic ticket lawyer. Our firm can work to mitigate your charges or have them dismissed entirely. We will also fight to ensure you don’t get points on your driver’s license, which is paramount.
When can my driver’s license be suspended or revoked?
Driving a car is considered a privilege, and the State of New Jersey will not hesitate to take it away if a driver behaves irresponsibly on the road. A State may temporarily suspend your driving privileges for a number of reasons, including:
- Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs
- Refusing to take a blood-alcohol test
- Driving without liability insurance
- Speeding
- Reckless driving
- Leaving the scene of an injury accident
- Failing to pay a driving-related fine
- Failing to answer a traffic summons
- Failing to file an accident report
In addition, New Jersey uses a “point” system to keep track of a driver’s moving violations: each moving violation is assigned a certain number of points. If a driver accumulates too many points within a given period of time, the Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC) will suspend his or her license.
Why doesn’t New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC) return a driver’s license after the period of suspension?
For security purposes, 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.
Should I plead guilty or not guilty to a traffic violation in a court of law?
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 traffic ticket lawyer 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, and this is a major factor in the State’s decision on the terms of a plea bargain.
Are there viable excuses or questions that might prevent an officer from issuing a traffic ticket?
As a general rule, if you are speeding to the hospital, or run a red light due to an emergency, a ticket will not likely be issued and you might get a police escort to accompany you. But in the end, the violator’s attitude really does make a difference whether or not a ticket 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.
Can I reduce points on my license in New Jersey?
Three ways points can be reduced and/or deducted:
- For every year of safe driving (no violations or suspensions), up to three points may be subtracted from your point total. This reduction of points occurs one year after:
- your last point violation
- your license was restored
- or the last time annual safe driving points were subtracted from your record (whichever is later).
- After completion of a Motor Vehicle Services-approved driver improvement program, up to three points may be subtracted from your point total. These programs are only offered to problem drivers selected by Motor Vehicle Services. Credit is given for one program maximum every two years.
- After completion of a Motor Vehicle Services-approved defensive driving course, up to two points may be subtracted from your point total. Credit is given for one program maximum every five years.
*These above courses are separate from the NJDMV course for violators who have accumulated 12 or more points.
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 Ticket Lawyer Today.
Want to know your rights? Contact a skilled traffic ticket lawyer with more than 30 years of experience defending clients against traffic and other municipal violations today. The Law Office of E. Gregory M. Cannarozzi is here to fight for you, every step of the way.
