That is where I went. The people without a lawyer were getting conversions to no point tickets, but I don't think they were 5 point tickets. They had to pay big fines anyway, so get a lawyer. Also I was the 2nd case called; people with lawyers get to go first.

 

Madatory court apperence. the only time i used to check that box was when the driver was being how can i say this... uncooperative.

it is required for excessive speeding - 15 MPH or more above the posted limit, Improper lane changes, or following a vehicle to closely. taken directly off the cover of the ticket book in my bag

In my experience from the one issuing the ticket. I was always appering in court for stuff like these. the prosecuter would always ask me about the case and if it was OK to lessen the charge. if i agree he makes the suggestio to the judge. 99 percent of the time the judge agreed with them.

the fine should be on the back of the ticket. figure that plus the upcharge in insurance and see if it is over what you think you will pay for an lawyer. most of the stuff lawyers do it BS. they just have a better relationship with the judge and prosecutor.

you can talk to the prosecutor and see what he says. if you get no where with them you can ask to reschedule to get a lawyer. I doubt a lawyer will be able to have the charges droped. most likely have it reduced to 10-14 over.

 

good advice.....

 

Hey Don ! ...hope all is well ...good advice

 

your done.get the check book out

 

yo Dino what up

 

First, never plead guilty. And don't get a lawyer unless you want to pay $500 for almost nothing. By pleading not guilty and going to court there is a good chance that the court will reduce your charge if you agree to plead guilty to a lesser charge. It's called plea bargaining.

 

Is the "start fresh" rule the same in NJ?

 

Just go in there and say you had diarrhea and had to make it to a rest room. They may reduce it for being so candid.

 

$500 for a lawyer.


Talk over your charges with an attorney and see what they recommend. Keep in mind you are 30 over and you are in New Jersey.

If you like what the attorney has to say then get them to represent you, if you don't like what they say then go do it yourself.

Good luck.

 

That's what happens when you appeal your conviction in any legal case anywhere. At least that's what I think happens but I'm not a lawyer just a speeder who got caught and did what I described. The actual ticket had a latin phrase that I've forgotten that means something like "start fresh" if you appeal.

 

Save the money for the lawyer and use than money to pay the ticket, the court will let you talk to the prosecutor to plead down the speed some. but the court want to make money. At that excessive speed a lawyer can't do much but make you pay for his or her time in court.
I just be a speeding ticket in New Brunswick 3 weeks ago.

Randy

 

I am not a lawyer but I know a few of them and I've seen them in action a few times. what ever you do do NOT plead guilty. Look at OJ. Guilty as can be and he walked.

I know a Judge in a north Jersey town and I also recently had a speeding ticket in Jersey (different town). He gave me this advice (see bold): You want to talk to the prosecutor when you arrive at court (early) before the judge starts the session and tell him you want to plea bargain your ticket down to blocking traffic without having your hazzards on. I don't remember the statute but you can research it before you go to court so that you can quote the statute number. If he agrees (which he should), this will avoid points and this is exactly what the lawyer will be doing for you although a lawyer may use a different statute. If you don't get to talk to the prosecutor before the judge starts court, don't worry... just plead not-guilty when the judge asks for your plea but also tell him you are willing to plead guilty to a lesser offense and that you would like to talk to the prosecutor. He might antagonize you a bit as I find some judges are arrogant and they think we know their system as well as they do - that's another story. But, that's about the worst that can happen - you will not be cuffed and sent to jail to be somebody's boyfriend for the night - at least not in Jersey (well maybe south Jersey). You will still have a fine and court charge but it will save you about $300 from getting a lawyer. I only recomend this if you feel comfortable with doing it and the $300 lawyer fee is a big deal to you.

When I went to court recently the judge was extrememly nice and told everyone who did not have a lawyer to plead not guilty and to talk to the prosecutor. The prosecutor gave everyone a break from their original traffic offense but they still had fines of about $300. The money is mostly what they are interested in.

If you want to play hardball and try to have the ticket dismissed with no points and no fees you can request the calibration documentation for the radar equipment (unless you were paced) from the police dept. This is called discovery. Do it by fax so you can show the judge your documented request. If they don't come up with the calibration docs then you are off the hook. If they do come up with the docs and the instrument is within calibration and effective date then go back to plan A. If the equipment is not within calibration and effective date then they used uncalibrated equipment and again you should be off the hook.

Good Luck.

 

de novo?

 

Don't know how long ago you got that advice but there is a new no point statute now. Most likely you will also pay to have the ticket converted to this statue; it was created so the state/towns can get their money but to give an opportunity to good drivers who make a mistake an option so they don’t get points. It will be hard to plea a 5 point ticket to this on your own, it is usually 4 or less points for a person who has a good record.

The statue is NJSA 39:4-97.2 Unsafe Driving and it works like this:
There are no points associated with this statute; however, the statute can only be used two times within a five year period. Should you plead guilty to NJSA 39:4-97.2 Unsafe Driving a third time within five years, DMV will assess 4 points against you.

Operating a motor vehicle in an unsafe manner, endangering
persons or property-
First offense: $50-$150 and 0 points
Second offense: $100-$250 and 0 points
Third or subsequent offense: $200-$500 and 4 points.

Like I said in addition to this you may get assed a conversion fee, court cost and may have to pay the original fine as well. What also may happen if you go with out an attorney they may reduce the ticket to 2 points but you still have to pay this fine and the 2 point ticket fine. It is all about making money.

You can roll the dice and go it alone, but with 5 points they judge can suspend your license, especially if you have existing points within the last three years. Or play it safe and get an attorney.

 

and hopefully the prosecutor is in a good mood that day. The lawyers know the prosecutor and the Judge so there is a very good chance your five point ticket becomes a two point ticket and it only costs you big bucks once. No insurance surcharge

 

I have been a NJ State Trooper for 10 years and the above pretty much sums up how things work here in New Jersey. As long as you didn't **** off the Trooper or P/O, You yourself can do what most attorneys charge 300-500 to do in a New Jersey Court. And that is walk up to the Officer and ask if you can get a reduction. If he is not there, then go to the prosecutor directly and ask the same. Most often, there is a liason officer at the court doing whatever he can to dispose of the cases without having to go to trial and this means a deal for you. (Especially in State Police cases where they can't afford to have all the troops in court at once). These NJ attorneys make money on their rep for getting reductions in fines when all they do is say "Hey troop, what can we do here" 90% of the time. You can do it yourself. In your case, I think you may get it down to 9 over and the minimum points. You can pay a lawyer and roll the dice to go to trial, But it's hard to win. In 7 years on the road, I never lost one of the 5 trials I had. It may be easier to beat a local though, I really don't know.
Anyhow, Good luck.

Keep in mind that almost no other courtroom in any other State works this way - It's just NJ politics like it or not. I'm not trying to bash lawyers or defend police here, just stating the facts as I have come to know them.

 

That is the way it works. Go yourself without an attorney and work the deal yourself. If your not happy then tell the judge you could not work our a deal with the prosecutor and that you want a postponement to get an attorney. I'm sure they will deal. You do not need an attorney...save your money

 

so what was the out come??????

 

NJ Cruiser hit the nail on the head. I have been on the job for 20 years and this is done all day long.

PS; Local cops win their cases too. I have never lost a trial in 20 years.