Navigating traffic tickets and motor vehicle violations in New Jersey can be a daunting experience, potentially leading to significant fines, increased insurance premiums, and even the suspension of your driving privileges. Understanding the complexities of New Jersey traffic law is crucial, and having experienced legal representation can make all the difference. This is where a seasoned attorney like Richard Huizenga Lawyer at internetlawyers.net becomes invaluable. With a proven track record in New Jersey Municipal Courts, Richard Huizenga and his team are dedicated to helping you fight traffic tickets, minimize motor vehicle points, and protect your driving record.
Understanding the NJ Motor Vehicle Point System
New Jersey operates on a points system to track driving violations. When you are convicted of a moving violation, the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC) adds points to your driving record. The number of points varies depending on the severity of the offense. Less serious infractions, such as Careless Driving, Failing to Observe a Traffic Control Device, or Speeding (1 to 14 mph over the limit), result in two points. More significant violations, like Speeding (15 to 29 mph over the limit) or Improper Passing, carry a four-point penalty. Severe offenses, including Reckless Driving, Speeding (30 mph or more over the limit), and Passing a School Bus, can incur five points. The most serious violations, such as Leaving the Scene of an Injury Accident, can result in eight points. Notably, even traffic violations committed outside of New Jersey can lead to two points being added to your NJ driving record.
For a comprehensive list of violations and their associated points, you can consult the official NJ point table provided by the Motor Vehicle Commission.
The Impact of Points on Your Driving Record and Insurance
Accumulating points on your New Jersey driving record can have several adverse consequences:
- Surcharges: If you accumulate six or more points within three years, you will be assessed a surcharge by the MVC. This is an additional financial penalty on top of fines and court costs.
- License Suspension: Gathering 12 or more points will result in the suspension of your New Jersey driving license. This can significantly impact your ability to commute to work, manage daily responsibilities, and maintain your independence.
- Increased Insurance Rates: Even just two points on your record can lead to an increase in your auto insurance premiums. Four points or more typically result in a much more substantial rate hike.
- Policy Cancellation: New Jersey insurance companies are within their rights to cancel your policy if you or another driver covered under your plan accumulates five or more points. This can make it challenging and more expensive to obtain insurance in the future.
Strategies for Removing Points from Your NJ Driving Record
While the MVC maintains a permanent record of accumulated points, there are avenues to earn point deductions and improve your driving record. Richard Huizenga Lawyer understands these strategies and can advise you on the best course of action.
- Violation-Free Driving: Perhaps the simplest way to reduce points is by maintaining a clean driving record. For each year you drive without any violations or suspensions, three points will automatically be deducted from your total.
- Defensive Driving Courses: Completing an MVC-approved defensive driving course can earn you a two-point deduction. This option can be utilized once every five years to reduce points.
- Driver Improvement Programs: Participating in a driver improvement program can lead to a three-point deduction from your driving record. This program can be used once every two years.
- Probationary Driver Program: New drivers in a probationary period may also be eligible for a three-point deduction upon completion of a probationary driver program.
Proactive Point Prevention: How Richard Huizenga Lawyer Can Help
The most effective way to avoid the negative consequences of motor vehicle points is to prevent them from being added to your record in the first place. This is where the expertise of Richard Huizenga Lawyer becomes paramount.
The Law Firm of Richard Huizenga has extensive experience navigating New Jersey Municipal Courts. Richard Huizenga Lawyer and his team will personally appear in court with you, skillfully negotiating with prosecutors and police officers to potentially reduce or eliminate the points associated with your traffic ticket.
In many cases, even for speeding tickets, Richard Huizenga Lawyer can often negotiate to have the charge reduced to an Unsafe Operation Violation under N.J.S.A. 39:4-97.2. Crucially, the first two convictions for this violation result in zero motor vehicle points. For non-speeding offenses, even for drivers who have already utilized their two Unsafe Operation Violations, Richard Huizenga Lawyer often succeeds in securing reductions to other no-point violations.
Alt text: Richard Huizenga Lawyer skillfully advocating for a client in a New Jersey Municipal Court, demonstrating his commitment to effective traffic ticket defense.
Out-of-State Violations and CDL Holders
If you are a New Jersey licensed driver and receive a moving violation in another state, New Jersey will still assess two points against your record, regardless of the specific violation. Conversely, if you are licensed out-of-state and receive a traffic ticket in New Jersey, New Jersey will report the conviction to your home state, which will then assess points according to its own state policies. Richard Huizenga Lawyer is adept at helping out-of-state drivers minimize the impact of New Jersey traffic violations on their home state driving records. His firm can represent you in New Jersey Municipal Court, often without requiring you to travel back to New Jersey for court appearances.
For drivers holding a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) in New Jersey, traffic violations carry even more severe consequences. Certain moving violations can lead to CDL suspension, even if you were driving a non-commercial vehicle at the time of the offense. Richard Huizenga Lawyer understands the unique challenges faced by CDL holders and provides specialized defense to protect their commercial driving privileges.
Contact Richard Huizenga Lawyer for Expert Traffic Ticket Assistance
Don’t let a traffic ticket negatively impact your driving record, insurance rates, or livelihood. Contact Richard Huizenga Lawyer at internetlawyers.net today for a consultation. His expertise in New Jersey traffic law and dedication to his clients make him the ideal advocate to fight your traffic tickets and safeguard your driving future. Let the Law Firm of Richard Huizenga work for you to achieve the best possible outcome in your traffic violation case.
