New Jersey traffic tickets carry serious consequences. But, an experienced New Jersey traffic ticket attorney can help you minimize those consequences and resolve the ticket with the best possible outcome. If you have been issued a traffic ticket in New Jersey and don’t know what to do, call the Law Office of Peter Briskin at (908) 279-7979 to learn how we can help.
Careless Driving vs. Reckless Driving in NJ
Careless driving (NJSA 39:4-97) is one of the most common traffic tickets issued in New Jersey. You may be ticketed for careless driving whenever a law enforcement officer believes that you were driving carelessly, without due caution, and in a manner that endangers persons or property. Careless driving is often issued as a catch-all for conduct that does not fit the criteria for other moving violations.
In New Jersey, the difference between careless driving and reckless driving (NJSA 39:4-96) lies in the fact that careless driving tickets are issued to those who drive without due caution (an unintentional act), while reckless driving tickets are reserved for those who drive with wanton disregard for life or property (an intentional act). Reckless driving is, therefore, a much more serious offense in New Jersey and carries with it much more serious penalties.
The Penalties for Careless Driving Ticket in NJ?
If you’re found guilty or plead guilty to careless driving in New Jersey, you will be facing the following penalties and consequences:
- A fine of $50 – $200;
- $34 in court fees, if you choose to go to court;
- Up to 15 days in jail at the judge’s discretion (usually reserved for the most extreme cases); and
- 2 points assessed against your driver’s license.
Also, if you rack up 6 points or more in a three-year-period, you will be assessed a surcharge of $150 each year, for three years. What’s more, a conviction for careless driving may cause your insurance premiums to rise considerably.
Defending a Careless Driving Ticket in New Jersey
In many cases, a person who has been charged with careless driving may be able to plead down to a charge of unsafe driving (39:4-97.2), a lesser offense that does not carry points against your driving license.
It should be noted, however, a conviction for unsafe driving carries an automatic surcharge of $250. You should, therefore, speak with an experienced New Jersey traffic attorney before deciding to plead down to unsafe driving.
An experienced attorney may be able to get the charge dismissed completely. Furthermore, if the careless driving ticket was the result of an accident you were involved in, any type of guilty plea may result in you being held financially liable for any damage to persons or property caused by the accident.
Call the Law Office of Peter Briskin today at (908) 279-7979 to arrange a no-cost, no-obligation consultation with an experienced New Jersey traffic ticket lawyer. We will assess the circumstances surrounding the issuance of your careless driving ticket and advise you on the best way to resolve the matter.