As you or may not be aware, Speeding (N.J.S.A. 39:4-98) and Reckless Driving (N.J.S.A. 39:4-96) tickets often go hand-in-hand. If you are caught driving at a high rate of speed (101 MPH in a 65 MPH zone for instance), then the officer may, in addition to a Speeding ticket, issue you a traffic ticket for Reckless Driving based on the fact that your high rate of speed demonstrated a “willful or wanton disregard of the rights or safety of others, in a manner so as to endanger, or likely to endanger, a person or property.” When judges see Speeding and Reckless driving tickets side-by-side, they are likely going to consider a suspension of your driving privileges for up to ninety (90) days, in addition to any fines and the ten (10) points the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission will assess. These penalties and repercussions seem vastly disproportionate for one minor instance of a “heavy foot” or inattentive driving.
If you or someone you love have been charged with Speeding or Reckless Driving, contact the traffic attorneys at the Law Offices of Jonathan F. Marshall at (877) 450-8301. Our team of former Municipal and County Prosecutors are well-equipped to handle your traffic tickets in New Jersey. Our representatives may be reached 24/7 and the initial consultation is always provided free of charge. Call today.
Reckless Driving and Speeding Ticket Attorney
Recently, I was retained by a client who was caught driving 111 MPH on the Garden State Parkway (a 65 MPH zone). He was subsequently charged with two offenses, Speeding under N.J.S.A. 39:4-98 and Reckless Driving under N.J.S.A. 39:4-96. My client had initially tried to handle the case on his own and was told by the judge that his license would likely be suspended if he plead guilty to the charges. Based on those representations, our client reached out to the firm to speak to us about what could be done to protect his license and limit the points he was potentially having placed on his record by MVC (each ticket was a 5 point ticket). After our firm sent in a letter of representation, we began making demands for discovery and, after multiple appearances, were able to file a motion to dismiss based on failure to turn over discovery. The motion was granted and the charges against my client were dismissed. This not only saved my client from court fines and a license suspension, but the client also avoided thousands of dollars in insurance and MVC surcharges.
New Jersey Administrative Suspension
Another aspect of this case involved the points MVC could impose for each ticket. My client already had 4 points on his license and 10 more would have triggered a motor vehicle commission suspension (12 is the triggering number for point accumulation). So not only was he looking at a court ordered suspension but also would have received a notice of an administrative suspension from MVC, a double hit for the client. These are the type of repercussion that most lay people handling their own charges are unaware of. For a complimentary consultation regarding your traffic violation, contact the Law Offices of Jonathan F. Marshall at (877) 450-8301.
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