NJ - License Suspended due to late surcharge payment

[chocodove]

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? New Jersey]

Hello all - I conducted a brief search on the forums but did not see anything addressing this specifically, so please forgive me if this is info that is already on here.

A few months ago my license was suspended due to an overdue parking ticket. During this time period, I was pulled over and received a ticket for driving with a suspended license (they ran my plates). I paid the overdue ticket and restoration fee, then went to court, paid $250 and then they imposed the $250 surcharge. I started the installment plan for the surcharge, but then I fell behind by two months. Apparently they suspended me again last week (I honestly think I did not receive notification in the mail) and I was then pulled over again yesterday and received another ticket for driving while suspended.

I have already paid the surcharges and restoration in full as of today, but I have to go to court again this Monday. Any ideas as to what I can expect? My driving record is SPOTLESS as far as moving violations are concerned, never had any points whatsoever. This is all due to one parking ticket and then I fell behind on the surcharge due to financial hardship. Any way to fight this and will I receive an even stiffer penalty than the first time since it is a second offense?

Many thanks in advance.

[patstew]

Originally Posted by chocodove

I started the installment plan for the surcharge, but then I fell behind by two months. Apparently they suspended me again last week (I honestly think I did not receive notification in the mail)

Do you still have the paperwork for the installment plan? I'm guessing (like ours) it might say failure to comply will result in (something) without further notice.

[chocodove]

I do still have it, and you are probbably right. I am mostly worried about what type of fine/penalty I will have to pay and how I should plead on Monday. The reason I was behind in the first place was due to hardship.

[HuAi]

I'm curious - how did you lose your license over an unpaid parking ticket? I'm from NJ as well and all parking citations i've received were issued by municipal parking authorities with only the vehicle info on them. There is no way to establish who is the driver. Did they just go after the registered owner?

[chocodove]

I'm curious - how did you lose your license over an unpaid parking ticket? I'm from NJ as well and all parking citations i've received were issued by municipal parking authorities with only the vehicle info on them. There is no way to establish who is the driver. Did they just go after the registered owner?

Yes, that is correct. The incident occurred in Seaside Heights and they suspended the license of the registered owner, which in this case was me. The ticket was originally for an overdue meter.