paythepiper
Junior Member
What is the name of your state? NJ
Timeline:
Monday 11/30 in the morning, spotted sticker on my car "This vehicle is being investigated as being ABANDONED", with a copy of the statute 39:4-56.5 printed on it. Sticker is dated 11/29, the day before.
Car was parked along the street, at the end of the driveway of my home. Car was moved into the driveway immediately.
Tuesday 12/1 Check mail and there are 5 traffic tickets. All postmarked 11/30.
39:3-4 - Driving Or Parking Unregistered Motor Vehicle - 11/29/09
39:4-135 - Parking-direction/side Of St-angle Pkng-one Wy Street - 11/29/09
39:3-4 - Driving Or Parking Unregistered Motor Vehicle - 11/27/09
39:4-56.5 - Abandonment Of Mv Subsequent Offense (public Hwy) - 11/27/09
39:4-56.5 - Abandonment Of Mv Subsequent Offense (public Hwy) - 11/29/09
The first 3 tickets are "payable". The 2 Abandonment tickets require a court appearance.
Upon seeing the tickets, I realize vehicle registration is expired.
Wed 12/2 registration is renewed.
I have spoken with only one attorney, who would charge $2000 to handle my defense, emphasizing the possibility of license suspension and fines of $3000 or more if I went in without representation.
Like many these days, money is an issue for me. After some reading online, I asked the clerk what fines/punishment Abandonment tickets usually incur. The total fines seem likely to be well below what the lawyer stated, and the odds of suspension seem low.
I was told I could appear, meet with the prosecutor, and try to settle the case on my own, and if I don't agree with how things are shaping up, I can request postponement and seek counsel at that time.
So that's my plan, but I'm posting here hoping someone will offer thoughts/advice on the number of tickets, the possibility of fighting any of them, the plea bargaining process, and the total in fines/punishment I'm likely to end up with.
Two of the tickets are repeats. Both Abandonment tickets read "subsequent".... again, the Abandoned warning sticker from the car is dated 11/29, which would seem to indicate 11/29 was a first offense. Worst case, I would assume the ticket from 11/27 should be the first offense, and the ticket from 11/29 should be the only "subsequent" offense, correct?
Timeline:
Monday 11/30 in the morning, spotted sticker on my car "This vehicle is being investigated as being ABANDONED", with a copy of the statute 39:4-56.5 printed on it. Sticker is dated 11/29, the day before.
Car was parked along the street, at the end of the driveway of my home. Car was moved into the driveway immediately.
Tuesday 12/1 Check mail and there are 5 traffic tickets. All postmarked 11/30.
39:3-4 - Driving Or Parking Unregistered Motor Vehicle - 11/29/09
39:4-135 - Parking-direction/side Of St-angle Pkng-one Wy Street - 11/29/09
39:3-4 - Driving Or Parking Unregistered Motor Vehicle - 11/27/09
39:4-56.5 - Abandonment Of Mv Subsequent Offense (public Hwy) - 11/27/09
39:4-56.5 - Abandonment Of Mv Subsequent Offense (public Hwy) - 11/29/09
The first 3 tickets are "payable". The 2 Abandonment tickets require a court appearance.
Upon seeing the tickets, I realize vehicle registration is expired.
Wed 12/2 registration is renewed.
I have spoken with only one attorney, who would charge $2000 to handle my defense, emphasizing the possibility of license suspension and fines of $3000 or more if I went in without representation.
Like many these days, money is an issue for me. After some reading online, I asked the clerk what fines/punishment Abandonment tickets usually incur. The total fines seem likely to be well below what the lawyer stated, and the odds of suspension seem low.
I was told I could appear, meet with the prosecutor, and try to settle the case on my own, and if I don't agree with how things are shaping up, I can request postponement and seek counsel at that time.
So that's my plan, but I'm posting here hoping someone will offer thoughts/advice on the number of tickets, the possibility of fighting any of them, the plea bargaining process, and the total in fines/punishment I'm likely to end up with.
Two of the tickets are repeats. Both Abandonment tickets read "subsequent".... again, the Abandoned warning sticker from the car is dated 11/29, which would seem to indicate 11/29 was a first offense. Worst case, I would assume the ticket from 11/27 should be the first offense, and the ticket from 11/29 should be the only "subsequent" offense, correct?