2nd Ticket, First in NJ

[NAP]

What is the name of your state? NJ
Hi,
I got my first moving violation ticket this January for unsafe driving. This was part of an accident due to my auto skidding on Black Ice in PA. There were no personal injuries.
Again, last week I got a speeding ticket in NJ for doing 71 on a 50 mph zone on a “Safe Corridor”. Because I got a ticket in a “safe corridor”, I have to appear in court and would be assessed 4 points if found guilty.
From several of my friends, I hear that when they went to one of the courts in Central Jersey for their first speeding ticket, they got to talk to the DA. The DA asked them whether they had prior tickets and then gave them a deal where they paid more fine but had “no points.” What are the chances of my getting such a deal? Does 2 points already on my record matter? I am willing to pay more for lesser or no points. Do I need to hire a lawyer in my situation? What should be the average layer’s fee for this?
Thanks,
NAP

 

[seniorjudge]

What is the name of your state? NJ
Hi,
I got my first moving violation ticket this January for unsafe driving. This was part of an accident due to my auto skidding on Black Ice in PA. There were no personal injuries.
Again, last week I got a speeding ticket in NJ for doing 71 on a 50 mph zone on a “Safe Corridor”. Because I got a ticket in a “safe corridor”, I have to appear in court and would be assessed 4 points if found guilty.
From several of my friends, I hear that when they went to one of the courts in Central Jersey for their first speeding ticket, they got to talk to the DA. The DA asked them whether they had prior tickets and then gave them a deal where they paid more fine but had “no points.” What are the chances of my getting such a deal? Does 2 points already on my record matter? I am willing to pay more for lesser or no points. Do I need to hire a lawyer in my situation? What should be the average layer’s fee for this?
Thanks,
NAP

Standard answer

Here are some hints on appearing in court:

Dress professionally in clean clothes.

Do not wear message shirts.

Don't chew gum, smoke, or eat.

Bathe and wash your hair.

Go to court beforehand some day before you actually have to go to watch how things go.

Speak politely and deferentially. If you argue or dispute something, do it professionally and without emotion.

Ask the court clerk who you talk to about a diversion (meaning you want to plead to a different, lesser charge), if applicable in your situation. Ask about traffic school and the ticket not go on your record, if applicable.


Here are five stories that criminal court judges hear the most (and I suggest you do not use them or variations of them):

1. I’ve been saved! (This is not religion specific; folks from all kinds of religious backgrounds use this one.)

2. My girlfriend/mother/sister/daughter is pregnant/sick/dying/dead/crippled and needs my help.

3. I’ve got a job in [name a state five hundred miles away].

4. This is the first time I ever did this.

5. You’ve got the wrong guy. (A variation of this one is the phantom defendant story: “It wasn’t me driving, it was a hitchhiker I picked up. He wrecked the car, drug me behind the wheel then took off.”)

https://forum.freeadvice.com/showthread.php?p=854687#post854687

Other people may give you other advice; stand by.