Speeding in NJ, Licensed in VA

[warri0r]

What is the name of your state? VA

Pulled over for speeding in NJ (72 @ 50MPH Safe Corridor Zone). Statute No: 39.4.98 Court appearance Required was not marked. My first speeding ticket. I am not sure if I were speeding at 72 however, Im sure I was along the traffic (around 65mph)

Questions:
1. Do I still need to appear in Court?
2. If I appear in Court & Plead Guilty with the Court Clerk or PP & agree for $250 Surcharge & 0 points deal, will my charges be removed off my record?
3. Will the charges be transferred to VA though I did complete step 2.
4. Is there anyway, I could find out whether or not the officer has called in sick on my court appearance day before I actually agree of Surcharge?
5. What would be my maximum points & fine amount by default?

[FlyingRon]

Originally Posted by warri0r

1. Do I still need to appear in Court?

If it isn't a mandatory appearance you can plead guilty and pay the fine by mail.

2. If I appear in Court & Plead Guilty with the Court Clerk or PP & agree for $250 Surcharge & 0 points deal, will my charges be removed off my record?

The no points option is a plea bargain. The charge does NOT drop off your record it gets changed to Unsafe Driving.

3. Will the charges be transferred to VA though I did complete step 2

Absolutely. Can't get away from the interstate drivers compact. I don't know how unsafe driving will show up but it will be between three and six points. The speeding charge itself will be six points. The number of NJ points assessed is immaterial.

4. Is there anyway, I could find out whether or not the officer has called in sick on my court appearance day before I actually agree of Surcharge?

Don't know.

5. What would be my maximum points & fine amount by default?

Six VIRGINIA points. $400 NJ fine. Technically, you can have your NJ driving privs suspended (which will affect your VA license too) and spend time in jail, but that would seem unlikely.

By the way, if you are legally required to have a NJ license (i.e., you moved to NJ and still drive on your VA license), you're in for other issues as well.

[warri0r]

Thanks for quick reply.

By the way, if you are legally required to have a NJ license (i.e., you moved to NJ and still drive on your VA license), you're in for other issues as well.

I legally live in VA. I drove down to NJ for family gathering.

Technically, you can have your NJ driving privs suspended (which will affect your VA license too) and spend time in jail, but that would seem unlikely.

This scares the sh*t out of me. I knew that Northern VA is pretty hard on drivers when it comes to speeding(Just to let you know, in VA a reckless driving charge is a class 1 misdemeanor punishable with up to 12 months in jail and a fine of up to $2500.) Am I in deep trouble as soon as NJ reports my violation to VA DMV, if I plead guilty & pay my mail.

[FlyingRon]

I'm quite familiar with the reckless driving charge in Virginia, my daughter got one (fortunately pled it down) and one of my employees spent a few days in jail for doing in excess of 100 MPH on the way home from work one night.

However, the only thing that will happen to you in Virginia is points. VA doesn't have a surcharge or anything like that so once you get your lumps in NJ, you'll get assessed points here. If you're driving record is clean it's no big thing. If you're under 20 it will trigger a mandatory driver school (which just means you waste a saturday or whatever watching stupid movies and talking to a bored instructor). If you're over 20 and you already have some points you can do drivers school to reduce the point total (this you can even do on line).

[lwpat]

The problem is that VA keeps tickets on your reocrd for five years and you are in for a major insurance increase. If you get a ticket in VA in the meantime, the judge is not as likely to reduce or dismiss it. You need to fight the NJ ticket even if you have to hire an attorney.

[warri0r]

Thanks everyone for kind advice.

I have decided to appear in court, contact Public Prosecutor, Plead Guilty, Pay extra $250 to reduce my charge from speeding to some lesser offense after hearing various suggestions.

Now, my question would be,

a. While I bargain with PP, what would be the best deal I could come up with PP, e.g: pay more money but lower my charges from Speeding in Safe corridor to simple moving violation (i would be happy if I could get some violations(names) from experienced advisers keeping in mind that it does not hurt my VA License.

b. Any other suggestions & advice to speak with PP(right words & phrases which makes him understand that I really regret & apologize for my stupidity. I would like to remind everyone that English is not by first language.

[warri0r]

Ok, Now I figured out that my ticket information is not yet updated online. I have been calling the Court for the past 5 business days, they keep saying that my ticket is not in their system.

However, my court appearance date is 06/20/07. Tomorrow.

My questions would be:

1. Is it still advisable to appear in court tomorrow morning? (I had to travel 250 miles)
2. If I plan not to attend, & unfortunately if my ticket is updated in their system tomorrow, will I be in trouble?
3. I even asked the officer on the other end to re-schedule my court date, she goes, she cant do anything about this without any ticket information on it. Will I be able to re-schedule it tomorrow morning if my ticket is updated in their system tomorrow? (my court scheduled time is 9.00AM)

Thanks for all the support.

[FlyingRon]

1. Is it still advisable to appear in court tomorrow morning? (I had to travel 250 miles)

If you haven't sent in your payment and pled guilty or otherwise gotten a continuance,
YES you must appear. The "system" is NOT the issue.

2. If I plan not to attend, & unfortunately if my ticket is updated in their system tomorrow, will I be in trouble?

System or NOT you either prepay and plead guilty or you appear. Don't do either you are in trouble.

3. I even asked the officer on the other end to re-schedule my court date, she goes, she cant do anything about this without any ticket information on it. Will I be able to re-schedule it tomorrow morning if my ticket is updated in their system tomorrow? (my court scheduled time is 9.00AM)

The cop has no discretion in this. It's up to the court.

[warri0r]

Thanks FlyingRON for prompt reply.

Unfortunately, in my case I dont know the fine amount also since its not updated on line. I dont have any information on my ticket.

The cop has no discretion in this. It's up to the court.

I was referring to the person who answers my call whenever, I call the court to re-schedule the date.

Looks like my ticket information is not available on the online system or in court system. Im getting confused now. Unfortunately, I couldnt travel to NJ on Wednesday due to emergency reasons.

I called them yesterday & also today morning. They keep saying they dont see my ticket information in their system. They wanted me to check back next week. The court officer informed me that I will not be penalised & that new court date will be sent to me.

Am I still in trouble?