First Time Offender :(

Well, to cut to the chase, I got a ticket tonite. Was a failure to observe signal, light was yellow and I took a turn... got pulled over and handed a $85.00 ticket. This is my first ticket ever. I live in NJ.... is it likely that I can get it dropped?

 

just delay the court hearing a couple times you should be alright. or call a ticket lawyer.

 

Each case, each court, each judge, and each session is different, so it's a bit pointless to ask people to predict your chances. But my experience has been that they like to enforce this one in NJ...seen it stick in at least 5 different courts, from Edison to Hoboken. Delaying it won't help, as cops get paid extra to attend court--they make it a point to attend, even on their days off.

My advice would be to talk to the prosecutor beforehand and see if you can have it amended to a non-moving violation charge. You will have to pay a fine, and it may be more than the original ticket, but you get no points on your license and therefore no insurance surcharge. If you are not comfortable doing this, get a lawyer. Which town are you in? I know the Livingston, Montclair and Bloomfield police departments really well and might be able to have a friend "make a call" on your behalf.

Incidentally, you mentioned that it's an $85 ticket. You realize that is insignificant compared to the $900 insurance surcharge over the next three years, right?

 

yeah, its the insurance thats gonna get me, $85 i don't mind...


it was in new providence....i live in berkeley heights

 

DId you run a red light? New Jersey has a $300 surcharge for failing to yield. Anyway, do what TVRFREAK says.

 

I went through a yellow, turned red... the ticket says its a $85.00 fine, police officer said same too...


been driving for 9yrs guess I just got unlucky

but yeah like tvrfreak stated, my main concern is the insurance

 

Look at it this way, I think you've BEEN lucky.