Need opinions about a traffic ticket

"Stapleface-Now Hyphenated!" (patrickgruden)
06/08/2015 at 11:18 • Filed to: None

This past Friday I received a ticket for moving over too early at an intersection to turn right.

Details here:

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I admit I was in the wrong here. My issue is that I think a 4 point ticket is a little egregious. Looking at the State of NJ moving violations chart, leaving the scene of an accident, driving on a sidewalk, and passing someone stopped for a pedestrian in a crosswalk are all 2 points. Those all seem far worse than what I did, at least to me.

So, the question is, what would you do Oppo? Should I get a traffic lawyer? I’m willing to pay a fine, as I was guilty of moving over prematurely. I just don’t feel as though the points on the ticket really coincide with the offense.

DISCUSSION (24)

nFamousCJ - Keeper of Stringbean, Gengars and a Deezul > Stapleface-Now Hyphenated!
06/08/2015 at 08:35

How clean is your record? If clean get a print out and bring it with you. Most traffic courts let you talk to the DA beforehand - last time I went he was rubber stamping tickets to drop them down to a lesser offence since they were still getting their court fees handled and making room for the more serious cases.

Traffic lawyer seems like added cost though and may be overkill. But that’s just my 2c

TheRealBicycleBuck > Stapleface-Now Hyphenated!
06/08/2015 at 08:37

If this is your first offense, talk to the judge about taking defensive driving. Depending on the rules in NJ and the mood of the judge, many states will allow you to take the course in lieu of the fine and the points on your record. You will still have to pay the court costs. It’s a win-win-win for everybody!

http://www.state.nj.us/mvc/Licenses/D…

pip bip - choose Corrour > Stapleface-Now Hyphenated!
06/08/2015 at 08:39

pay it and move on.

Stapleface-Now Hyphenated! > nFamousCJ - Keeper of Stringbean, Gengars and a Deezul
06/08/2015 at 08:40

No points on my record, one ticket in Jan 14 (no points) after being clean for 15+ years. I’ve been told by a few people that live in this area that this is a money generator for the township, so this might be all their after. My bigger issue is that last time I pleaded down a ticket it costs me an extra $350 just to avoid the points. Something I've been told by a few people that live in this area that this is a money generator for the township, so this might be all their after. My bigger issue is that last time I pleaded down a ticket it costs me an extra $350 just to avoid the points. Something about a lesser ticket but yet it cost way more blah blah blah

dogisbadob > Stapleface-Now Hyphenated!
06/08/2015 at 11:22

4 points? Get a lawyer.

I mean, if it was just like a ticket for one your lights out, something with a small fine and no points, just pay it, but for something major like that, fight it.

Snuze: Needs another Swede > Stapleface-Now Hyphenated!
06/08/2015 at 11:28

This might be a good idea. I’ve had tickets reduced or eliminated this way in the past.

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > Stapleface-Now Hyphenated!
06/08/2015 at 11:29

I’m not saying you shouldn’t go to court to try and get it lowered, but I think the cop was right to ticket, and I’ll explain why.

I reviewed the overheads in the original post and it’s all about that driveway. If you move over before the driveway with your blinker on, someone could think your pulling into that driveway (I assume it’s a business) and pull out in front of you causing an accident. I would wager that if you had done it after the driveway he wouldn’t have stopped you.

I don’t know that a lawyer would help more than giving you more bills to pay though.

Stapleface-Now Hyphenated! > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner
06/08/2015 at 11:32

Yeah, I’m not denying that I moved over. He was in the right to ticket me. I’m willing to pay a fine for my stupidity, too, as there is no one to blame but myself. My issue is the 4 points, which seems rather unnecessarily harsh.

Nibby > Stapleface-Now Hyphenated!
06/08/2015 at 11:35

Set NJ on fire and move to a new state.

Stapleface-Now Hyphenated! > Nibby
06/08/2015 at 11:37

Yes! Best answer of all. I hate this damn state (and not for the ticket). I really don't like the climate, or the property taxes. Or the fact that my commute each month is $116 in tolls.

Coty > pip bip - choose Corrour
06/08/2015 at 11:40

lolno

crowmolly > Stapleface-Now Hyphenated!
06/08/2015 at 11:45

What township?

I got written for that in Bridgewater. Went to court, they knocked it down to “unsafe use of a lane” and I paid and was out the door.

Other townships are much more ball busting.

Stapleface-Now Hyphenated! > crowmolly
06/08/2015 at 11:47

Evesham Township. Talking to other people I work with that live there their response was pretty much yup, that's Evesham.

crowmolly > Stapleface-Now Hyphenated!
06/08/2015 at 11:55

I dunno if I’d lawyer up but I’d certainly go to court to get a plea deal.

Sounds like you got dinged for it similar to how I did- traffic backed way up at a light so you got out of the lane too early. Bad judgement call but not the same as some idiot weaving through traffic on 295. But 4 goddamn points!

Stapleface-Now Hyphenated! > crowmolly
06/08/2015 at 11:58

Exactly, that’s my issue. When leaving the scene of an accident and driving on a sidewalk are both two points, getting on the shoulder too early seems a little ridiculous for a 4 pointer.

JGrabowMSt > Stapleface-Now Hyphenated!
06/08/2015 at 12:39

What county? I’ve never had an issue with this myself, but that’s a lot of fine for the offense. At the same time, it could easily be a heftier violation for driving on the shoulder or similar.

I would consult a traffic attorney, but not necessarily hire them for a defense unless the end justifies the means. I would always be willing to pay more for less or no points, but you could just as easily get the one judge that DGAF that day. Really tough to say. My girlfriend recently had a ticket dropped and just had to pay court fees because her insurance company just didn’t mail their insurance cards on time, and the cop who pulled her over was just looking for money. She didn’t need any help as she had the proof and date of payment, along with the current card by the time she had to go in for it. It just ended up being a colossal waste of time waiting to just get it over with.

Stapleface-Now Hyphenated! > JGrabowMSt
06/08/2015 at 12:42

Burlington County. I’m going to go to court, that’s a definite on my part. I probably won't go the lawyer route, just read up on the statute as much as I can and see what I can work out with the prosecutor.

450X_FTW > Stapleface-Now Hyphenated!
06/08/2015 at 13:06

4 fucking points!?

Maybe bring a triple bacon cheeseburger to Gov Christie’s office and see if he’ll pardon you.

Stapleface-Now Hyphenated! > 450X_FTW
06/08/2015 at 13:22

A triple cheeseburger would probably make me Lt. Governor for the day. lol

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > Stapleface-Now Hyphenated!
06/08/2015 at 13:32

that part hurts. maybe they will drop it down some for you in court, I really think the driveway is the issue though. In fact, you (and people like you) that get over with their blinker on and zip by the entrance are why i have trust issues when exiting parking lots lol.

and I saw your other posts, I liked living in NJ but I was too young for property tax (which I know is brutal). I was born there and lived there full time until I went to college at Michigan State, so then I was a part time resident for 4 years, then a full time Michigan resident.

No inspection and low property tax out here, come on out! Climate can be harsher in winter though lol.

The trick is to do what my parents did. Live in the expensive as hell cost of living area the majority of your life, then sell your house and move to a cheap area, they chose South Carolina because no snow. They were able to build a beautiful house and have money left over for a new truck and a boat because they sold the NJ house.

Stapleface-Now Hyphenated! > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner
06/08/2015 at 14:04

Well yeah, that’s the long term goal of my wife and I . We both want to get out, and I only have grumble:28 more years:grumble till I retire. Ideally I’d go to North Carolina or Southern Virginia myself. If I never have to see another snow shovel or rake I'd be a happy person.

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > Stapleface-Now Hyphenated!
06/09/2015 at 09:39

I’d recommend going further south than that then.

My parents had the same plan for NC and realized they still get snow.

They live on the mainland near Hilton Head Island SC. that low on SC rarely is effected by hurricanes and they’ve gotten snow flurries once since they moved there in the fall of 2007. The most that stuck during those flurries was a dusting that was all gone without the use of shovels (not that anyone has them anyhow). Pool stays open year round, and I went swimming there on Christmas. NC/South VA is not far enough for what you’re looking for. If you’re going to do it- make it ocunt.

Where are you in NJ?

Stapleface-Now Hyphenated! > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner
06/09/2015 at 20:12

Yeah, I’m certainly cool moving farther south than that. I just like the land/scenery out that way. If it were complete;y up to me I’d probably be in the Keys somewhere. But money and those pesky hurricanes suck.

I live in South Jersey, about 20 minutes outside of Philly.

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > Stapleface-Now Hyphenated!
06/10/2015 at 09:18

ahh, south jersey. I grew up in North, right in the center of it.

And you’ll get smacked by hurricanes in NC. Go down by hilton head island and they’re in this little nook that the hurricanes just skip on by.