- 1). Familiarize yourself with the law you have been accused of violating. Your ticket should include a number that corresponds to the section of the state law that you have been accused of violating. The exact language of these traffic regulations is available online from the state of New Jersey website and may also be available from your local public library or a local law library.
- 2). Determine whether or not you feel this accusation is justified. If after reading the text of the law, you feel that you have not violated the law, then you will want to fight the ticket in court. If, after reading the law, however, you may realize that you have violated the law. In this case, you would not be advised to fight the ticket, but you can still take steps to reduce the amount of money you will have to pay.
- 3). Reduce the amount of money you will have to pay on a moving violation by paying a surcharge to the court to prevent the accumulation of points on your driver's license. To do so you will need to attend your appointed court date. Sign in on the regular sign-in sheet as well as the sign-in sheet that allows you to speak with the prosecutor. When you speak with the prosecutor, tell him that you would like the option of paying a court surcharge to avoid having points added to your license. This means that you will have to pay court fees, the cost of the ticket and the surcharge, which is presently set at $250. A surcharge arrangement must be approved by a judge. A judge may decline a surcharge arrangement if you have a history of moving violations.
- 4). Fight your ticket if you feel the charge was unjustified by developing your case. Use the language of the law to form your argument, which should specifically explain why you feel the moving violation was in error. For example, if you were accused of not stopping at a stop sign your argument could be that the sign was obscured or that you stopped further back from the stop sign, and the officer who issued the ticket could not see this from where he was parked. In both cases, a picture of the stop sign and a picture taken from the location of the police officer will help your argument. If you can prove to the court's satisfaction that you complied with the law, the charges will be dismissed. Avoid emotional defenses or claims that you didn't know the law, didn't harm anyone or that you were unfairly targeted by the ticketing officer.
- 5). Hire an attorney. If you feel your moving violation was received in error, and if the violation and the subsequent increase in insurance rates will have detrimental effect, you may wish to pay an attorney to handle your case for you. Attorneys are familiar with the law and have experience in putting together a strong defense.
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