New Jersey Traffic Ticket Results in License Suspension

With the accessibility of information on the Internet, many defendant’s charged with traffic offenses search for the fines and penalties associated with a particular offense. However, the title 39 statute that penalizes the conduct you were issued a ticket for may not mention the most important penalty; the possibility of court imposed license suspension. N.J.S.A. 39:4-51 gives NJ judges the ability to suspend for willful violations of any offense contained in Subtitle 1 of Title 39, even though the penalties for the underlying motor vehicle offense may not explicitly authorize it.

In a recent Appellate Division decision, the Court upheld the constitutionality of the statute. In deciding whether to suspend, the judge will take into account a series of mitigating and aggravating factors.

Typically speaking, a defendant charged with a motor vehicle offense will not be facing a suspension, but this decision underscores the importance of understanding the law. If you have been issued a traffic ticket -summons. Contact an experienced NJ traffic ticket lawyer to educate yourself on the charge you face. Do not be caught off guard.