In Freehold, Point Pleasant, and communities across Monmouth County and Ocean County, traffic violations are a common occurrence that can carry serious and lasting consequences. Many drivers assume that a ticket is simply a minor inconvenience, but in New Jersey, even a single violation can result in substantial fines, points on your license, and increased insurance premiums. In certain cases, a conviction can even lead to a suspended license, jeopardizing your ability to work, care for your family, or maintain your independence.
The reality is that traffic violations in Freehold, Point Pleasant, and throughout New Jersey are not to be taken lightly. If you have been cited for speeding, reckless driving, failing to obey traffic signals, or any other traffic offense, the decisions you make immediately after receiving a ticket can significantly affect the outcome of your case. Paying the fine may seem like the simplest solution, but doing so is often equivalent to pleading guilty and accepting all associated penalties without exploring potential defenses.
At Mallon and Tranger, we are committed to helping drivers in Freehold, Point Pleasant, Monmouth County, and Ocean County protect their rights and driving privileges. Our experienced attorneys understand the local courts, the specific challenges of traffic defense, and the strategies that can help you achieve the best possible resolution. Whether your case is being heard in Freehold Municipal Court, Point Pleasant Borough Municipal Court, or another local jurisdiction, we provide the legal representation you need to fight back.
Traffic Violation Cases We Handle
Traffic violations encompass a wide range of offenses under New Jersey law, each with the potential to affect your driving record, insurance rates, and even your ability to maintain employment if your job requires driving. While some offenses may initially appear to be minor infractions, the truth is that any violation can create lasting consequences that ripple through multiple areas of your life. The attorneys at Mallon and Tranger routinely handle traffic cases for clients in Freehold, Point Pleasant, and surrounding communities throughout Monmouth County and Ocean County. Our representation covers, but is not limited to, the following:
- Speeding: This is one of the most common traffic citations in New Jersey and can range from minor infractions for driving only a few miles per hour over the posted limit to serious excessive speeding charges. Excessive speeding can carry steep fines, significant point penalties, and even the possibility of license suspension. In Freehold and Point Pleasant, these tickets are frequently issued in both residential neighborhoods and high-traffic commercial areas.
- Reckless Driving: More serious than careless driving, reckless driving is defined under N.J.S.A. 39:4-96 as operating a motor vehicle with willful or wanton disregard for the safety of persons or property. This offense often involves driving at extremely high speeds, weaving through traffic, or ignoring traffic controls in a way that endangers others. Convictions can result in substantial fines, multiple points on your license, and even potential jail time for severe cases, making it essential to have an experienced defense attorney.
- Failure to Obey Traffic Signals and Signs: This category includes violations such as running red lights, ignoring stop signs, failing to yield to other vehicles or pedestrians, and disregarding posted lane use restrictions. These offenses are frequently ticketed in high-volume traffic zones in Freehold, Point Pleasant, and the surrounding areas, where local police closely monitor intersections and problem spots to prevent accidents.
- Careless Driving: Careless driving is considered a lesser offense than reckless driving, yet it can still lead to points, fines, and insurance increases. It is defined as operating a motor vehicle without due caution or circumspection and in a manner that could endanger people or property. This charge often arises in the aftermath of minor traffic collisions or near-miss situations where unsafe driving behavior was observed.
- Driving Without a License or With a Suspended License: In New Jersey, operating a motor vehicle without proper licensing is a serious offense. Even if your license is only temporarily suspended, getting caught driving can lead to additional penalties, extended suspension periods, and higher fines. Repeat offenses can result in even more severe consequences, including the possibility of jail time.
- Cell Phone or Texting While Driving Violations: Distracted driving has become a major enforcement priority in New Jersey. State law prohibits drivers from using handheld devices while operating a vehicle, and violations can carry substantial fines, court costs, and points. In Freehold, Point Pleasant, and the surrounding counties, police officers are increasingly vigilant about issuing citations for texting or other mobile phone use behind the wheel.
- Failure to Maintain Lane: This violation occurs when a driver drifts out of their designated lane without signaling, creating a potential hazard for other drivers. It is often cited in situations where a vehicle causes another driver to take evasive action to avoid a collision.
- Tailgating or Following Too Closely: Following another vehicle too closely is a common cause of rear-end collisions, especially on heavily traveled New Jersey highways. These citations are particularly common in congested areas of Monmouth County and Ocean County.
- Improper Passing: This includes attempting to pass another vehicle in a prohibited zone, such as a school zone, construction area, or no-passing area marked by double yellow lines. Improper passing is also cited when a driver overtakes another vehicle in a way that creates a dangerous situation for oncoming traffic.
We also represent commercial drivers who face traffic violations that could jeopardize their commercial driver’s license (CDL). For these drivers, the stakes are even higher because a conviction can result in job loss, disqualification from certain types of driving work, and a permanent mark on their professional driving record.
Penalties and Consequences for New Jersey Traffic Violations
The consequences of a traffic violation in Freehold, Point Pleasant, Monmouth County, or Ocean County can vary widely depending on the nature of the offense, the driver’s history, and whether the violation is classified as minor, serious, or criminal. While some people view traffic tickets as little more than an inconvenience, the reality is that the penalties can be substantial, and the long-term effects can be far more costly than the initial fine.
Common penalties include:
- Fines: Financial penalties for traffic violations can range from modest amounts for minor infractions to several hundred dollars for more serious offenses. These fines often increase for repeat offenders, and in some cases, court-imposed surcharges can make the total cost much higher than expected.
- Points on Your License: The New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission uses a point system to track driving behavior. Most moving violations add points to your record, and the more points you accumulate, the more you risk surcharges, suspension, and higher insurance rates. Accumulating 12 or more points can result in an automatic license suspension.
- License Suspension or Revocation: Certain serious offenses, such as reckless driving or accumulating too many points in a short period, can result in losing your driving privileges. Even a short suspension can disrupt your ability to get to work, school, or other important obligations.
- Increased Insurance Premiums: One of the most significant long-term consequences of a traffic violation is the impact on your auto insurance rates. Many drivers in Freehold and Point Pleasant are shocked to find that their premiums spike after just a single ticket. These higher rates can persist for years, costing drivers thousands of dollars in the long run.
- Court Costs and Fees: Beyond the base fine, drivers are often required to pay additional court costs and administrative fees, which can quickly add up. In some cases, mandatory classes or programs, such as driver improvement courses, also carry their own fees.
- Jail Time: While uncommon for minor traffic infractions, jail sentences can be imposed for more serious violations, such as driving while suspended, reckless driving at extremely high speeds, or leaving the scene of an accident. Jail terms for traffic violations are typically short but can still have a major impact on your personal and professional life.
It is important to understand that in New Jersey, points and violations can stay on your record for years, influencing not only your insurance rates but also how future violations are handled. Because the long-term costs of a conviction often far exceed the initial fine, consulting with an attorney to fight or reduce a traffic violation is an investment in both your driving record and your financial stability.
Defenses to New Jersey Traffic Violations
A traffic ticket is not an automatic conviction. With the right legal strategy, it is possible to challenge the allegations and reduce or dismiss the penalties. At Mallon and Tranger, we tailor our defense approach to the specific facts of each case in Freehold, Point Pleasant, and surrounding communities.
Possible defenses include:
- Questioning Radar or Laser Accuracy: Traffic enforcement devices must be properly calibrated and operated according to strict guidelines.
- Disputing the Officer’s Observations: Visibility issues, traffic congestion, or weather conditions can create reasonable doubt about what occurred.
- Challenging the Legality of the Stop: If the officer lacked probable cause or reasonable suspicion, the stop may be invalid.
- Presenting Necessity or Emergency Circumstances: In rare cases, it may be possible to argue that you violated a traffic law to prevent a greater harm.
- Identifying Procedural Errors: Mistakes in the ticket, failure to follow required legal procedures, or missing documentation can weaken the prosecution’s case.
Our attorneys have successfully used these and other strategies to achieve favorable outcomes for clients throughout Monmouth County and Ocean County.
How Traffic Violations Affect Your Driving Record and Insurance
For drivers in Freehold, Point Pleasant, and across New Jersey, the most costly aspect of a traffic violation often isn’t the fine itself; it’s the long-term impact on your driving record and insurance rates.
New Jersey uses a point system where each moving violation adds points to your record. Accumulating 6 or more points within three years can result in surcharges, and 12 or more points can trigger license suspension. Even after points are reduced over time, insurance companies may continue to treat you as a higher-risk driver.
For many residents of Freehold and Point Pleasant who commute daily or rely on their car for work, a suspended license can be devastating. Commercial drivers face even greater stakes, as a single serious violation can cost them their livelihood.
Our goal at Mallon and Tranger is to keep points off your record whenever possible, protect your license, and minimize the financial impact of a ticket.
How Can a Traffic Violation Attorney Help in New Jersey?
Hiring an experienced traffic violation attorney can make a significant difference in the outcome of your case, whether you are facing a minor infraction or a serious offense. Traffic laws in New Jersey can be complex, and without proper representation, you may end up accepting penalties that could have been reduced or avoided entirely.
A skilled attorney can assist you in many ways, including:
- Comprehensive Case Review: A traffic violation lawyer will examine every detail of your case, from the circumstances of the traffic stop to the accuracy of any evidence, such as radar or camera readings. Identifying errors or inconsistencies can form the foundation for a strong defense.
- Evaluating Legal Options: An attorney can explain the potential outcomes of your case and help you decide whether to fight the ticket in court, negotiate a reduced charge, or seek alternative resolutions.
- Negotiating With Prosecutors: Lawyers experienced in traffic defense often work with local prosecutors to reduce charges, minimize penalties, or arrange for non-point violations that will not harm your driving record or insurance rates.
- Representing You in Court: An attorney can appear on your behalf, which may save you from having to attend court personally, particularly for less severe violations. In contested cases, your lawyer will present arguments and evidence to protect your rights.
- Protecting Your Driving Record: By reducing points or avoiding a conviction altogether, an attorney can help prevent license suspension and keep your insurance rates from increasing.
- Local Knowledge and Experience: Attorneys familiar with the courts in Freehold, Point Pleasant, Monmouth County, and Ocean County understand local procedures, judges, and enforcement trends, which can give you an advantage.
- Providing Guidance Throughout the Process: A good traffic violation lawyer ensures you understand each step, your responsibilities, and your options so that you can make informed decisions.
At Mallon and Tranger, we combine these legal strategies with decades of experience serving drivers in Freehold, Point Pleasant, Monmouth County, and Ocean County. Our goal is to protect your license, reduce or eliminate penalties, and help you move forward without the lasting impact of a traffic conviction.
Additional Legal Services
Mallon and Tranger offers more than traffic defense. Our attorneys serve clients in Freehold, Point Pleasant, Monmouth County, and Ocean County in a wide range of legal matters, including:
- DUI defense
- Drug crime defense
- Sex crime defense
- White-collar crime defense
- Police brutality
- Juvenile crimes
- And more
Contact Mallon and Tranger After a New Jersey Traffic Violation
If you have been ticketed for a traffic offense in Freehold, Point Pleasant, Monmouth County, or Ocean County, it is in your best interest to speak with an experienced traffic violation attorney before making any decisions. The penalties for a conviction can extend far beyond the immediate fine, often leading to points on your license, higher insurance premiums, potential license suspension, and even limited employment opportunities. These consequences can impact your life for years.
At Mallon and Tranger, we understand how important your driving privileges are, whether you rely on your vehicle for work, family responsibilities, or day-to-day activities. Our team is committed to protecting your rights, challenging questionable evidence, and pursuing the best possible outcome for your case. We serve clients throughout Freehold, Point Pleasant, and all of Monmouth County and Ocean County.
Call today at (732) 780-0230 or connect with us online to schedule a consultation and let us help you move forward with confidence.
