Everybody knows that it is wrong to text and drive, or otherwise use a cell phone without hands-free technology while driving, however, many of us are guilty of doing so from time to time. If you are someone who was recently charged with a cell phone violation in New Jersey, there is a very good chance you are worried about the potential consequences of that charge. Please continue reading and speak with our New Jersey traffic violations attorney to learn more about cell phone violations and how we can help you if you have been charged with one. Here are some of the questions you may have:
What happens if I am charged with texting and driving in New Jersey?
Texting and driving, among other cell phone violations, comes with very serious penalties in the state of New Jersey. In the worse cases, you could receive points on your license, which may warrant a license suspension, especially if you have already accumulated points on your license in the past. Additionally, when you accumulate points on your license, you should understand that this may cause your insurance premiums to skyrocket, which, in effect, means that you will be paying for your ticket for months, or even years to come. Some of the penalties for cell phone violations in the state of New Jersey are as follows:
- For a first offense cell phone violation, you will most likely have to pay a $200-$400 fine.
- For a second offense within 10 years, you will most likely have to pay a $400-$600 fine.
- If you are charged with a third or subsequent offense within ten years, you will most likely have to pay a $600-$800 fine, and you may also have 3 points added to your driving record. A third or subsequent offense may even result in a potential 90-day license suspension.
Are there any potential defenses to cell phone violations in New Jersey?
Using a cell phone without hands-free technology while driving is only acceptable if you either believe your safety is in jeopardy due to a potentially criminal act, or if you are trying to report an emergency, such as a fire, road hazard, traffic crash, medical emergency, or a reckless driver. That being said, in other cases, our firm can work to prove that the officer who issued you the ticket did not follow the proper procedure in an effort to have your charges mitigated or dropped.
Contact our experienced Red Bank firm
Our firm proudly represents clients in New Jersey who are faced with matters of family law, criminal defense, business law, real estate law, or estate planning. If you require strong and dedicated representation for any of your legal matters, please do not hesitate to contact The Law Offices of George J. Mardinly to schedule a consultation.