Top Three Most Common Reasons for Driver’s License Suspension in New Jersey
You probably remember the day you first got your driver’s license. Whether that day was yesterday or 50 years ago, the rite of passage most people look forward to from the time they knew what a car was. So, if you get your license suspended, it may just feel like the worst “time out” of your life. You’ll have trouble getting to and from work and school and the hassle of not being able to drive will impact all areas of your life.
That being said, there are many reasons why a judge in New Jersey may take your license. Be aware that both criminal and municipal convictions can cause you to have your driving privileges suspended or even revoked. The period of time you’ll lose your license depends on the infraction. Here are the common reasons why driver’s licenses are suspended in New Jersey:
Too many points: You were late for work one morning and got caught for speeding. You’ll likely get a ticket that comes with Motor Vehicle Commission Points and a fine. If you do that a few times, you may very well accumulate 12 points on your license. A judge will suspend your driving privileges for having too many moving violations.
Drunk Driving: Make no mistake about it: if you get charged and convicted of DWI/DUI in New Jersey, you will likely be hoofing it or begging for rides for a while. The length of time for a DWI-related license suspension depends on whether this is your first or subsequent offense.
[nl_link id=’510′]Driving with a Suspended License[/nl_link]: In New Jersey, this is a huge “no no.” If a judge suspends your license, and you opt to drive anyway, the suspension time will be increased and you may even get incarcerated!
You may think traffic violations are no big deal. You may even decide to just pay the ticket and move on. After all, it’s a hassle to go to court and wait and wait. Right? Perhaps. However, the other side of that coin is that paying the fine is the equivalent of pleading guilty to the crime you are charged with. Is it worth some of your time to avoid fines and points if possible?
Contact an experienced defense attorney who will fight your charges in an effort to get them downgraded or even dismissed, if possible. This is especially important if the charge will lead to automatic license suspension.
John W. Tumelty has been representing clients in Atlantic and Cape counties in South Jersey for over 35 years. He will be by your side in court and work hard to protect your driving privileges. [nl_link id=’272′]Contact[/nl_link] him today for a free consultation about your case.
