New Jersey Traffic Ticket Lawyer

Named Attorneys on Every Case. No Handoffs, No Associates.

Traffic offenses happen to careful drivers every day across New Jersey. Some citations are straightforward; others carry consequences that follow a driver for years. At Roberts & Teeter, LLC, we recommend consulting a traffic ticket lawyer before responding to any significant interaction with law enforcement or traffic court. Michael Roberts and Matthew Teeter personally handle every traffic case we take, from the initial review through final resolution. Call us to schedule a free consultation.

Traffic Violations We Defend in New Jersey

Our attorneys defend clients against the full range of New Jersey traffic offenses, including:

• Failure to stop at a stop sign or yield right-of-way sign
• Cell phone ticket
• Driving while the license is suspended
• Leaving the scene of an accident
• Failure to exhibit documents
• Failure to use a turn signal
• Failure to report an accident
• Failure to inspect the vehicle
• Failure to observe the signal
• Failure to wear a seatbelt
• Failure to make repairs
• Obstruction of traffic
• Unclear license plates
• Unregistered vehicle
• Racing on a highway
• Unlicensed driver
• Improper passing
• Careless driving
• Reckless driving
• Unsafe driving
• Speeding

What a New Jersey Traffic Ticket Really Costs

Many drivers pay a ticket and move on, not realizing the conviction follows them long after the fine clears. The New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC) assigns points for most moving violations, and those points compound quickly. Accumulating six or more points within three years triggers annual surcharges under the New Jersey Surcharge Violation System (NJSVS). Reach twelve or more points and the MVC suspends your license automatically.

Point Values for Common Violations

Points accumulate faster than most drivers expect. A single serious violation can push a record past the surcharge threshold on its own.

• Leaving the scene of an accident with personal injury: 8 points
• Reckless driving or racing on a highway: 5 points each
• Speeding 30 mph or more over the limit: 5 points
• Improper passing: 4 points
• Speeding 15–29 mph over the limit: 4 points
• Careless driving or speeding 1–14 mph over the limit: 2 points each

Surcharges, Insurance, & Employment Risk

Once you cross the six-point threshold, the NJSVS begins billing you annually. Under New Jersey law, surcharge rates include $150 per year plus $25 for each additional point above six for drivers who accumulate six or more points within three years; $250 per year for driving with a suspended license; $250 per year for operating without liability insurance; and $100 per year for an unlicensed driver or expired license conviction. Each surcharge runs for three years, so the total exposure can reach hundreds or thousands of dollars on top of the original fine. Failing to pay surcharges triggers additional suspension, and unpaid balances can escalate to a Superior Court judgment and collection action.

Insurance carriers independently review driving records and may raise premiums after moving violations, sometimes substantially. Drivers with commercial driver’s licenses (CDLs) face an additional layer of risk: serious violations can result in CDL disqualification, and major violations, such as DUI or leaving the scene, can lead to disqualification for a year or longer, affecting employment that depends on a clean record. Three license suspensions within three years can also result in classification as a habitual offender, which carries enhanced penalties. Pleading guilty without counsel can cost more than the ticket itself.

Municipal Courts in Woodbridge Township & Middlesex County

In New Jersey, traffic violations are heard in the municipal court of the municipality where the offense occurred. For drivers cited within Woodbridge Township, that means Woodbridge Township Municipal Court. Middlesex County roadways, including Route 1 and the New Jersey Turnpike, generate a high volume of traffic stops and citations, and those matters move through local municipal courts on regular enforcement dockets.

Court familiarity matters in this setting. Municipal judges and prosecutors handle a steady volume of traffic cases, and the attorneys across the table from them are a known variable. Michael Roberts and Matthew Teeter are well-versed in New Jersey traffic statutes and the procedural norms of the municipal courts serving Woodbridge Township and Middlesex County. That familiarity shapes how we approach plea negotiations and how we evaluate the strength of the state’s evidence before advising a client on next steps.

How We Build a Defense Against Traffic Charges

Traffic cases in New Jersey municipal court follow the same evidentiary standard as any criminal matter: the prosecution must prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. That standard creates real defense opportunities, even on charges that look routine on paper.

Reviewing the Evidence

We begin every case by reviewing the law enforcement report, any radar or speed-measurement data, officer observations, and witness accounts for vulnerabilities. Common defense grounds include lack of probable cause for the stop, challenges to radar equipment calibration and maintenance records, errors in officer observation, and witness availability or reliability problems.

Negotiating Reductions & Alternative Dispositions

When a charge can’t be dismissed outright, we look at negotiating it down. Unsafe operation carries no points under New Jersey law for most first-time violations, making it a meaningful reduction from a speeding or careless driving conviction. For eligible first-time offenders, Conditional Dismissal, a New Jersey probationary program, can result in the original charge being removed from the record upon successful completion. In many traffic matters, we can also appear in municipal court on a client’s behalf, reducing the burden of missed work and multiple court dates.

We work with a network of private investigators and other experts when the facts of a case call for it. Because our practice is limited exclusively to criminal law, Michael and Matthew bring focused familiarity with New Jersey’s traffic statutes and the procedural landscape of municipal court to every client we represent.

Direct Representation From Experienced Criminal Defense Attorneys

As a boutique firm focused exclusively on criminal law, Roberts & Teeter, LLC treats traffic cases with the same strategic attention we bring to more complex charges. When you hire us, you work directly with Michael Roberts and Matthew Teeter. No associates handle your case, and no paralegal stands in for your attorney in court. We offer free initial consultations and keep you informed at every stage, so you know where your case stands and what options remain.

Call (732) 607-5553 now and set up your free initial consultation to find out how we can help you protect your driving privileges.