Legal Question in Traffic Law in New Jersey

failure to observe signal

I visited Morristown, N.J.from Pa.I was there to join my relatives in the Lubavitch community for Rosh Hashanah one Sept.night. I was late, but driving slowly. Looking for street signs in a poorly lit area, I was driving somewhat erratically. As the light signal changed, I observed it at the last minute and stopped. My front wheels were on, and, a little past the first crossing line. I was stopped and questioned about drinking, but I was obviously sober.Officer then proceeded to cite me for failure to observe signal, as if he had to cite me for SOMETHING. This will be my2nd appearance from home- 2 hours away. The 1st time, the policeman was at a homicide investigation and I graciously accepted his non-appearance with the condition that I choose my court date. I was offered no points by DA to whom I mistakenly mentioned that I had gone over the line, but, then retracted and said I was AT the line.A lawyer or court costs are not affordable in my situation and I believe that I was not guilty. I certainly show that I believe in my innocence wholeheartedly. Do I stand a chance if I plead not guilty? How should I handle it? I WON''T be this long-winded .My hearing is in a few days.


Asked on 2/28/09, 4:11 am

1 Answer from Attorneys
Ronald Aronds Law Office of Ronald Aronds, LLC

Re: failure to observe signal

If your wheels were over the line even an inch or two then you are in violation of the law.Yes, the officer probably should not have issued you this summons, but the fact is that he was within his rights to do so. You have the right to take the case to trial, but if you admit that you were even slightly over the stop line then you are going to lose. My advice would be to either just pay the ticket, get a couple of points, and have a relatively small fine or to go to court and accept the plea offer being made to you by the prosecutor. If you would like to discuss this in more detail at no cost to you then call my office on Monday morning.

Sincerely yours,-Ronald Aronds, Esq.-

www.njworkerscompensationlaw.com

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Answered on 2/28/09, 2:00 pm


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