Speeding (N.J.S.A. 39:4-98) is the leading cause of accidents in New Jersey. Not surprisingly, they are also the most widely issued traffic ticket in the state.
Unless otherwise posted, the speed limit on a given road is 25 miles per hour in a business or residential district and in a school zone; 35 miles per hour in any "suburban" residential or business district; and 55 miles per hour in all other locations. Again, if there is a posted speed limit, it supplants these guidelines.
If you are convicted of speeding in New Jersey, the following penalties apply:
Between 1 and 14 miles per hour: 2 Motor Vehicle and Insurance Points and a fine between $50 and $200 dollars.
Between 15 and 29 miles per hour: 4 Motor Vehicle and Insurance Points and a fine between $50 and $200 dollars.
30 Miles an hour and over: 5 Motor Vehicle and Insurance Points and a fine between $50 and $200 dollars.
Fines are doubled when the violation occurs in a 65 mile per hour zone and you are found to be going at least 75 miles per hour in that zone. Fines are also double in construction areas and in any area where you exceed the speeding limit by 20 miles per hour or over.
A judge may also or the Commissioner of the DMV (MVC) may also suspend your driver's license for speeding if it is found that your actions were "willful." A common example of willful speeding is racing on a public street or highway.
The applicable statute, N.J.S.A. 39:4-98, also mentions jail for not longer than 15 days, although it is obviously extremely unlikely that you will be sent to jail for speeding absent some extraordinary circumstance.
The two most common ways for the State to prove that you were speeding is by 1) radar and 2) "pacing." In order for you to be convicted in a radar case, the State must prove that the device was properly set up and operated by a trained police officer. Speeding is a "strict liability" offense, which means basically means that the reason you were speeding is irrelevant.
Just one speeding ticket can cause your car insurance premium to be increased by thousands of dollars. It is therefore crucial to consult with an attorney experienced in municipal court matters. Such an attorney can usually have your speeding ticket lowered to lesser offense, even a zero point offense.
