Pulled over after light..

[RyKo732]

I got pulled over while driving along rt 18 last night.

I was at the light for some time when I notice a cop pull up in back of me. The light was still red when he did so, and when it turned green I obviously proceeded with caution and just drove towards my destination. After about 10 seconds he puts on his lights and I followed by putting on my signal and proceeded to pull into a parking lot(I was in the far left lane)

The cop stopped in back of another car in the middle lane and that car stopped as well. I was actually about to leave the parking lot because I figure he was not pulling me over and I was just misunderstanding the situation.

However, they managed to come into the parking lot. One cop comes up to my window and asks if we had any alcohol and I said "Nope, I can take any kind of sobriety test if you would like." He laughs and the other cop said I was doing over 70mph.

First of all I was driving behind 2 other cars way before I came to that light, both were mini vans. They were not doing over 70mph. When I approached the light, it had to be more than 5 cars and the cop pulled up behind me after I was sitting at the light for a few seconds.

If I was doing something wrong from the start, wouldn't they have pulled me over right away?
I do not understand why these cops would wait for me to pull up to a light, wait for the light to change green, wait for me to drive off, and in the middle of moving traffic decide to pull me over and THEN tell me I was doing over 70mph earlier.

My court date is in March and more than likely I will be representing myself. I am a full time college student and like most people I can not afford points on my licenses because of insurance peaks, especially in jersey.

Is their any advice on how to handle this situation.

[Lester]

You didn't mention excactly what were you given a ticket for. As for the cop not pulling you over right away, this is not unusual because they run your plate first to make sure you have no warrants outstanding.

[RyKo732]

Sorry about that, the ticket was for doing 70 in a 45.

[Lester]

Do you have any points on your license now?

[RyKo732]

Nope. No points..

However, maybe 2-3 years ago, a cop tried to tell me I was doing 80 at some turn in Lyncroft. I made it clear that it was impossible for my car to reach that kind of speed at the given distance and type of road I was on. My trunk had a ton of stuff in it and I was right in back of someone else.

When he found out I was an automotive student he then said ok ill just give you a ticket for, i think it was 55 in 45. He even wrote the ticket for the wrong day, Saturday, being it was my first ticket ever, I didnt know their is no court on the weekends.

But I had to go for the no points deal and paid around $500.00 after all the surchargers and what not.

So i am not sure if this will come up or be shown again.

[Lester]

Well, you basically have a 4 point ticket because you were going between 15-29 mph over the speed limit. I would suggest that you plead not guilty and go to court early so you can meet with the prosecutor. Speak with him and tell him you have a clean record and you are a student and this whole thing is a tremendous burden on you. Tell him you are willing to plead guilty to going 1-14 mph over the limiit (a 2 point offense) and most likely he will agree to it. In fact, if you are polite and respectful it would be highly unusual that the prosecutor would not agree to a deal like this. Now a 2 point offense is also very unlikely to affect your insurance rates. Most insurance companies do not jack up your rates unless you have accumulated 7 points or more on your license. One year of a clean driving record will erase those 2 points.

[RyKo732]

Yea a lot of people are telling me to just go early and talk to the prosecutor. I will be sure to let the prosecutor know about my school work. Im hoping I can get it reduced to 1 point, But I know that is "almost" impossible. Do you think it would help to bring my school schedule with me?

On a good note, the court date is not till March, so I have ample time to prepare. its at 6:00 PM** So I DO have good time to go and talk to the prosecutor.

Thanks for all the useful information, I really appreciate it. BTW the court house is in East Brunswick.

[RyKo732]

Just wondering...

If I get the ticket lowered down to a 2 point offense from the prosecutor, then plea for the NO point..will I be having to pay for a 2 point offense or 4 point?

[Lester]

Whatever offense you plead guilty to will determine the fine. It does not matter what the original charge was for.

[RyKo732]

Ok so if the prosecutor tells me to say 2 points and then when i face the judge and plea for the no points..i will have to pay for the no points on the 2 point charge? or the entire 4 point chrage

[Lester]

It doesn't work like that. If you work out a deal with the prosecutor to plead guilty to a 2 point violation and then go before the judge you will plead guilty to that 2 point offense and not something different.

[RyKo732]

Damn. My father was telling me it will definitely raise prices on insurance. I will try my best to get this lowered down below the 2 points. Who knows, hopefully things come through.

[RyKo732]

Well went to court, had to pay 205.00 in court fees. Got ticket reduced to 2 points.

Prosecutor didn't give a shit about what I had to say. He told the people before me that had a 5 point ticket that he could take off 3 points at most. But for me he didn't even listen to a word I had to say.

The judge also waived surcharges and other fees for certain people, it seemed pretty random. But of course for me I did not get so lucky.

Its amazing though how some people get off of cases that have lawyers. Just amazing. The charges were unbelievable. But I guess that is jersey for you.

[Lester]

Getting your ticket reduced to 2 points was a reasonable deal. You did ok.

[RyKo732]

I really don't think any full time student that does not drink/smoke, does community service, has donated tons of time/money to charities, and fits the description of what most would say is an admiral person, should have to go through all this bs. But hey its New Jersey.

Im planning on investing into a radar, so I can be extra cautious and planning on going to town meetings or something, so I can hopefully meet some people high ranked within the law. It really is all about who you know.

Thanks again for your help Lester.

[BKM]

It really is all about who you know.


No, it's not about "who you know" it's about who knows you...

I know president Bush, it's just very unfortunate that he doesn't know me...