Fight Traffic Tickets with Cohen & Bernstein
Did you get a traffic ticket in Clifton, New Jersey, and need help fighting it? The experienced Clifton traffic ticket lawyers at Cohen & Bernstein, LLC, are licensed in New Jersey and New York, and we have substantial experience assisting clients with getting the best possible outcomes for their traffic tickets in Clifton and the surrounding areas.
We will work closely with you, answering all your questions and helping you navigate the process to resolve your legal matters effectively. Our attorneys are dedicated to ensuring that you receive the personalized attention and assertive advocacy you deserve to tackle whatever legal issue you encounter.
In addition to traffic tickets, our attorneys handle other legal areas, such as municipal court matters, expungements, name changes, and wills. We will never pass your case off to an inexperienced paralegal or unqualified secretary. Our lawyers will be there by your side every step of the way.
Dealing with traffic violations can be overwhelming, but having a seasoned Clifton traffic tickets attorney on your side can make all the difference. Contact Cohen & Bernstein, LLC, today for a confidential consultation to learn how we can help.
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Tips From Attorney Lindsay Bernstein, Esq.
Some people believe that a traffic ticket is no big deal. This is a mistake. Besides the most common concern of a large fine and points on your license, traffic tickets can also carry many more serious consequences such as suspension of driving privileges, exorbitant insurance increases, and even the possibility of jail.
Perhaps you feel the ticket was unwarranted and want to fight it. Maybe you got a valid ticket and you’re looking to have the charges or fines reduced.
Whatever your case, you don’t want to try to handle the situation on your own. You need a qualified legal professional on your side who understands traffic laws and court procedures to improve your odds of obtaining the favorable results you seek.
Types of Traffic Tickets We Can Assist With
The Clifton traffic ticket lawyers at Cohen & Bernstein, LLC, handle all types of traffic violation citations, including:
- Speeding
- Reckless driving
- Failure to yield
- Failure to stop at a stop sign or red light
- Leaving the scene of an accident
- Not yielding to pedestrians at a crosswalk
- Texting while driving
- DWI
- Driving with a suspended license
No matter the traffic citation you received, you can count on our Clifton traffic ticket lawyers to fully inform you of your rights and fight for you to increase your chances of getting a successful resolution.
Practice Areas
Cohen & Bernstein, LLC, handles other legal areas besides Clifton traffic tickets. At our law firm, you will find dedicated professionals with experience in a variety of practice areas, including:
Dealing With Traffic Tickets in NJ and NY
The options you have for dealing with your traffic citation depend on the jurisdiction where the traffic violation occurred.
New Jersey
In Clifton, New Jersey, and throughout the state, plea bargaining for a reduced charge is permitted. This can sometimes carry a higher fine but a greater financial gain in the long term by avoiding costly increases in insurance premiums or points on your record.
You need an experienced New Jersey traffic violations attorney to negotiate with the prosecution or to represent you in court if they refuse to offer a fair plea bargain.
Inside New York City
Within the five boroughs of New York City (Manhattan, Queens, Brooklyn, Bronx, and Staten Island), plea bargaining is not permitted. Trials/hearings are held at Traffic Violations Bureaus (TVBs) in each borough.
You have the right to be represented by legal counsel, and you won’t be required to appear in court if you have an attorney representing you. The judge makes a ruling of either guilty or not guilty. You then have 30 days to appeal that conviction in writing.
Outside New York City (Nassau County, Suffolk County, and Upstate NY)
In a non-TVB case outside NYC’s five boroughs, bargaining is permitted. You are not forced to have a trial. A plea negotiation is generally entered with the prosecutor for a reduced fine and charges.
It’s important to have an attorney with experience in New York’s traffic laws to negotiate with the prosecution or represent you in court.
The Costs of a New Jersey Traffic Ticket
Y0u may wonder why you should hire a traffic ticket lawyer to help you with your New Jersey traffic ticket. After all, why pay a lawyer when all you’re facing is a fine that’s not as much as the lawyer’s fees anyway?
While that type of thinking is understandable, it is also short-sighted. You could face far more costs associated with your traffic ticket than just the initial fine.
Unlike many other states, a traffic violation in New Jersey stays on your driving record forever. This means your insurance rates will increase for the remainder of your life. If you face more serious charges, you need an attorney to protect your driving privileges and maybe even keep you out of jail.
Fines in New Jersey for certain violations, such as unsafe lane change, improper passing, and failure to observe a traffic signal, can have fines up to $200.
Speeding fines can be as much as $260 or even more if you were speeding in a construction zone or school zone. Reckless driving fines can be as high as $500, as can driving with a suspended license. If your charge involves DWI/DUI, you could pay up to $1,000 in fines, and leaving the scene of an accident violation carries fines up to $15,000.
Insurance Rate Increases
With any traffic violation in New Jersey, your auto insurance rates will undoubtedly increase. How much your rates go up depends on the nature of the violation and other factors.
Consider the following:
- A speeding ticket could raise your rates as much as 50% or more, depending on how fast you were going over the speed limit.
- Violations such as texting while driving, tailgating, improper turning, and careless driving could increase your rates by 20% or more.
- DWI/DUI violations could increase your insurance rates by more than $130%.
Various factors affect how much your insurance rates will increase, including the amount of your yearly premium, your insurance provider, and more. Still, with auto insurance rates in New Jersey being among the most expensive in the nation, you want to do all you can to avoid rate increases that will continue for life.
Surcharges
In addition to fines and insurance rate increases, you must also consider surcharges if you get a traffic ticket in New Jersey. Drivers who accrue six points on their licenses over three years in New Jersey must pay a surcharge on top of their fines for an associated traffic violation.
Some violations that have automatic surcharges include:
- Driving with a suspended license = $250
- Unlicensed or driving with an expired license = $100
- Driving an uninsured vehicle = $250
- DWI (1st and 2nd offense) or refusing to take a blood alcohol content (BAC) test = $1,000
- Third DWI within three years of previous offense = $1,500
You could also receive a $100 surcharge for failing to insure a moped. Additionally, you may incur surcharges of $150 plus $25 for each point over six on your license.
Keep in mind that if you accrue 12 or more points on your driver’s license in New Jersey, the state could suspend your license or even revoke it altogether. Reinstating a suspended or revoked driver’s license is challenging, complex, and expensive, so it’s best to fight the citation upfront to avoid additional points on your license.
How Our Attorneys Can Help Defending a Clifton, NJ, Traffic Ticket
Defending a Clifton traffic ticket involves understanding the specific details of your case and employing various legal strategies. Our attorneys will begin by reviewing your ticket and making note of all the details, including the location, date, time, and nature of the violation.
We will explain the specific traffic law or regulations you are accused of violating, and work with you to gather any evidence you may have that could support your defense. This might include photographs, witness statements, or other relevant documents.
Next, we will examine the evidence against you. This could include the officer’s notes, witness statements, or any photographic or video evidence. We will try to identify any weaknesses or discrepancies in the evidence.
If grounds exist to challenge the validity of the traffic stop, such as a lack of probable cause, we may use this as part of your defense. If the ticket is related to speed or other technical measurements, we can challenge the accuracy of the equipment the officer used and obtain any calibration records and maintenance logs that may be relevant.
Keep in mind that law enforcement officers in New Jersey must follow proper procedures when initiating a traffic stop, and there are additional rules and procedures governing searching a vehicle and its occupants. If the officer violated any rules or procedures, we could assert the stop was illegal and any evidence obtained should be inadmissible.
If the evidence against you is strong, we can negotiate with the prosecutor to reduce the charge and/or penalties if you agree to plead to a lesser offense. Another viable option could be for you to attend a defensive driving program or traffic school to reduce or eliminate any points on your driving record.
However, if we believe you should fight the charge in court, you can rely on us to be there with you or even represent you in your absence. You can count on us to fully prepare your case and present it clearly and confidently on your behalf.
If the initial court decision is unfavorable, we can discuss with you the possibility of appealing the decision. Keep in mind, though, that appeals are often based on legal errors or procedural issues, not because you simply disagreed with the ruling.
The specifics of your case will determine the most effective defense strategy, and an experienced Clifton traffic ticket attorney from Cohen & Bernstein, LLC, can provide personalized advice and help you navigate the legal process.
Why Choose Cohen & Bernstein, LLC, to Help With Your Clifton Traffic Tickets
Our attorneys have more than 25 years of combined experience in navigating the complexities of New Jersey and New York traffic laws to help you. We know your case is unique, and you can rely on us for customized strategies and solutions tailored to your situation and your needs and goals. If you’re facing a traffic violation in Clifton, NJ, contact Cohen & Bernstein, LLC, right away to request a consultation.
Some ways we can assist with your traffic ticket issues include:
Legal Knowledge
New Jersey traffic laws and regulations can be complex, but our traffic violations attorneys have a deep understanding of local laws and legal procedures. We can help you navigate the legal system more effectively.
Reducing Penalties
A skilled traffic ticket attorney from our law firm may be able to negotiate with the prosecutor to reduce the charges or penalties associated with the traffic violation. This could result in lower fines, fewer points on your driving record, or other favorable outcomes.
Court Representation
If your case goes to court, having an attorney by your side can be invaluable. We can present legal arguments, challenge evidence, and advocate on your behalf, increasing the likelihood you get a positive result.
Avoiding Points on Your Record
Accumulating points on your driving record can lead to increased insurance premiums and, in severe cases, license suspension. An attorney from Cohen & Bernstein, LLC can help you explore options to minimize or eliminate the impact on your driving record.
Time and Convenience
Dealing with a traffic ticket can be time-consuming. Hiring an attorney allows you to delegate the legal tasks to a professional, saving you time & effort. This can be especially beneficial if you have a busy schedule.
Understanding Your Options
Our traffic ticket attorneys can assess your case and inform you about the available options. This may include whether it’s worth contesting the ticket, negotiating a plea deal, or pursuing alternative resolutions.
Meet Our Clifton Traffic Ticket Attorneys
Ronen Cohen, Esq.
FOUNDING PARTNER
Ronen received his undergraduate degree from Rutgers University in 2004 and his Juris Doctorate from Seton Hall Law School in 2007. Mr. Cohen, Esq, has extensive experience navigating through the Court systems in NY and NJ and dealing with all client related issues. He is always keeping up with new changes in the law and court procedure to ensure your case is handled flawlessly.
Lindsay Bernstein, Esq.
FOUNDING PARTNER
Lindsay received her B.A. at Drew University in 2003 and her Juris Doctorate from Syracuse University College of Law in 2006. For the past. 13 years, Ms. Bernstein, Esq. has dedicated herself to the practice of all Municipal Court and Criminal Matters. She prides herself on building strong relationships with each client and providing them with the legal and emotional support to navigate the legal system. Ms. Bernstein handles each facet of the case ensuring all protocol is followed and ensuring the client receives the dedication they deserve.
Contact a Clifton Traffic Ticket Attorney Today
The experienced Clifton traffic ticket lawyers at Cohen & Bernstein, LLC, are here for you. We understand the potential impact a traffic violation can have on your life, and we are fully prepared to do all we can to help you get the favorable results you expect and deserve.
Call us today at (888) 872-2898 or use our online contact form to request a confidential consultation from a highly knowledgeable and aggressive attorney who will fight hard for your rights and privileges.