Fighting Two Separate Tickets

[the1ceej]

I am a licensed NY State driver and received two tickets in New Jersey: one for going 74 in a 50 mph lane, and the other for changing lanes without signaling. They're my first tickets ever, in 18 years of driving, and do not normally speed. I was extremely distressed at the time. I find it hard to believe I was going that fast but have no way of proving otherwise. Same with the lane change charge.

So is there any chance of getting my fines reduced if I 1) explain why I was so distressed; 2) say it's my first and last ticket; 3) say I plan to attend a defensive driving course? Or is this just a waste of time? Any chance the judge will actually raise my fines just because I'm showing up in court? And finally, is it true that a NJ ticket doesn't show up on my NY license as far as points?

Oh, one more--how often does the ticketing officer not show up for court?

[Mr. Knowitall]

So is there any chance of getting my fines reduced if I 1) explain why I was so distressed; 2) say it's my first and last ticket; 3) say I plan to attend a defensive driving course? Or is this just a waste of time?

Sometimes a court will show some latitude where a driver has an appropriate explanation and show contrition.

Any chance the judge will actually raise my fines just because I'm showing up in court?

If you contest the ticket and are found guilty, the court will likely assess court costs in addition to the fine.

And finally, is it true that a NJ ticket doesn't show up on my NY license as far as points?

The New York DMV expresses, "Except for Ontario and Quebec, points are not added to your NYS driver record if you commit an out-of-state traffic violation. Points can appear on your NYS driver record if you commit a traffic violation in Ontario or Quebec."

Oh, one more--how often does the ticketing officer not show up for court?

Much more often than not; the odds of appearance go down if you successfully get an adjournment, but even then the officer may well appear.