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North Jersey Municipal Court Lawyer

Essex County Criminal Defense Attorney Defends Clients against Traffic Citations, DWI Charges, and Disorderly Persons Offenses in North Jersey Municipal Courts

When you or a loved one are charged with a disorderly persons offense in North Jersey, you may decide to handle what you consider to be a “simple matter” on your own without the assistance of experienced legal representation. However, you have the right to have an attorney when facing disorderly persons or petty disorderly persons charges in the municipal courts of Essex County, Union County, Morris County, Middlesex County, Bergen County, and Somerset County. You can depend on the legal assistance of Zegas Law to put yourself in the best position to achieve the most favorable outcome possible in your case.

In New Jersey, most traffic violations and minor non-violent offenses are handled in municipal court. If you are charged with a disorderly persons offense or petty disorderly persons offense, you will have to appear in the municipal court of the town or city where you were ticketed or arrested. 

Our founding attorney, criminal defense attorney Alan L. Zegas, has built a reputation helping the people of North Jersey face disorderly persons offenses in municipal court. Mr. Zegas has consistently received the highest AV rating from the Martindale-Hubbell peer review rating system, in addition to being named one of the top 10 criminal defense attorneys in North Jersey by Digital Press International. Zegas Law has also been included in the top rankings of law firms for criminal law. We have also been named among the “SuperLawyers” of New Jersey.

Regardless of whatever offense you have been accused of, you can rest assured that the North Jersey municipal court lawyers of Zegas Law will provide you with the personal attention and dedicated service that you deserve and need. We will do whatever it takes to put together the best possible defense strategy. We will ensure that you understand all your rights and options when facing disorderly persons offenses in municipal court so that you can make an informed decision. When possible, we will fight to help you get into one of our state’s diversionary programs so that you can avoid conviction and the negative consequences that can follow.

If you or a loved one have been charged with a disorderly persons offense in the municipal courts of North Jersey, contact criminal defense attorney Alan L. Zegas and his firm Zegas Law today to schedule a fully confidential consultation to learn more about your legal rights and options and how our firm can help you.

Examples of New Jersey Disorderly Persons Offenses

Lewdness: NJ Rev Stat s. 2C:14-4

Damage or removal of traffic signs and signals: NJ Rev Stat s. 2C:17-3.1

Causing pecuniary loss of $500 or less: NJ Rev Stat s. 2C:18-6

Disorderly conduct: NJ Rev Stat s. 2C:33-2

Loitering to Obtain Controlled Dangerous Substance: NJ Rev Stat s. 2C:33-2.1

Disrupting a Funeral: NJ Rev Stat s. 2C:33-8.1

Unlawful Seizure of Possession of Real Property: NJ Rev Stat s. 2C:33-11.1

Sale of Cigarettes to Persons under 19: NJ Rev Stat s. 2C:33-13.1

Use of or possession with intent to use controlled dangerous substances: NJ Rev Stat s. 2C:36-2

Shoplifting: NJ Rev Stat s. 2C:20-11

Resisting Arrest: NJ Rev Stat s. 2C:29-2

Criminal Mischief: NJ Rev Stat s. 2C:17-3

Trespassing: NJ Rev Stat s. 2C:18-3

Harassment: NJ Rev Stat s. 2C:33-4

Obstruction: NJ Rev Stat s. 2C:29-1

Hindering Apprehension: NJ Rev Stat s. 2C:29-3

Possession of a Hypodermic Needle or Syringe: NJ Rev Stat s. 2C:36-6

Prostitution: NJ Rev Stat s. 2C:34-1

Important New Jersey Traffic Statutes

NJ Rev Stat s. 39:3-4 – Requirement to register motor vehicles

NJ Rev Stat s. 39:3-10 – Requirement to obtain driver’s license to operate motor vehicles on public roads

NJ Rev Stat s. 39:3-10.18 – Requirement to obtain commercial driver’s license to operate commercial vehicles

NJ Rev Stat s. 39:3-29 – Requirement to have license, registration, and insurance card in possession and exhibit upon request

NJ Rev Stat s. 39:3-38 – Prohibition on use of forged or counterfeit registration plates

NJ Rev Stat s. 39:3-40 – Penalties for driving with suspended license

NJ Rev Stat s. 39:3-44 – Prohibition on operation of unsafe or improperly equipped motor vehicle

NJ Rev Stat s. 39:3-47 – Requirement to have headlights and taillamps, and to use lighted lamps when required

NJ Rev Stat s. 39:3-67 – Requirement to have brakes functional to stop and hold vehicle in all situations

NJ Rev Stat s. 39:3-69 – Requirement to have functional horn or other audible warning device

NJ Rev Stat s. 39:3-76.2f – Seat belts required for all vehicle occupants

NJ Rev Stat s. 39:4-35 – Pedestrians’ right of way

NJ Rev Stat s. 39:4-48 – Requirement to obtain owner’s consent to use vehicle

NJ Rev Stat s. 39:4-49.1 – Prohibition on driving with drugs in vehicle

NJ Rev Stat s. 39:4-50 – Prohibition driving under the influence

NJ Rev Stat s. 39:4-50.2 – Implied consent to breath testing

NJ Rev Stat s. 39:4-51a – Prohibition on consumption of alcohol in vehicle

NJ Rev Stat s. 39:4-57 – Prohibition on failure to comply with police officer’s directions

NJ Rev Stat s. 39:4-82 – Requirement to keep to right on highway

NJ Rev Stat s. 39:4-85 – Prohibition on improper passing on highway

NJ Rev Stat s. 39:4-89 = Prohibition on following closely

NJ Rev Stat s. 39:4-90 – Requirement to yield right of way at intersections

NJ Rev Stat s. 39:4-92 – Requirement to yield right of way and clearance for emergency vehicles

NJ Rev Stat s. 39:4-96 – Prohibition on reckless driving

  • A person who drives a vehicle heedlessly, in a willful or wanton disregard of the rights of safety of others in a manner so as to endanger or likely to endanger person or property.

NJ Rev Stat s. 39:4-97 – Prohibition on careless driving

  • A person who drives carelessly or without due caution and circumspection in a manner so as to endanger or likely to endanger person or property.

NJ Rev Stat s. 39:4-98 – Prohibition on speeding

NJ Rev Stat s. 39:4-126 – Requirement to signal turns

NJ Rev Stat s. 39:4-128.1 – Prohibition on passing stopped school bus

NJ Rev Stat s. 39:4-129 Prohibition on leaving the scene of an accident

NJ Rev Stat s. 39:4-135 Parallel parking requirements

  • Parallel with edge of the curb.
  • Facing in the direction of traffic.
  • Within 6 inches of the curb.

NJ Rev Stat s. 39:4-138 Parking Prohibitions

  • Within an intersection
  • On a crosswalk
  • Between a safety zone and adjacent curb
  • In front of a driveway
  • Within 25 feet of an intersecting road or crosswalk
  • On a sidewalk
  • In a No Parking area
  • Tithing 50 feet of a stop sign
  • Within 10 feet of a fire hydrant
  • Within 50 feet of a rail crossing
  • Within 25 feet of a driveway to a fire station
  • Alongside a street excavation
  • On the roadway side of any stopped vehicle
  • Upon any bridge or elevated roadway
  • In a handicapped spot (without handicap placard)

39:5-35 Requirement to surrender suspended driver’s license

39:6B-2 Penalties for operating uninsured vehicle

New Jersey Point Schedule for Traffic Violations

Two-Point Offenses:

  • Moving against traffic on highway
  • Unlawful use of highway median strip
  • Operating motorized bicycle on restricted highway
  • Carrying passengers on motorized bicycle
  • Failure to yield to pedestrian in crosswalk
  • Passing vehicle yielding to pedestrian in crosswalk
  • Speeding through safety zone
  • Improper action or omission on grades or curves
  • Failure to follow officer’s direction
  • Failure to stop vehicle before crossing sidewalk
  • Failure to yield while entering or leaving highway
  • Driving on public or private property to avoid traffic sign or signal
  • Operating motor vehicle on sidewalk
  • Failure to observe traffic signals (no points for red light camera violation
  • Failure to keep right
  • Driving wrong way on one-way street
  • Failure to yield to overtaking vehicle
  • Failure to observe traffic lanes
  • Failure to yield at intersection
  • Failure to use designated entrances of limited access highways
  • Failure to yield to emergency vehicle
  • Careless driving
  • Destruction of agricultural or recreational property
  • Slow speed blocking traffic
  • Exceeding speed limit by 1 to 14 mph
  • Failure to stop for traffic light
  • Failure to stop at flashing red light
  • Failure to stop for police whistle
  • Failure to give proper signal
  • Improper backing or turning in street
  • Improper crossing of railroad crossing
  • Improper crossing of bridge
  • Leaving scene of accident (no injury)
  • Failure to observe stop or yield signs

Three-Point Offenses:

  • Operating construction vehicle in excess of 45 mph
  • Improper turn at traffic light
  • Improper left or right turn
  • Improper turn from approved turning course
  • Improper U-turn

Four-Point Offenses: 

  • Improper passing on right or off roadway
  • Improper passing in no-passing zone
  • Driving in unsafe manner (points assessed following third or subsequent conviction within five years of most recent conviction)
  • Exceeding speed limit by 15 to 29 mph
  • Improper passing of frozen dessert truck

Five-Point Offenses: 

  • Racing on highway
  • Failure to pass to right of vehicle proceeding in opposite direction
  • Tailgating
  • Reckless driving
  • Exceeding speed limit by 30 mph or more
  • Improper passing of school bus

Eight-Point Offenses: 

  • Leaving the scene of an accident where personal injury occurred

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