Union County Traffic Ticket Attorney

Traffic tickets may seem minor, but the consequences can be costly. Depending on the violation and your driving history, you could face substantial fines, points on your license, increased insurance premiums, and even the suspension of your driving privileges. For serious offenses, you may be required to appear in court and face the possibility of jail time.

Do not let a traffic ticket affect your life. Our Union County traffic ticket lawyers understand the local court system and know how to build effective defense strategies that produce results. William Proetta Criminal Law provides aggressive defense for drivers facing traffic violations throughout Union County.

What You Need to Know About Traffic Violations in Union County, NJ

Union County has some of the highest traffic enforcement volumes in New Jersey, with officers issuing 118,794 tickets in a recent year. Union had the sixth-highest annual county total of tickets issued.

Traffic violations in Union County are handled in the municipal courts where the ticket was issued. Each municipality in Union County has its own municipal court that handles traffic violations, including Elizabeth, Union Township, Plainfield, Linden, Rahway, and others. The municipal courts handle everything from simple speeding tickets to complex DWI cases.

The penalties for traffic violations in New Jersey can be substantial. Beyond fines that can range from $50 to thousands of dollars, many traffic offenses carry demerit points that are added to your driving record through the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission. Accumulating six or more points can trigger surcharges. Twelve or more points result in automatic license suspension.

More serious violations like DWI, reckless driving, or leaving the scene of an accident can result in mandatory license suspensions lasting months or even years, plus potential jail time.

Our Traffic Case Wins

The traffic lawyers in Union County at William Proetta Criminal Law are proud of the results we have secured for past clients. For example:

We successfully defended a client charged with DWI and Refusal after State Police found her on the Garden State Parkway shoulder. By challenging the State’s ability to establish operation of the vehicle and identifying crucial missing discovery, we secured a complete dismissal of all charges, including DWI, Refusal, and Reckless Driving, allowing our client to avoid any license suspension or fines.
In another case, we represented a client charged with Drug DWI after Port Authority Police stopped him returning from New York City. He faced a 7-12 month license suspension for the drug DUI, plus a 1-2 year suspension for the school zone enhancement, and an additional 2-year suspension for CDS in a motor vehicle. After challenging the stop, search, seizure, and testing procedures, we secured dismissal of the drug DUI, school zone DWI, and CDS charges. Our client avoided any license suspension.
We also defended a client charged with leaving the scene of an accident following an alleged road rage incident on the Turnpike. Our client maintained his innocence, and after appearing multiple times in court and setting the matter for trial, we successfully argued for dismissal based on lack of prosecution because the State was missing key evidence. Our client walked out of court without admitting guilt or paying any fines.

Traffic Tickets We Defend in Union County

Our traffic ticket defense lawyers in Union County handle a comprehensive range of traffic violations. We provide aggressive legal defense for violations such as:

Speeding– Whether you were charged with exceeding posted speed limits or driving too fast for conditions, our attorneys challenge radar readings, calibration records, and officer observations.
Reckless driving – This serious charge involves willfully or recklessly endangering others and carries five points on your license.
Careless driving – A step below reckless driving, this violation can still result in two points and significant fines.
DWI/DUI – Driving while intoxicated is one of the most serious traffic offenses, with mandatory license suspensions, ignition interlock requirements, and potential jail time.
Driving with a suspended license – Operating a motor vehicle while your license is suspended compounds your problems and can result in extended suspensions and criminal charges.
Failure to observe traffic signals – Running red lights or stop signs carries two points and substantial fines.
Improper passing – Unsafe passing maneuvers result in four points on your license.
Leaving the scene of an accident – Also known as hit and run, this offense carries eight points and potential criminal prosecution.
Racing on a highway – Street racing carries five points and other serious legal consequences.
Improper passing of a school bus – This dangerous violation results in five points on your license.
Tailgating – Following too closely carries five points and demonstrates dangerous driving behavior.
Driving without insurance – Operating an uninsured vehicle results in substantial fines, surcharges, and license suspension.

Potential Defense Strategies in Union County Traffic Violation Cases

Our experienced Union County traffic lawyers know that every case requires a customized defense strategy. Some examples of potential defense approaches include:

Challenging the traffic stop – If police lacked reasonable suspicion or probable cause to stop your vehicle, any evidence obtained may be suppressed, leading to case dismissal.
Disputing Alcotest results – In DWI cases, we challenge the calibration, maintenance records, and operator certification of the breathalyzer machine. We often bring in expert witnesses to dispute the reliability of breath test results.
Questioning radar and laser accuracy – Speed detection devices must be properly calibrated and maintained. We can obtain calibration records and challenge the operator’s training and the device’s accuracy.
Examining officer credibility – We scrutinize police reports for inconsistencies, challenge officer observations, and cross-examine officers about their procedures.
Challenging evidence collection – Evidence must be collected and preserved in accordance with strict protocols. Violations of these procedures can result in the suppression of evidence.
Asserting Miranda rights violations – If police obtained statements without proper Miranda warnings, those statements may be inadmissible.
Proving lack of operation – In some cases, we can argue the prosecution cannot prove you were actually operating the vehicle at the time of the alleged violation.

Why You Need Our Union County Traffic Ticket Attorney

Some people consider simply paying their traffic ticket and moving on. That is a serious mistake. Paying the ticket is the same as pleading guilty, and a guilty plea results in points on your license, increased insurance premiums, and potential license suspension. The long-term costs of a conviction far exceed the initial fine.

William Proetta Criminal Law provides comprehensive representation, including examining every aspect of your case, from the initial stop to the evidence collection, looking for weaknesses in the prosecution’s case. We appear in court on your behalf, saving you time and the stress of navigating the legal system alone.

Our relationships with Union County prosecutors allow us to negotiate favorable plea agreements when appropriate, often securing reduced charges with fewer points or lower fines. When negotiation is not in your best interests, we are prepared to take your case to trial and fight for an acquittal.

We work to keep violations off your record or minimize their impact, protecting your driving privileges and your insurance rates. For complex cases involving breath tests, accident reconstruction, or medical issues, we bring in qualified experts to challenge the State’s evidence.

Our Union County criminal defense firm has defended thousands of traffic cases and knows how to navigate the local court systems throughout Union County.

Do not let a traffic ticket cost you your license, your livelihood, or your future. Contact William Proetta Criminal Law today for a free consultation.