Saving you from points, fines, and auto insurance hikes.

Hire a NJ Reckless Driving Lawyer to Help You Save Points, Time, and Money.

With winter officially in full swing, reckless driving tickets are being issued much more frequently.

Due to extremely icy road conditions, many drivers are finding themselves slipping and sliding all over the road.

Sometimes this happens because the driver is simply going too fast while other times unseen black ice causes a car to spin out of control.

Unfortunately, these road conditions and hazards can lead to your car careening into another vehicle and causing a serious accident.

Believe it or not, even if a car accident does not result, police officers have been known for issuing reckless driving tickets in situations like this.

Although unfair, for driving below the speed limit and losing control of your car––due to nearly invisible black ice––a police officer can pull you over and issue you a traffic ticket.

If your situation sounds similar to this, be sure to contact an experienced reckless driving lawyer in New Jersey.

He will be able to tell you exactly what you are facing, how much your insurance premium could go up, and how much in out of pocket expenses you stand to pay if convicted.

Most importantly, he can help you fight your reckless driving ticket and save you thousands of dollars while keeping your driving record as clean as possible.

The number one mistake drivers make is trying to handle reckless driving tickets without hiring a reckless driving lawyer.

Instead of paying a few hundred dollars for quality representation, they waltz into court expecting a great deal and leave––hours later––extremely frustrated and annoyed.

Do not let yourself be that guy.

If you recently received a traffic ticket for reckless driving in New Jersey (NJSA 39:4-96), contact Michael Botton of The Botton Law Firm today at 732-894-3686.

New Drunk Driving Bill Could Change Everything if Governor Christie Approves it

A groundbreaking drunk driving bill that passed both the State Assembly and State Senate made its way to Governor Christie’s desk today.

The proposed law would allow most drivers convicted of drunk driving for the first time to reduce their license suspensions from the currently mandated 3-7 months, to just 10 days.

However, in order to do this, the driver would be required to install an ignition interlock device that would prevent him or her from driving under the influence.

As of now, this installation is only required when first-time offenders have an exceptionally high blood alcohol level.

According to State Senator Nicholas Scutari, who also serves as a municipal prosecutor, “I’ve personally prosecuted people who have been suspended for drunk driving and they walked out to their car and drove home.”

The legislation has been promoted by Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD), which said that Oregon, Arizona, Louisiana, and New Mexico saw drunk driving-related fatalities fall by 30% after putting similar laws in place.

MADD revealed that 24 states already require the devices for all offenders.

Although the bill passed by a wide margin, it had opposition.

Dan Phillips, the legislative liaison for the Administrative Office of the Courts, raised several concerns.

For example, Mr. Phillips noted that the bill only requires the device on one vehicle for first offenders, which does nothing to stop them from driving another car drunk.

It would also require judges to, in his words, “go through a long analysis” like those done in criminal trials to determine whether the device should be installed or whether their license should just be suspended.

Offenders would have to pay for their own interlock devices, which costs about $100 per month. Those considered indigent by a court could get it paid for by a fund paid for by other users.

Also, the bill increases penalties for second-time offenders. Instead of the current two-year suspension, judges could order licenses suspended for two to four years.

If you recently got a DUI in New Jersey, contact Michael Botton of The Botton Law Firm today at 732-894-3686.

Hiring a NJ Speeding Ticket Lawyer Can Save You Points, Time, and Money

Speeding is one of the most common traffic violations that drivers get ticketed for.

Unfortunately, most motorists think they can’t do anything about it. After all, they were speeding, right? Wrong.

If you hire a NJ speeding ticket lawyer, he can help you negotiate a favorable plea bargain or sometimes get your NJ speeding ticket dismissed entirely.

Depending on the unique circumstances surrounding your case, a speeding ticket lawyer can help you save hundreds of dollars in fines and costs as well as help you avoid the sting of points on your driving record.

If you try to represent yourself, you might not be offered the best deal possible because prosecutors know you will take whatever you can get.

However, when you hire a NJ speeding ticket lawyer, the prosecutor understands that he or she is dealing with an experienced professional who knows a good deal from a bad deal.

Not only that, if the lawyer is offered a bad deal, he knows how to successfully litigate speeding ticket cases to get them dismissed or––at the very minimum––give the prosecutor a run for his money.

More often than not, this is viewed as a waste of the prosecutor’s time, so he offers a lawyer a much better deal.

This is usually dependent on the experience level of the lawyer, which is why it pays to hire an experienced speeding ticket lawyer and not the cheapest one around.

The following is the point break down for speeding violations in NJ:

• Speeding 1-14 mph over limit –– 2 Points
• Speeding 15-29 mph over limit –– 4 Points
• Speeding 30 mph or more over limit –– 5 Points

Points can add up and lead to a license suspension, and one speeding ticket for going just 21 over can cause your insurance to skyrocket by 46%.

If you recently received a speeding ticket in New Jersey (NJSA 39:4-98), contact Michael Botton and his team of NJ speeding ticket lawyers at The Botton Law Firm today at 732-894-3686.

Belmar, NJ (Photo Source: CRGLiving.com)

Belmar, NJ is a summertime vacation spot for many. People come from all over to visit its beautiful beach and boardwalk.

Tourists usually load up their cars with beers, blankets, and beach chairs and make their way to the shore bright and early to ensure their spot on the sand.

After swimming for a while, going to the bars, and doing some shopping, they saunter back to their cars and begin driving home.

Unfortunately, many motorists end up driving while intoxicated or driving under the influence. Aside from this being dangerous, it can be exceptionally costly in the long run.

DUI is a crime in New Jersey and a conviction will put you in jail, suspend your driver’s license, cost you thousands of dollars in out of pocket expenses, and increase your auto insurance by an astronomical rate.

Make no mistake: getting a DUI in NJ is one of the most serious traffic violations you can get. It is up there with leaving the scene of an accident that caused bodily injury or death.

Many times, people come to Belmar looking to have an enjoyable time. Make sure that your trip ends just as pleasantly as it began.

If you recently got a DUI, be sure to hire a Belmar DUI lawyer to represent you. Doing anything less could lead to serious, long-lasting negative consequences.

Remember, when looking for which Belmar DUI lawyer to choose, be sure to find one who is not only well-versed in DUI law, but also has experience litigating and fighting DUI charges.

Contact Michael Botton of The Botton Law Firm.

His team of DUI lawyers have years of experience fighting to keep you out of jail and getting you the best results possible. Call today at 732-894-3686.

Blizzard of 2015 Hits New Jersey

The biggest snowstorm of the year so far officially hit New Jersey. Several local roads have been blocked off and others are (at this point) impassable.

For a short while, the government was preventing people from traveling on NJ roads completely. However, that ban was quickly lifted when the accumulation became much less than anticipated.

Aside from the fact that schools are cancelled and many places of work are off, people are trying to drive on the snowy roads even though it might not be completely safe to do so.

Many times, when snowstorms strike, people feel cooped up and want to get out. Unfortunately, that sometimes leads to carelessness due to rushing to be anywhere but the house.

Before venturing out, be sure to do at least the following:

1. Clear off the snow from your car very well
2. Be sure you can see out of each of your mirrors
3. Drive slowly (below the speed limit if necessary)
4. Be patient with the roads and other drivers
5. Beware of black ice and spinning out of control

Additionally, when the weather is exceptionally snowy, the risk of getting into a car accident goes up exponentially.

Likewise, the risk of getting a NJ traffic ticket for careless driving or reckless driving will also go up.

Even if the road conditions are the reason you got into an accident or drove in a risky way, that could still be grounds for a police officer pulling you over for reckless driving in NJ.

Depending on whether you intentionally took risks––like darting out and then accidentally skidding out of control––or accidentally engaged in careless conduct will be the primary distinction between the traffic ticket you get.

If you intentional took risks, you can end up with a 5 point ticket for reckless driving. However, if you unintentionally were careless, you could be facing a 2 point ticket for careless driving.

Remember, at the end of the day, be smart. In a blizzard like this, only leave your home if you absolutely need to.

If you do end up getting pulled over in NJ and are issued a traffic ticket, contact Michael Botton of The Botton Law Firm today at 732-894-3686.

Drivers Get Red Light Tickets in Snowy Weather

Be careful! When the roads are snowy, icy, and slushy people tend to be a bit riskier when they drive.

Instead of slowing down at a yellow light, they speed up. Many do that regardless of weather, but others speed up because they fear skidding out of control by stopping too abruptly at the light.

Unfortunately, this routinely leads to running red lights.

Police officers are certainly on the road during stormy weather and even dole out red light tickets in NJ.

It is absolutely vital that you slow down whenever there is an accumulation of snow on the roads and highways.

Aside from the fact that it is slippery and driving too quickly can make your car veer out of control, your conduct will become less excusable in the eyes of a police officer.

The last thing you need in snowy weather is to get pulled over by a police officer, get a traffic ticket for running a red light, and have to deal with the fallout of handling it.

Nevertheless, if you do end up in this situation, make sure to do your homework and find an experienced traffic ticket attorney in NJ to help you beat the ticket.

Make sure he has litigated in the court you will be going to and knows NJ traffic law inside and out.

Remember, handling a ticket on your own can be a nightmare and a tremendous waste of your time, so retaining a NJ traffic ticket attorney can help you save points, time, and money.

If you recently received a red light ticket in New Jersey for disobeying a traffic light (NJSA 39:4-105), contact Michael Botton of The Botton Law Firm today at 732-894-3686.

His team of NJ traffic ticket attorneys have years of experience fighting traffic tickets, negotiating with prosecutors, and reducing traffic violations.

The Cost of a NJ Traffic Lawyer is Becoming a Race to the Bottom

Have you noticed that whenever you get a traffic ticket in New Jersey your mailbox gets flooded with advertisements from numerous traffic ticket attorneys?

Many times our initial reaction is to sort through the mess of advertisements, find the cheapest traffic lawyer, and throw out all the rest.

Unfortunately, this is a big mistake.

Unlike other states that do not allow for this type of solicitation, New Jersey has been known for allowing it.

This creates a race to the bottom. In other words, it becomes a race for NJ traffic lawyers to offer you the lowest price possible in order to get you to hire them regardless of their effectiveness, success rate, or experience.

However, as we explained before, the value of hiring a traffic lawyer is much more important than how much a traffic lawyer costs.

Think about it like this: there are really only two reasons why one traffic lawyer can cost a great deal less than another. Either he is less experienced or he is putting less time into your case.

Not only that, but not all representation is the same. Hiring a traffic lawyer is not like buying an iPhone.

Each attorney that you look into will be different in his or her own way and may implement vastly different legal strategies to get you results.

Some will have years of experience in the municipal court where your case is being heard, and others might have only handled a few cases there.

One of the worst things we have seen is when a driver thinks he is doing the right thing by hiring the cheapest NJ traffic ticket lawyer and ends up paying both the attorney and the court way more than he ought to have.

At the end of the day, most of us would rather an experienced attorney who costs a bit more than paying a bargain but losing the case or getting a bad deal.

Think through your options, make the right choice, and contact Michael Botton of The Botton Law Firm today at 732-894-3686.

Belmar, NJ (Photo Source: www.belmardays.com)

Going to the beach and bars in Belmar, NJ may be a lot of fun, but do not try to drive back home unless you are positive that you are sober.

The threshold blood alcohol content (BAC) level for a DUI in NJ is 0.08%. However, the higher your BAC level, the harsher the penalties you face.

Although you might not think so, having only one or two beers might put your BAC over the legal limit. That means, your BAC could be above the legal limit even though you are not intoxicated.

Drunk driving is extremely serious, and police officers in Belmar are constantly on the lookout for it.

Make sure you leave Belmar in as good a mood as you came there in.

Getting a DUI in Belmar not only will wreck your weekend or vacation, but it could actually put you in jail.

Not only that, but you could also lose your license, shell out way over $1,000 in out of pocket expenses, and DUIs raise auto insurance rates more than any other traffic violation.

If you run into trouble with the law, be sure to consult with an experienced DUI lawyer in Belmar.

Choosing a Belmar DUI lawyer will put you in the best possible position to protect your legal rights.

Since DUI in NJ is so serious, it is ill advised to represent yourself. After all, when so much is at stake, you should hire a professional.

If your recently got a DUI in NJ, contact Michael Botton of The Botton Law Firm today.

Not only is he a DUI lawyer in Belmar, be he has years of experience fighting to keep people like you out of jail and getting you the best results.

Call today at 732-894-3686.

Top 5 Things Never to Say to a Police Officer if You Get Pulled Over

Let’s face it, when most people get pulled over for reckless driving, speeding, or any other traffic violation, they say a whole slew of things that never should have been said.

To help you better understand what to avoid saying when you get pulled over for a traffic violation, we have outlined the top 5 things never to say when you get pulled over.

1 – I’m sorry

For some reason, motorists think that if they apologize to the officer, they will have an easier time or the officer will give them a free pass.

In reality, an officer views an apology as an admission of guilt and might even report on the traffic ticket that you admitted guilt. As a general rule, never apologize or admit anything when you get pulled over.

2 – I think I was speeding

When an officer asks you, “Do you know why I pulled you over?” you should not start hypothesizing. Do not invent possible reasons and then relate those to the officer.

Instead, tell him, “No, officer. I don’t.” This is 100% true because you are not a mind reader.

Even if you suspect that it is for a certain offense, at the end of the day, you truly do not know why you were pulled over until the officer tells you.

Saying anything other than “No” sets you up for a traffic ticket and, possibly, more than one if you admit guilt to something the officer never intended to ticket you for in the first place.

3 – Why don’t you go find the real criminals!?

Having an attitude with a police officer is a guaranteed way of getting a traffic ticket––or worse.

Telling the officer to fight real crime––or telling him how to do his job in any capacity––is never a good idea.

It comes off hostile, highly emotional, and puts the officer immediately on the defense. All of that will certainly not end favorably for a driver.

Err on the side of caution and be as cordial and polite as possible.

4 – I didn’t know

Remember, ignorance of the law is not a valid excuse for violating it.

Just because you did not––for example––know that New Jersey has a Move Over Law, does not mean that you can leave a traffic stop scot-free when you violate it.

Aside from this fact, police officers hear this excuse day in and day out. Most cannot stand it when a person tries to wiggle his way out of a traffic ticket because he was unaware of the law or other circumstances.

5 – Everyone else was doing it

Telling an officer that you were just keeping up with the flow of traffic is akin to telling him that you broke the law because everyone else was doing it.

In the eyes of the police officer, this is not a legitimate defense and he is not looking to hear your side of the argument.

If you try to argue with him, he may even tell you to save it for the judge or tell you to fight the ticket in court.

Remember, the key to avoiding a traffic ticket is being polite, not arguing, and showing genuine respect for the officer.

Granted, there is no guarantee that this will ensure you get a warning, but it can sure help you avoid the hassle of having to deal with the short-term and long-term consequences of a traffic ticket.

If you recently received a New Jersey traffic ticket, contact Michael Botton of The Botton Law Firm today at 732-894-3686.

Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Tells NJ Drivers to Stop for School Busses

Not too long ago, Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office spokesman, Al Della Fave, posted a message on Toms River Patch warning motorists about the dangers of failing to stop for school busses.

According to that message, the Ocean County Prosecutor Office published on its Facebook page information regarding an incident in Lakewood where a 9-year-old boy was hit by a driver passing a stopped school bus.

Mr. Fave explained that comments to the post came pouring in revealing just how many people actually fail to stop for school busses in NJ.

One post actually identified a particular corner in Brick, NJ where it happens just about every morning, even though most police officers have not actually issued traffic tickets to those supposedly doing it.

Mr. Fave’s message noted, “The penalty for failing to yield to a school bus is a motor vehicles summons in which the offender pays a fine and receives five (5) points. Folks – reckless driving is another violation that will get you five (5) points. Careless driving is two (2) points. That shows you the potential danger law enforcement attributes to the violation.”

Aside from explaining the points associated with failing to stop for a school bus, Mr. Fave gently asked motorists simply not to do it since it is extremely dangerous.

Remember, it is absolutely crucial that you drive as safely as you can and be sure to do everything within your power to follow the rules of the road.

With that said, if you believe that you were wrongfully issued a traffic ticket for failing to stop for a school bus, please contact an experienced NJ traffic ticket lawyer.

Contact Michael Botton of The Botton Law Firm today at 732-894-3686.