The other day I was pulled over by the NJ State Police for traveling 86 in a 65. Long story short, I was polite and did everything in the book to be respectful to him and was let off without a speeding ticket. However, he did ticket me for unclear plates because I have a metal license plate frame on my plates. The frame is 0.5" thick and does NOT in any way hinder the reading of "NEW JERSEY", "GARDEN STATE", or my plate tag. My tag is completely visible with zero obstructions covering it. He only hit me with this ticket ($54 fine, 0-point violation) probably because my driving record is clean and I've never had any traffic violations otherwise..
I didn't complain in front of the cop (obviously, since I got off paying a $500 fine and a 4-point violation) but the unclear plates violation is bogus.
This is not the case here, as my plate was unobstructed. If I fight this in court could the judge think I'm being greedy and slap me back with the speeding fine? I don't want to sound greedy because I know $54 isn't much compared to 4 points and $500, but the cop could have ticketed me for speeding and didn't. The ticket only mentions unclear plates.. just afraid of the judge asking, "Why were you pulled over? How fast were you going?"
Also, the cop did make a little note in a random box that says "(86)65" so I'm assuming it's for his reference if I try to fight it.. so he can tell the judge I was doing 86 in a 65.
Any help is welcome.
Thanks!
I didn't complain in front of the cop (obviously, since I got off paying a $500 fine and a 4-point violation) but the unclear plates violation is bogus.
NJ Statute 39:3-33:
No person shall drive a motor vehicle which has a license plate frame or identification marker holder that conceals or otherwise obscures any part of any marking imprinted upon the vehicle's registration plate or any part of any insert which the director, as hereinafter provided, issues to be inserted in and attached to that registration plate or marker.
This is not the case here, as my plate was unobstructed. If I fight this in court could the judge think I'm being greedy and slap me back with the speeding fine? I don't want to sound greedy because I know $54 isn't much compared to 4 points and $500, but the cop could have ticketed me for speeding and didn't. The ticket only mentions unclear plates.. just afraid of the judge asking, "Why were you pulled over? How fast were you going?"
Also, the cop did make a little note in a random box that says "(86)65" so I'm assuming it's for his reference if I try to fight it.. so he can tell the judge I was doing 86 in a 65.
Any help is welcome.
Thanks!