Wishing you holidays filled with fun and laughter, and very best wishes for a prosperous new year.
Archives for December 2019
The Different Pleas in Traffic Court in New Jersey
Your Options When Responding to a Traffic Ticket
In New Jersey, when you receive any type of traffic ticket, there are a number of ways you can respond:
- Simply pay the fine—By paying the fine, you essentially plead guilty and forfeit the right to a trial. This may be a good option if you’ve never had a ticket, as a single citation will seldom lead to higher insurance rates or suspension of your license. It’s customarily simple to pay the fine—you usually can do it online and won’t need to appear in court. If, however, you believe you have a valid defense, or you have prior citations, this may not be in your best interests.
- Plead guilty with an explanation—You may be tempted to go to court and plead guilty but offer the judge an explanation of the circumstances, hoping the fine will be reduced or waived. That rarely happens, but a guilty plea on your record can have an impact on your insurance rates. If you have any colorable defense, it’s usually better to plead not guilty.
- Plead nolo contendere—In essence, a nolo contendere plea means that you choose not to contest the charge. A nolo contendere plea is seldom necessary but might make sense if you were involved in an accident as it cannot be used as evidence in a civil trial. A guilty plea can.
- Plead not guilty—Even if you believe you were responsible, you always have the right to plead not guilty. The court will not punish you for pleading not guilty, even when the evidence overwhelming supports your culpability. As a general rule, you must appear in court to plead not guilty (although you typically can do this at the court clerk’s window).
Contact Gregg A. Wisotsky, Partner at Javerbaum Wurgaft Hicks Kahn Wikstrom & Sinins, PC
I offer a free phone consultation to every prospective client. For a complimentary evaluation of your case, contact my office online or call me at 973-241-7468. I will come to your home or the hospital to meet with you, if necessary. All major credit cards are accepted.
Common Causes of Winter-related Personal Injury
Accidents That Are More Common in Cold Weather
The winters in New Jersey present a wide range of conditions that contribute to personal injury:
- Accumulation of snow and/or ice on sidewalks, steps, and other surfaces—Property owners in New Jersey must take reasonable steps to monitor property for accumulation of snow or ice and reasonably respond to the presence of dangerous conditions. While residential property owners generally don’t have an affirmative duty to clear sidewalks, steps, and similar places, they may be liable for taking action that makes a dangerous condition worse. Commercial property owners do have a duty to clear snow and ice off walkways, provided they knew or should have known it was there.
- Motor vehicle accidents—Winter car crashes can result from various forms of negligence, from lack of visibility caused by failure to remove snow, ice, or frost from a car, to the failure to operate a vehicle at the appropriate speed for prevailing weather conditions. Unfortunately, due to the number of winter holidays, drunk-driving accidents also increase this time of year.
- Injuries from outdoor or indoor fires—When it gets cold outside, there’s a natural impulse to crank up the heat inside. Doing so can remove much of the moisture inside and make your home a tinderbox. It’s no wonder that winter home fires account for about one-third of all fire deaths in the United States.
- Space heater accidents—Apart from the obvious risk of a faulty space heater starting a fire, space heaters often contribute to carbon monoxide poisoning.
Contact Attorney Gregg A. Wisotsky—Partner at Javerbaum Wurgaft Hicks Kahn Wikstrom & Sinins, P.C.
I offer a free phone consultation to every prospective client. For a complimentary evaluation of your case, contact my office online or call me at 973-241-7468. I will come to your home or the hospital to meet with you, if necessary. All major credit cards are accepted.
