Reckless Driving Lawyer Burlington County, NJ
You were heading home on Route 130 or the New Jersey Turnpike, maybe a little over the limit, but suddenly the flashing lights appear in your rearview mirror. The officer hands you a summons that doesn’t just say “speeding”—it says “reckless driving.” Right there, in Burlington County, you realize this is different from a routine ticket. Reckless driving in New Jersey carries points, surcharges, and the possibility of jail time. You need someone who understands what is at stake and who regularly appears in the Municipal Court at 49 Rancocas Road, Mount Holly. Mr. Sris, a former prosecutor, and the firm’s Of Counsel attorneys at Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. represent drivers facing reckless driving charges in Burlington County. For a consultation, call (888) 437-7747. Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. – Advocacy Without Borders.
What a Reckless Driving Charge Means in Burlington County
In New Jersey, reckless driving is not a simple traffic infraction—it is a quasi-criminal offense heard in municipal court before a judge, not an administrative hearing officer. A driver who operates a vehicle “heedlessly, in willful or wanton disregard of the rights or safety of others, in a manner so as to endanger, or be likely to endanger, a person or property” is guilty of reckless driving. A first offense carries up to five Motor Vehicle Commission points, fines, and the possibility of up to 60 days in county jail. A second or subsequent offense within a certain period increases the potential jail term and other consequences.
The Burlington County Municipal Court, located in Mount Holly, handles all traffic matters for the county’s communities, including Mount Laurel, Moorestown, Burlington City, Cinnaminson, Evesham, Medford, Bordentown, Pemberton, Willingboro, and Marlton. The court operates under the 8th Vicinage. Because New Jersey traffic offenses are tried in a formal courtroom setting with a prosecutor present, having experienced counsel who knows the local procedures and the negotiating positions of the prosecutor can make a significant difference in the outcome of your case.
How Mr. Sris and the Firm’s Of Counsel Attorneys Handle Reckless Driving Cases
When you reach out to Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C., the process begins with a clear discussion of the facts. Mr. Sris and the firm’s Of Counsel attorneys will review the summons, the officer’s observations, and any additional evidence such as dash camera footage or witness statements. The goal is to identify the strong points or the most effective path to a reduced charge. In many Burlington County reckless driving cases, a frequent strategy involves negotiating with the municipal prosecutor to amend the charge from reckless driving (5 points) to careless driving (2 points). This reduction not only saves points but can also avoid thousands of dollars in insurance surcharges imposed by the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission.
The firm’s approach is thorough and case-specific. For some drivers, challenging the officer’s assessment of speed or manner of operation may be appropriate. For others, presenting mitigating circumstances—a clean prior record, completion of a defensive driving course, or the absence of any actual endangerment—can lead to a more favorable resolution. Because Mr. Sris is a former prosecutor, he understands how the prosecution evaluates a case and can anticipate arguments before they are made. The firm’s Of Counsel attorneys bring extensive combined legal experience in traffic defense and appear regularly in Burlington County Municipal Court.
Results may vary. Mr. Sris and the firm’s Of Counsel attorneys have documented case results since 1997.
About Mr. Sris and the Firm’s Of Counsel Attorneys
Mr. Sris is the Owner and Founder of Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C., a multi-state law firm practicing since 1997. A former prosecutor, he brings firsthand insight into how the state builds a traffic case. He is admitted to practice in New Jersey, Virginia, Maryland, the District of Columbia, and New York. Mr. Sris testified before the Virginia House Courts of Justice Committee in support of 2019 HB 635 (chief patron Del. David Bulova). His background, combined with the experience of the firm’s Of Counsel attorneys, means that when you retain the firm, you have a team that knows how to evaluate evidence, negotiate with prosecutors, and advocate in municipal court.
The firm’s New Jersey location serves clients throughout Burlington County and all 21 New Jersey counties. By appointment only, call (888) 437-7747 to schedule a consultation.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many points is a reckless driving ticket in Burlington County, New Jersey?
Reckless driving carries 5 points on a New Jersey driver’s license. For context, speeding 1–14 mph over the limit results in 2 points, 15–29 over results in 4 points, and 30 or more over results in 5 points. At 6 or more points, the MVC imposes a surcharge of $100 per year for each point above 6, for three years. A conviction also triggers a record of the violation that stays on your driving abstract. Because points and surcharges have long-term financial consequences, many drivers work with an attorney to seek a reduction to a lesser offense, such as careless driving (2 points), when the facts permit.
Can I fight a reckless driving ticket in Burlington County?
Yes, you have the right to contest a reckless driving charge in Burlington County Municipal Court. The matter is heard before a municipal court judge, and the prosecution must prove the charge. Plea bargaining is permitted, and a common outcome is a negotiated amendment to careless driving, which cuts the points from 5 to 2 and reduces the potential fine and surcharge exposure. An attorney can evaluate the officer’s narrative, any speed-measuring device records, and the circumstances of the traffic stop to determine whether a motion to suppress evidence or a trial defense is advisable.
What are the NJ insurance surcharges for a reckless driving conviction?
New Jersey imposes surcharges on top of court fines and costs for drivers who accumulate points. For every point above 6, the MVC charges $100 per year for three years. A driver with 6 points pays no surcharge for points, but a driver with 7 points pays $100 per year for three years, and the amount increases with each additional point. Additionally, three or more moving violations in three years trigger a separate $250 per year Unsafe Driver Surcharge. Because reckless driving adds 5 points, a driver who already has points on their record can quickly reach the surcharge threshold. Reducing the charge can directly reduce or eliminate these surcharges.
Is a reckless driving charge a criminal offense in Burlington County?
Reckless driving in New Jersey is a quasi-criminal traffic offense, not a criminal conviction, but it carries the possibility of jail time. A first offense carries up to 60 days in county jail, though jail is not typically imposed for a first offense absent aggravating factors. The matter is heard in municipal court and does not create a criminal record, but it does appear on your driving record. For drivers with a commercial driver’s license (CDL), the stakes are higher because a conviction can result in a CDL disqualification. An attorney can explain the specific consequences for your situation.
How long does a reckless driving case take in Burlington County?
The timeline depends on the court’s calendar, but most municipal court matters are scheduled for a first appearance within a few weeks of the ticket issuance. Your attorney may request discovery, file motions, and negotiate with the prosecutor. Some cases resolve at the first court date through a plea agreement; others may require a trial date, which can be set several weeks later. Because every case is different, the firm advises clients on the expected timeline after reviewing the specific facts and the court’s current scheduling practices. For a consultation, reach Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. at (888) 437-7747.
Do I need a lawyer for a reckless driving ticket in New Jersey?
You are not legally required to have a lawyer, but the stakes of a reckless driving conviction—5 points, high surcharges, and possible jail—make experienced representation a prudent choice. An attorney can identify procedural errors, challenge the evidence, negotiate a charge reduction, and present mitigation to the court. Without an attorney, a driver may not be aware of all available defenses or the full financial impact of a conviction. To discuss your specific ticket, call (888) 437-7747 and ask to speak with Mr. Sris or one of the firm’s Of Counsel attorneys.
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For a full statutory analysis of New Jersey traffic law, visit our comprehensive resource at srislawyer.com.
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Results may vary.
Case results depend on a variety of factors unique to each case.