What is the Statute of Limitations for a Traffic Ticket?

The statute of limitations is the time limitation or deadline for the commencement or beginning of a prosecution. The applicable statute of limitations for a motor vehicle offense in New Jersey depends upon the type of traffic violation. In the case of most traffic tickets, the time limitation is generally within 30 days after the date of the offense (N.J.S.A. 39:5-3). However, certain traffic offenses have longer deadlines, such as 1 year for Leaving the Scene of an Accident (N.J.S.A. 39:4-129, N.J.S.A. 39:5-3b), 6 months for Driving Without Insurance (N.J.S.A. 39:6B-2), 90 days for Driving While Suspended (N.J.S.A. 39:3-40, N.J.S.A. 39:5-3b), 90 days for DUI-DWI and Refusal to Submit to a Breath Test (N.J.S.A. 39:4-50, N.J.S.A. 39:4-50.4a, N.J.S.A. 39:5-3b), and 90 days for Failure to Observe a Traffic Control Device, Traffic Signal or Traffic Light (N.J.S.A. 39:4-81, N.J.S.A. 39:5-3a).

​The information above is a brief overview of the statute of limitations associated with traffic ticket matters in the Municipal Courts of New Jersey. You should contact an experienced traffic violation defense attorney who will explain all of your options and defenses based upon the specific circumstances of your case and work hard to reduce or avoid the potential negative consequences.