Wednesday, December 3, 2008

39:3-10.20 Suspension of Commercial Motor Vehicle Driving Privilege

a. In addition to the imposition of any other penalty provided by law, the chief administrator shall suspend for not less than one year nor more than three years the commercial motor vehicle driving privilege of a person convicted for a first violation of:
(1) R.S.39:4-50 if the motor vehicle was a commercial motor vehicle or section 5 of this act.

(2) R.S.39:4-129 if the motor vehicle was a commercial motor vehicle operated by the person.

(3) Using a commercial motor vehicle in the commission of any "crime" as defined in subsection a., c., or d. of N.J.S.2C:1-4.

(4) Refusal to submit to a chemical test under section 2 of P.L.1966, c.142 (C.39:4-50.2) or section 16 of this act if the motor vehicle was a commercial motor vehicle.

(5) Paragraph (1) of subsection b. of section 10 of this act.

(6) A violation, arising in connection with a fatal accident, of State or local law relating to motor vehicle traffic control, other than a parking violation, regardless of whether the motor vehicle operated by the person was a commercial motor vehicle or a non-commercial motor vehicle.

b. If a first violation of any of the violations specified in subsection a. of this section takes place while transporting hazardous material or takes place in a vehicle displaying a hazardous material placard, the chief administrator shall suspend the commercial motor vehicle driving privilege of the person for three years.

c. Subject to the provisions of subsection d. of this section, the chief administrator shall revoke for life the commercial motor vehicle driving privilege of a person for a second or subsequent violation of any of the offenses specified in subsection a. or any combination of those offenses arising from two or more separate incidents.

d. The chief administrator may issue rules and regulations establishing guidelines, including conditions under which a revocation of commercial motor vehicle driving privilege for life under subsection c. may be reduced to a period of not less than 10 years.

e. Notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary, the chief administrator shall revoke for life the commercial motor vehicle driving privilege of a person who uses a commercial motor vehicle in the commission of a crime involving the manufacture, distribution, or dispensing of a controlled substance or controlled substance analog, or possession with intent to manufacture, distribute, or dispense a controlled substance or controlled substance analog. A revocation under this subsection shall not be subject to reduction in accordance with subsection d. of this section.

f. (1) The chief administrator shall suspend the commercial motor vehicle driving privilege of a person for a period of not less than 60 days if the person is convicted of a serious traffic violation, other than a violation arising in connection with a fatal accident as set forth in paragraph (6) of subsection a. of this section, and that conviction constitutes the second serious traffic violation committed in a commercial motor vehicle or non-commercial motor vehicle in this or any other state arising from separate incidents occurring within a three year period. The chief administrator shall suspend the commercial motor vehicle driving privilege for 120 days if the conviction constitutes the third or subsequent serious traffic violation, other than a violation arising in connection with a fatal accident as set forth in paragraph (6) of subsection a. of this section, committed in a commercial motor vehicle or non-commercial motor vehicle in this or any other state arising from separate incidents occurring within a three year period.

(2) The chief administrator shall suspend the commercial motor vehicle driving privilege of a person for a period of not less than 60 days if the person is convicted of a violation of R.S.39:4-128; section 68 of P.L.1951, c.23 (C.39:4-127.1); or section 10 of P.L.2005, c.147 (C.39:4-128.11). The chief administrator shall suspend the commercial motor vehicle driving privilege for not less than 120 days if the conviction constitutes the second violation of R.S.39:4-128; section 68 of P.L.1951, c.23 (C.39:4-127.1); section 10 of P.L.2005, c.147 (C.39:4-128.11) or any combination of such violations in this or any other state arising from separate incidents occurring within a three-year period. The chief administrator shall suspend the commercial motor vehicle driving privilege for not less than one year if the conviction constitutes the third or subsequent violation of R.S.39:4-128; section 68 of P.L.1951, c.23 (39:4-127.1); section 10 of P.L.2005, c.147 (39:4-128.11) or any combination of such violations in this or any other state arising from separate incidents occurring within the past three years.

(3) The chief administrator shall suspend the commercial motor vehicle driving privilege of a person for a period of not less than 180 days or more than one year if the person is convicted of violating a driver or vehicle out-of-service order while driving a commercial motor vehicle transporting nonhazardous materials. The chief administrator shall suspend the commercial motor vehicle driving privilege of a person for a period of not less than one year or more than five years if the conviction constitutes the second conviction in a separate incident in this or any other state within a 10- year period of violating a driver or vehicle out-of-service order while driving a commercial motor vehicle transporting nonhazardous materials. The chief administrator shall suspend the commercial motor vehicle driving privilege for a person for a period of not less than three years or more than five years if the conviction constitutes the third or subsequent conviction in a separate incident in this or any other state within a 10-year period of violating a driver or vehicle out-of-service order while driving a commercial motor vehicle transporting nonhazardous materials.

(4) The chief administrator shall suspend the commercial motor vehicle driving privilege of a person for a period of not less than 180 days or more than two years if the person is convicted of violating a driver or vehicle out-of-service order while driving a commercial motor vehicle transporting hazardous materials required to be placarded under Subpart F of 49 C.F.R.s.172, or while operating a vehicle designed to transport 16 or more passengers, including the driver. The chief administrator shall suspend the commercial motor vehicle driving privilege of a person for a period of not less than three years or more than five years if the conviction constitutes a second or subsequent conviction in a separate incident within a 10-year period in this or any other state of violating a driver or vehicle out-of-service order while driving a commercial motor vehicle transporting hazardous materials required to be placarded under Subpart F of 49 C.F.R. s.172, or while operating a vehicle designed to transport 16 or more passengers, including the driver.

g. A court shall make a report to the chief administrator within three days in such form as the chief administrator may require concerning conviction for violation of P.L. 1990, c.103 (C.39:3-10.9 et seq.). The chief administrator shall notify the Commercial Driver License Information System of the suspension, revocation, or cancellation. In the case of non-residents, the chief administrator also shall notify the licensing authority of the state which issued the commercial driver license or the state where the person is domiciled. The chief administrator shall provide these notices within 10 days after the suspension, revocation, cancellation, or disqualification.

h. The chief administrator shall in accordance with this section suspend a commercial motor vehicle driving privilege of a person holding, or required to hold, a commercial driver license issued by this State if the person is convicted in another state or foreign jurisdiction of an offense of a substantially similar nature to the offenses specified in subsection a., e., f., g., h., i., or j. of this section. For purposes of this section, a violation such as driving while intoxicated, driving under the influence, or driving while ability is impaired shall be considered substantially similar offenses. For purposes of this section, a violation committed in another state but substantially similar to those enumerated in subsection a., e., f., g., h., i., or j. of this section committed in this State shall be included.

i. Notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary, a conviction under this section, or section 5 or 16 of this act, shall not merge with a conviction for a violation of R.S.39:4-50 or section 2 of P.L.1966, c.142 (C.39:4-50.2.)

j. In addition to any other penalty provided by law, the chief administrator shall suspend for one year the commercial motor vehicle driving privilege of a person for a first violation of:

(1) R.S.39:4-50 while operating a non-commercial motor vehicle;

(2) R.S.39:4-129 while operating a non-commercial motor vehicle;

(3) Refusing to submit to a chemical test under section 2 of P.L.1966, c.142 (C.39:4-50.2) while operating a non-commercial motor vehicle; or

(4) Using a non-commercial motor vehicle in the commission of any "crime" as defined in subsection a., c., or d. of N.J.S.2C:1-4.

k. The chief administrator shall in accordance with this section suspend the commercial motor vehicle driving privilege of a person holding, or required to hold, a commercial driver license issued by this State if that person has been disqualified from operating a commercial motor vehicle by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration pursuant to 49 C.F.R. s.383.52 because that person's driving has been determined to constitute an imminent hazard.

l. The Motor Vehicle Commission shall maintain records of accidents, convictions, and disqualification for persons holding, or required to hold, a commercial driver license in accordance with 49 C.F.R. s.384.225 and the AAMVAnet, Inc.'s "Commercial Driver License Information System State Procedures," as amended and supplemented.

Consequences of a Criminal Guilty Plea

1. You will have to appear in open court and tell the judge what you did that makes you guilty of the particular offense(s)

2. Do you understand that if you plead guilty:

a. You will have a criminal record

b. You may go to Jail or Prison.

c. You will have to pay Fines and Court Costs.

3. If you are on Probation, you will have to submit to random drug and urine testing. If you violate Probation, you often go to jail.

4. In indictable matters, you will be required to provide a DNA sample, which could be used by law enforcement for the investigation of criminal activity, and pay for the cost of testing.

5. You must pay restitution if the court finds there is a victim who has suffered a loss and if the court finds that you are able or will be able in the future to pay restitution.

6. If you are a public office holder or employee, you can be required to forfeit your office or job by virtue of your plea of guilty.

7. If you are not a United States citizen or national, you may be deported by virtue of your plea of guilty.

8. You must wait 5-10 years to expunge a first offense. 2C:52-3

9. You could be put on Probation.

10. In Drug Cases, a mandatory DEDR penalty of $500-$1,000, and lose your driver's license for 6 months - 2years. You must pay a Law Enforcement Officers Training and Equipment Fund penalty of $30.

11. You may be required to do Community Service.

12. You must pay a minimum Violent Crimes Compensation Board assessment of $50 ($100 minimum if you are convicted of a crime of violence) for each count to which you plead guilty.

13. You must pay a $75 Safe Neighborhood Services Fund assessment for each conviction.

14. If you are being sentenced to probation, you must pay a fee of up to $25 per month for the term of probation.

15. You lose the presumption against incarceration in future cases. 2C:44-1

16. You may lose your right to vote.

The defense of a person charged with a criminal offense is not impossible. There are a number of viable defenses and arguments which can be pursued to achieve a successful result. Advocacy, commitment, and persistence are essential to defending a client accused of a criminal offense.

Jail for Crimes and Disorderly Conduct:

If someone pleads Guilty or is found Guilty of a criminal offense, the following is the statutory Prison/Jail terms.

NJSA 2C: 43-8 (1) In the case of a crime of the first degree, for a specific term of years which shall be fixed by the court and shall be between 10 years and 20 years;

(2) In the case of a crime of the second degree, for a specific term of years which shall be fixed by the court and shall be between five years and 10 years;

(3) In the case of a crime of the third degree, for a specific term of years which shall be fixed by the court and shall be between three years and five years;

(4) In the case of a crime of the fourth degree, for a specific term which shall be fixed by the court and shall not exceed 18 months.

2C:43-3 Fines have been increased recently! 2C:43-3. Fines and Restitutions. A person who has been convicted of an offense may be sentenced to pay a fine, to make restitution, or both, such fine not to exceed:

a. (1) $200,000.00 when the conviction is of a crime of the first degree;

(2) $150,000.00 when the conviction is of a crime of the second degree;

b. (1) $15,000.00 when the conviction is of a crime of the third degree;

(2) $10,000.00 when the conviction is of a crime of the fourth degree;

c. $1,000.00, when the conviction is of a disorderly persons offense;

d. $500.00, when the conviction is of a petty disorderly persons offense;

If facing any criminal charge, retain an experienced attorney immediately to determine you rights and obligations to the court.

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