Hi... I may have experience [with this kind of thing] :)

I'll just say that in my 20 year or so living in NJ, I've gotten in the region of 14 tickets. Most of those were in the first 4 years, but the most recent was perhaps 4 years ago.

I've 'gotten off' every single one. Some were *actual* infringements ( speeding down the parkway, driving with busted tail light). Some were bullshit tickets ( failed to indicate left when turning, erratic behaviour ie: Driving wi' long hair) and so on.

My advice is : Don't be intimidated. Don't be scared. Goto court...

Traffic court in NJ is *your friend*. Honest to god. They're open after hours, meaning you can go after work. The judges are almost universally on YOUR side, not the coppers. And if you present a cogent and compelling argument will always either 'let you off' or negiotiate with the copper for a lesser sentence.

Even if you turn up and are just like : yeah, 'guv.. I was speeding. I was [late for concert / worried about my Mom / trying to pass the a**hole from PA who was sittin' in the left lane doing the speed limit] - they'll often knock it down to something that has no points and a reduced fine.

"Getting off" in this case can simply be getting your ticket knocked down to something that doesn't involve points. If you have no points on your license. They *know* that it's the first lot o' points which get you.. and will often work with you to prevent it.

That said? YOUR case sounds like a slam dunk. Turn up, declare 'Not guilty'. DON'T fold to the jerk of a DA who'll try to get you to capitulate to a lesser ticket, since you ARE not guilty, and they are gonna have a hell of a time proving it.

Take your turn at the podium, declare 'Not Guilty, your honour' when asked. Present your case "I were at my girlfriend's at the time, guv. Copper ain't got a leg to stand on. Demand evidence... Demand cam footage, or whatever. Bring an alibi if you have one.

Judge will ask copper for corroborating evidence ( if he even turns up, if he doesn't - which has happened to me in like 4 cases it's just summarily dismissed). If he can't provide it, it's a 'your word against his word' and contrary to regular court, traffic court ( in my experience) tends towards the victim, not the officer.

You'd be surprised what *just turning up* can do for you too. I've turned up, pled GUILTY to the actual offense, offered mitigating circumstances and 'gotten off'. Example :

Dead of winter, it was raining / sleet and I was driving (safely) down an incline at 3AM with a set of traffic lights halfway down the hill with no traffic in sight anywhere for miles except for a truck behind me. Truck did NOT appear to be slowing.. I was slowing for the light.. truck still barrelling down the road behind me. Given weather conditions, the speed of the truck, and the closing distance, I opted to run the red light - for fear of being mashed by said truck.

Copper parked in the strip mall opposite pulls me over for 'running red light'. Technically true, but "I had reasons". Turned up in court, pled my case, looks at ticket - see's 3AM on ticket, see's road, see's date of ticket (mid-winter), confirms with copper. Let me off. Scott free.. nothing.. nada.

Soo.. REALLY LONG story is basically: Goto court. Don't be scared. Maybe bring someone with you who's familiar with the process, but you don't need to be spending $500 on lawyers.
I have been to court wi' several neices as a 'helping hand' and every time I've done that they've also gotten off or a reduced sentence.

G'luck!