Failure to Obey a Police Officer Lawyer in Gloucester County, NJ — What Are Your Options?
A charge for failure to obey a police officer in Gloucester County is a serious traffic offense under N.J.S.A. 39:4-57 that can lead to fines, points, and license suspension. Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. provides defense for these charges in the Gloucester Vicinage Superior Court. Contact a failure to obey a police officer lawyer Gloucester County at (888) 437-7747 for a 24/7 consultation by appointment.
What Is Failure to Obey a Police Officer in New Jersey?
The offense of failure to obey a police officer is defined under New Jersey statute N.J.S.A. 39:4-57. This law makes it illegal for any driver to refuse or fail to comply with any lawful order or direction of any police officer invested by law with authority to direct, control, or regulate traffic. This is a broad statute that covers a range of conduct, from ignoring a traffic direction to refusing to pull over when signaled.
Last verified: March 2026 | Superior Court of NJ, Gloucester Vicinage | New Jersey Legislature
Founded in 1997 by former prosecutor Mr. Sris, our firm has over 120 years of combined legal experience handling traffic and criminal matters across New Jersey, including Gloucester County.
Official Legal Resources
For the official text of the law, refer to N.J.S.A. 39:4-57 (official New Jersey Legislature). For local court procedures, visit the Gloucester Vicinage website.
Local Court Process for Failure to Obey Charges in Gloucester County
In Gloucester County, a failure to obey a police officer charge is typically heard in the Municipal Court of the township where the alleged violation occurred, such as Washington Township or Deptford. These courts handle initial pleas, discovery, and trials. A conviction can result in motor vehicle points being assessed against your driving record by the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC).
- Receive the traffic summons specifying the charge under N.J.S.A. 39:4-57 and your court date.
- Consult with a failure to obey a police officer lawyer Gloucester County to review the circumstances and police report.
- Appear in the designated municipal court for an arraignment to enter a plea.
- Engage in pre-trial negotiations with the municipal prosecutor, which may involve seeking a reduction to a lesser offense.
- Prepare for and proceed to a bench trial before the municipal judge if a satisfactory plea agreement cannot be reached.
- Address any resulting points or license implications with the NJ MVC post-adjudication.
Potential Penalties for Failure to Obey a Police Officer in NJ
In Gloucester County, a conviction for failure to obey a police officer under N.J.S.A. 39:4-57 carries a fine, court costs, and two motor vehicle points, which can increase insurance premiums and risk license suspension if you accumulate too many points.
| Offense | Classification | Fine | Motor Vehicle Points | Other Consequences |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Failure to Obey a Police Officer (N.J.S.A. 39:4-57) | Traffic Violation | $50 – $200 + court costs | 2 points | Increased insurance rates; possible driver’s license suspension if point total reaches threshold. |
Results may vary. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
Our Experience in Gloucester County Courts
Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. was founded in 1997. Our firm-wide practice has documented over 4,739 case results with a favorable outcome rate exceeding 93%. While specific counts for this charge in Gloucester County are not separately tallied, our attorneys are familiar with the local municipal court procedures and prosecutors. We understand that an affordable failure to obey a police officer lawyer Gloucester County can be essential, and we work to provide effective representation. Our approach is grounded in a detailed review of the officer’s order and the circumstances of the alleged non-compliance.
Case Results Involving Traffic and Order-Related Charges
Our attorneys have achieved positive results in various traffic-related matters. For example, we have successfully argued for reductions of more serious moving violations to non-moving offenses, which carry no points. In other cases, we have secured dismissals where the legality of the police officer’s order or the sufficiency of the evidence was successfully challenged. Mr. Sris leads our firm’s strategic approach in these matters.
Results may vary. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
Failure to Obey a Police Officer Lawyer Near Me Gloucester County
If you need a failure to obey a police officer lawyer near me Gloucester County, our New Jersey location serves clients throughout the area. We represent individuals in courts in Woodbury, Washington Township, Deptford, and other Gloucester County municipalities.
Neighborhoods Served: Woodbury, Washington Township, Deptford, Monroe Township, Mantua, West Deptford, Glassboro, Woolwich, Harrison Township, Pitman.
Availability: 24/7 phone consultations — (888) 437-7747 — meetings by appointment only.
Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C.
New Jersey Location — 44 Apple St, 1st Floor
Tinton Falls, NJ 07724
By appointment only.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is failing to obey a police officer a criminal charge in NJ?
No. Under N.J.S.A. 39:4-57, failure to obey a police officer is a traffic violation, not a criminal offense. It is heard in municipal court, not criminal court, but it does add points to your driving record.
Can I go to jail for failing to obey a police officer?
It depends. The statute itself does not prescribe jail time. However, if the failure to obey is coupled with other offenses like eluding police (a criminal charge), or if it results in a serious accident, jail time could become a possibility under those separate, more severe charges.
How many points is a failure to obey charge?
2 points. A conviction for failure to obey a police officer under N.J.S.A. 39:4-57 adds two points to your New Jersey driving record with the Motor Vehicle Commission.
Should I just pay the ticket for failure to obey?
No. Paying the ticket is an admission of guilt and will result in the two points being automatically added to your license. It is advisable to consult with a failure to obey a police officer lawyer Gloucester County to explore options for fighting the charge or negotiating a reduction to a zero-point offense.
What if I didn’t understand the officer’s order?
This can be a potential defense. Your attorney can argue that the order was not clear or that circumstances (like noise or traffic) prevented you from understanding it. The prosecution must prove you willfully failed to comply with a lawful order.
Related Legal Information
For more information on traffic defense in New Jersey, visit our New Jersey Civil Litigation hub page. If you are facing other charges, consider reading about DUI defense in Gloucester County or federal criminal matters. For similar issues in neighboring areas, see our pages for Camden County and Burlington County.
Page last verified: 2026-04. Laws and procedures change. Contact Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. at (888) 437-7747 for current legal guidance regarding your failure to obey a police officer charge in Gloucester County.
If you want to see how a Gloucester County case fits into the wider process, our page on failure to obey a police officer lawyer Virginia covers it from start to finish.
Your case in Gloucester County, New Jersey
Immigration matters are federal: removal cases for New Jersey residents are heard at the Newark Immigration Court and applications are decided by USCIS. County criminal charges that can affect immigration status are heard in the Criminal Part of the Law Division. In Gloucester County that is the Superior Court of NJ, Gloucester Vicinage (15th Vicinage), 70 Hunter Street, Woodbury, NJ 08096, telephone (856) 853-3200, open Mon-Fri 8:30AM-4:30PM. Court procedures change; confirm the current schedule on the official vicinage website or with the clerk before you file or appear.
The governing law for this topic is the federal Immigration and Nationality Act. Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. handles Gloucester County matters from its New Jersey location at 44 Apple St 1st Floor, Tinton Falls, NJ 07724; meetings are by appointment. Request a New Jersey consultation at (888) 437-7747 or (609) 983-0003.
Related New Jersey pages: Gloucester County NJ lawyers directory · Failure to Obey a Police Officer Lawyer Bergen County, NJ · Failure to Obey a Police Officer Lawyer Hudson County, NJ · Failure to Obey a Police Officer Lawyer Monmouth County, NJ.