Camden County Failure to Obey a Police Officer Lawyer — What Are Your Defenses?
A failure to obey a police officer charge in Camden County is a serious traffic offense under N.J.S.A. 39:4-57, carrying fines, points, and potential jail time. Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. provides a strong defense for these charges, focusing on the specific circumstances of your interaction with law enforcement.
What Is Failure to Obey a Police Officer in New Jersey?
In New Jersey, the statute governing failure to obey a police officer is N.J.S.A. 39:4-57. This law makes it unlawful for any person 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 can cover a range of actions, from failing to stop when signaled to disobeying specific traffic control instructions at an accident scene or roadblock.
Last verified: March 2026 | Superior Court of NJ, Camden Vicinage | New Jersey Legislature
The firm was founded in 1997 by former prosecutor Mr. Sris, who brings a unique understanding of how these charges are initiated and prosecuted.
Official Legal Resources
For the official text of the statute, refer to N.J.S.A. 39:4-57 (official New Jersey Legislature site). For local court procedures, visit the Camden Vicinage court website.
Local Court Process for a Failure to Obey Charge in Camden County
In Camden County, a failure to obey a police officer charge is typically heard in the Municipal Court of the municipality where the alleged violation occurred. Prosecutors in these courts often treat these charges seriously as they relate directly to officer authority. The key local procedural fact is that these are municipal court matters, but they can have consequences beyond a simple traffic ticket.
- Receive Your Summons: You will get a traffic ticket or summons specifying the charge under N.J.S.A. 39:4-57 and your court date in the local municipal court.
- Initial Appearance: At your first court date, you will enter a plea of guilty, not guilty, or no contest. Pleading not guilty sets the case for trial.
- Discovery and Pre-Trial: Your attorney will request discovery (the officer’s notes, dash/body cam footage) and may file pre-trial motions to challenge the charge’s validity.
- Trial or Resolution: The case may proceed to a bench trial before a municipal judge or be resolved through a plea negotiation to a lesser offense.
- Sentencing: If found guilty, the judge will impose penalties, which can include fines, court costs, and potential jail time for willful violations.
- Appeal: A guilty verdict can be appealed to the Superior Court, Law Division, in Camden County within 20 days.
Potential Penalties for Failure to Obey a Police Officer in NJ
In Camden County, a conviction for failure to obey a police officer under N.J.S.A. 39:4-57 carries a fine of $50 to $200, up to 15 days in jail, and 2 motor vehicle points.
| Offense | Classification | Incarceration | Fine | License Impact | Additional Consequences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Failure to Obey Police Officer (N.J.S.A. 39:4-57) | Traffic Violation / Petty Disorderly Persons Offense (if willful) | Up to 15 days in jail | $50 – $200 | 2 motor vehicle points | Court costs, potential insurance increase, a mark on your driving record. |
Results may vary. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
Why Choose Our Firm for Your Camden County Traffic Charge?
Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. was founded in 1997. Our attorneys have a combined 120+ years of legal experience. We have handled over 4,739 cases with a 93% favorable outcome rate firm-wide across VA, MD, NJ, NY, and DC. Our tagline, “Advocacy Without Borders,” reflects our commitment to aggressive representation. For a failure to obey a police officer charge, we scrutinize the legality of the officer’s order and the evidence against you.
Our Approach to Failure to Obey Charges
We build a defense by examining whether the officer’s order was lawful and clearly communicated. We review all available evidence, including body-worn or dash camera footage, to challenge the prosecution’s case. Our goal is often to have the charge dismissed or reduced to a non-point violation to protect your driving record and avoid insurance hikes. We represent clients seeking an affordable failure to obey a police officer lawyer Camden County.
Contact Our Camden County Traffic Defense Lawyers
Our New Jersey location serves clients at Camden County courts. We are accessible via I-76, Route 30, Route 70, Route 130, NJ Turnpike, and PATCO. If you are looking for a failure to obey a police officer lawyer near me Camden County, we are here to help.
Neighborhoods Served: Camden, Cherry Hill, Gloucester Township, Voorhees, Haddonfield, Collingswood, Pennsauken, Winslow, Haddon Township, Berlin, Lindenwold.
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: Failure to Obey a Police Officer in Camden County
Is failing to obey a police officer a criminal charge in NJ?
It depends. Under N.J.S.A. 39:4-57, it is primarily a traffic violation. However, if the failure to obey is deemed willful and interferes with the officer’s duties, it could be charged as a petty disorderly persons offense, which is a criminal charge.
How many points is failure to obey a police officer in New Jersey?
A conviction for failure to obey a police officer in New Jersey adds 2 points to your driving record. Accumulating points can lead to surcharges and license suspension.
Can this charge be dismissed?
Yes. A charge can be dismissed if the defense successfully argues the officer’s order was unlawful, unclear, or if there is insufficient evidence that you willfully failed to comply. An experienced failure to obey a police officer lawyer Camden County can identify these weaknesses.
What if I didn’t see or hear the police officer?
A valid defense may exist if you can demonstrate you were unaware of the officer’s lawful order due to circumstances like loud ambient noise, visual obstructions, or the officer not being in proper uniform or a marked vehicle.
Should I just plead guilty and pay the fine?
No. Pleading guilty means accepting the points on your license, which affect insurance rates and can lead to suspension. Always consult with an attorney to explore defenses or options for a reduced charge.
What should I do if I’m charged with failure to obey?
Contact a traffic defense attorney as early as possible. Do not discuss the incident with the officer beyond providing required identification. Your attorney will handle all communications and court appearances.
Related Legal Information
If you are facing this charge, you may also want to learn about reckless driving in Camden County or fighting other traffic tickets. For a broader view of our traffic defense practice, visit our New Jersey traffic lawyer hub page. We also assist clients in neighboring areas like Burlington County.
Page last verified and updated: 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.
If your case reaches beyond Camden County, our page on failure to obey a police officer charges across New Jersey sets out what to look for at each stage.
Your case in Camden 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 Camden County that is the Superior Court of NJ, Camden Vicinage (1st Vicinage), 101 South Fifth Street, Camden, NJ 08103, telephone (856) 379-2200, 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 Camden 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: Camden 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.