<p>The thing is, the courts LIKE you to plead to a “lesser offense”, because the fines are higher (the extra $ goes to the jurisdiction). You avoid points on your license (the extra $ goes to the insurance company).</p>
<p>I was driving in bad weather and slid off an icy road. I was cited with reckless driving (for driving -under the speed limit- on ice in the winter in NJ…really). In order to avoid points, I was offered a deal to plead to “failure to stop” at a stop sign (higher fine, but no points). Interestingly, this was on a road that doesn’t have any stops signs or even traffic lights. </p>
<p>Welcome to NJ :/</p>
<p>OP, if your son has to appear in court tomorrow but can’t get there - what is/was he planning to do?</p>