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Penalties for Fictitious Plates in NJ:
In New Jersey, using a fictitious or fake license plate is considered a traffic ticket offense but does come with penalties similar to a criminal offense. In order to be convicted of the offense, the judge must determine whether your actions were intentional. If the court finds that you knowingly used or displayed fictitious plates, you face the penalties of:
- A fine of up to $500
- Jail time of up to 60 days
"Knowingly" means that you knew — or reasonably should have known — that your license plates were altered or fraudulent. The prosecution is thus not required to prove actual knowledge.
For example, this could include purchasing plates online on facebook marketplace instead of from the New Jersey MVC, or switching plates from one vehicle to another.
Penalties Are More Severe with Plate-Altering Devices
If you used a device to change or hide your license plate — such as an electronic flipper, cover, or digital alteration — the penalties are significantly harsher:
- Fines up to $1,500
- Jail time of up to 90 days
Caught With a Fictitious License Plate in New Jersey? Here's What You Need to Know
Attorney H. Scott Aalsberg, Esq. is widely recognized as one of America’s top criminal and traffic defense attorneys. With over 30 years of proven courtroom experience, he aggressively defends clients facing serious charges — including fictitious license plates, fake tags, fraudulent vehicle registration, criminal mischief, and tampering with government records. He delivers aggressive, strategic defense for clients charged with these serious offenses
Where Are You Most Likely to Get Pulled Over for a Fake or Fictitious Plate in New Jersey?
Police enforcement is especially aggressive near Turnpike rest stops and E-ZPass toll crossings, where automated license plate readers and police spot checks are common. This is because most drivers are either stopped or going slower then the normal highway speed making these easier targets for police to catch offenders. We handle all of NJ so no matter where you got your charge or ticket in NJ we can help.
High-Risk Areas Include:
New Jersey Turnpike Rest Stops (Often Patrolled):
- Oldmans Township – Clara Barton, John Fenwick
- Cherry Hill Township – Walt Whitman
- Mount Laurel Township – James Fenimore Cooper
- Hamilton Township – Richard Stockton, Woodrow Wilson
- Cranbury – Molly Pitcher
- East Brunswick – Joyce Kilmer
- Woodbridge Township – Thomas Edison, Grover Cleveland
- Secaucus – Alexander Hamilton
- Ridgefield – Vince Lombardi
Obviously due to the amount of traffic the northern most rest areas from Cranbuy NJ and North tend to have the most tickets written.
E-ZPass Toll Bridges and Tunnels Where Drivers Often Face Plate-Related Stops in New Jersey:
- Delaware Memorial Bridge – Oldmans Township
- Walt Whitman Bridge – Gloucester City
- Betsy Ross Bridge – Pennsauken
- Tacony–Palmyra Bridge – Palmyra
- Burlington–Bristol Bridge – Burlington
- Trenton–Morrisville Bridge – Trenton
- Milford–Montague Bridge – Montague
- Delaware Water Gap Bridge – Columbia
- New Hope–Lambertville Bridge – Lambertville
- George Washington Bridge Fort Lee
- LIncoln Tunnel - Secaucus and Weehawken
- Outerbridge Crossing – Perth Amboy
Why Hire Attorney H. Scott Aalsberg?
- Named Top 10 Criminal Lawyer by NACDA and Top 25 Motor Vehicle Lawyer by the National Trial Lawyers
- Over 12,000 Traffic Ticket and Criminal Charges Downgraded or Dismissed Since 1993
- Deep experience with NJ Turnpike and toll-related traffic stops
- Aggressive, court-tested defense strategies to Win or Reduce Your Charge
Questions & Answers
Call a traffic defense attorney like Attorney H. Scott Aalsberg immediately. Officers at rest stops like Molly Pitcher (Cranbury) or Vince Lombardi (Ridgefield) often use scanners to detect fake or mismatched plates it takes then only seconds to find your improper tage. Don’t admit guilt — talk to an attorney first.
Yes, in many cases. Attorney Aalsberg may be able to challenge the stop, the evidence, or the way the citation was handled. Dismissals are possible depending on the facts.
Absolutely. E-ZPass-equipped toll plazas like those on the Lincoln Tunnel, George Washington Drive or Delaware Memorial Bridge often use automatic license plate recognition (ALPR) technology. If your plate is flagged, you may receive a notice by mail or be pulled over at the next stop.
Yes, a fictitious plate charge in New Jersey can result in up to 60 days in the county jail. However, being charged doesn't mean you lack a defense—an experienced lawyer may be able to eliminate the potential jail time.
Get Legal Help Now — Fight Your Fictitious Plate Charge
Time matters. Whether you were stopped in Hamilton, Woodbridge, East Brunswick, or at the GWB in Fort Lee, Attorney Aalsberg can help you avoid the penalties you face. Put Attorney Aalsberg's 98% success rate to Win, Reduce or Eliminate the penalties to work for you to get the best result!
Call 1-800-9-RIGHTS to Book Your Free In Office Consultation Today.
Additional Criminal Charges Are Also Possible
In some cases, a fictitious plates ticket in NJ can lead to other criminal charges, such as:
- Theft of Services (N.J.S.A. 2C:20-8): If the fake plate was used to avoid tolls, you may be charged with theft of services, a criminal offense.
- Criminal Mischief (N.J.S.A. 2C:17-3): Altering or damaging a license plate — such as blacking out letters or numbers — could lead to destruction of government property charges.
These charges can be filed up to 5 years after the incident. Many people wrongly assume that if no charges are filed at the time of the stop, they’re safe. In reality, criminal complaints can be mailed to you at any time within the statute of limitations.
Don’t Face a Fictitious Plate Charge Alone — We Can Help
A fictitious plates offense in NJ can lead to lasting consequences, including a permanent criminal record, high fines, and jail time.
We’ll work to:
- Get your charges dismissed or downgraded
- Avoid or reduce jail time and fines
- Protect your driving record and criminal record
98%* Success Rate For All NJ Fictitious Plate Charges To Win Reduce or Eliminate the Penalties
Call Now for a Free Consultation
Don't wait — the sooner you get experienced legal help, the better your chances of a successful outcome for your charge.
Call 1-800-9-RIGHTS or (732) 257-5040 now to setup your free in office consultation and learn how we can help, Win, Reduce or Eliminate the charges and penalties you face. The call is free but the results may be priceless.
Understanding The Law And The Offense:
A fictitious plate is generally considered a license plate that does not accurately represent what should be on the vehicle's registration or a plate that is intentionally altered to appear different from the real plate. This can include covering the plate or modifying the numbers or letters to look like something else—for example, your plate starts with a letter "P", but you put paint on it to make it look like a letter "B"
People often get in trouble with this offense when trying to avoid paying tolls, such as E-ZPass fees. Others commit this offense believing that if their license is suspended, they can hide this fact from the police by using a plate from a friend's or family member's car. However, with today's license plate scanners in police vehicles, it is nearly impossible to get away with this.
The last group of offenders are those who purchase new cars and think they can simply transfer the plate from their old car to the new one, assuming they will register the vehicle at the Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC) when it opens the next day.
Regardless of the situation, you are subject to the same penalties: up to 60 days in jail and a $500 fine. The judge may offer an alternative sentence to jail time, such as 60 days of community service. However, for many people, this is not a desirable option, as the assigned jobs often take place in less favorable locations like the local recycling center, municipal garbage dump, or cleaning the municipal building.
What Attorney Aalsberg Can Do To Help You!
If you're guilty of this offense which most of our clients are: Don't worry in 98% of the cases Attorney H. Scott Aalsberg, Esq. has handled, he has eliminated, reduced, or dismissed this offense from his clients records. Sure you may still face a fine of up to $500, but a fine is a small price to pay compared to more severe consequences such as jail time or community service for the next 60 days.
Your time is priceless, and nothing is more important than protecting it, you can make more money but you can never replace your time. Attorney Aalsberg's proven track record means you're putting your future in the hands of someone who knows how to fight aggressively and win. No attorney can guarantee a future result, but with Attorney Aalsberg's 98% success rate, you have the very best chance to come out on top.
Don't leave your fate to chance-call Attorney Aalsberg at 1-800-9-RIGHTS today and take the first step toward protecting your freedom and your future. The call is free, the in office consultation is free, but the results may be priceless to you!
Free In Office Consultation 1-800-9-RIGHTS
We Can Help You Win, Reduce or Eliminate the Penalties Even if Guilty! 98%* Success Rate
In General Most Violations For This Offense Fall Under Three Categories
- Providing False or Misleading Information: A fictitious plate is one that doesn't accurately reflect the vehicle's registration details such as displaying the incorrect number, or state of registration has been altered or faked.
- Obscuring or Altering Plates: Even if the plate is a valid New Jersey plate, it can be considered fictitious if it's obscured, altered, or intentionally made to appear different from its original state. This is commonly done by putting a license plate cover on the plates which are sold online. For example In NJ your not allowed to cover your license plate if it alters the visibility of the license plate in any way
- Using a Fake or Counterfeit plates: Using a fake or counterfeit license plate most commonly occurrs when someone buys a plate online and puts it on their car
Call 1-800-9-RIGHTS For A Free In Office Consultation
* Attorney H. Scott Aalsberg has a 98%* Success rate of winning, reducing or eliminating the penalties for first time offenders for NJ Fictitious Plates Tickets.
Best Defense Strategies + Top Rated Lawyer = Best Result
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* Attorney H. Scott Aalsberg has a 98%* Success rate of winning, reducing or eliminating the penalties for first time offenders for NJ Fictitious Plates Tickets.