If you can just pay the fine, *and* the violation won't show up on your regular driving record, it is probably easier to just pay the $150 and be done with it.

However, if the ticket will affect your regular driving record (assuming, of course, you have a car, use it etc etc) I'd advise to hire a lawyer ASAP. You might have the ticket knocked down to something lower that won't affect your regular driving licence. The cost for the lawyer is WELL worth it, in my opinion, if you can have it not affect your auto insurance rates.

If you don't want to/feel like hiring a lawyer, and it will go onto your driving record, if you can go "car-free" for a while (cancel the insurance for the time the points will be on your record) and just leave the car in the garage or whereever, do that . That may actually be the cheapest.

I've got One ticket , ever, and read up on the law in NJ where I received the ticket, so I speak from experience.