Back in October of this year, the N.J. Attorney General sent a directive to all municipal prosecutors stating that anyone driving under the GDL (Graduated Driver's License) program would not be entitled to plea bargains for moving violations. In other words, if a "Cinderella" operator were charged with speeding or another traffic violation, then the case would go to trial or there would be a guilty plea.
Seems pretty clear, but an issue has arisen. What happens when an operator is a graduated driver, but is no longer under 18 years of age? Theoretically, a GDL driver could have gotten a late start and still not have a full privilege license when they turn 19 and even older.
Arguably, the rationale for the "no plea rule", as explained by the Governor's Teen Driving Study Commission (which led to the AG's directive), was to monitor and protect teens. So, there is merit in the position that adults (meaning someone over 18 years of age) should not be subject to the rule, even though they are graduated drivers.
As is often the case, different courts are interpreting the rule differently. Some judges are finding that adults can receive the benefits of plea bargaining and others are finding just the opposite.
