New Jersey enforces several minor laws related to jaywalking, littering, and other everyday behaviors that many people violate without realizing. These infractions often carry fines but rarely jail time unless repeated. Pedestrians and drivers alike can face citations for actions taken for granted in daily routines.​
Jaywalking Rules
Pedestrians must use crosswalks at signalized intersections and obey pedestrian signals, or face a $54 fine per offense. Crossing outside designated areas without yielding to traffic counts as jaywalking, a minor infraction aimed at preventing collisions.​
Motorists failing to yield at crosswalks risk $200 fines, community service, and two license points.​
Littering Penalties
Dropping small litter on public or private property is a petty disorderly persons offense with minimum $100 fines up to $500, plus possible community service. Repeat offenses within six months raise fines to $250–$1,000 and may include up to 60 days in jail or 40–80 hours of litter cleanup service.​
Throwing litter from vehicles incurs a $230 fine under motor vehicle statutes.​
Pet Waste Laws
Dog owners must immediately remove pet waste from public property or others’ lawns, with local fines up to $1,000–$2,000 depending on the municipality. Failure violates “poop and scoop” ordinances, which apply statewide but vary by town.​
Other Daily Infractions
Not wearing a front-seat seatbelt results in a $46 fine without points or insurance hikes. Bicycling on sidewalks is allowed statewide unless locally prohibited, but cyclists must yield to pedestrians and use a bell.​
Improper parking or abandoning vehicles carries $54–$500 fines, while throwing substances on highways warrants $100–$500 penalties.
