A New Jersey resident has filed a federal lawsuit challenging the state’s E-ZPass system, alleging it operates as a “penalty-generation trap” that unfairly burdens motorists with excessive fines. Joshua James Devericks, representing himself and others similarly situated, lodged the complaint in the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey on December 2, 2025, targeting several entities including the New Jersey Turnpike Authority and Conduent State and Local Solutions, Inc.
The lawsuit accuses these defendants of engineering a toll collection system that covertly transforms minor toll discrepancies into significant financial penalties without adequate notice or opportunity for drivers to rectify issues. According to Devericks, this setup includes predatory enrollment practices where motorists are lured into E-ZPass membership under false pretenses of converting previous fines into account credits. However, once enrolled, members face harsher risks such as a rigid one-try debit rule and hidden algorithms that inflate replenishment amounts without proper disclosure. Devericks claims these policies lead to an accumulation of $50 penalties before any notification is mailed to drivers.
Devericks recounts his personal experience with two “avalanche” penalty events in 2024 and 2025 where he received violation notices totaling over $1,000 due to delayed notifications and systemic flaws. He argues that New Jersey’s penalty regime is significantly harsher than those in neighboring states like New York, which offer more lenient terms for resolving toll issues. The plaintiff contends that these practices violate constitutional rights under procedural due process and excessive fines principles.
The lawsuit seeks various forms of relief from the court including declaratory and injunctive relief to reform the E-ZPass system’s operations. Specifically, Devericks requests changes such as timely mailed notices for failed transactions, reasonable caps on penalties relative to actual toll usage, and an overhaul of the appeals process to ensure fairness. Additionally, he demands compensatory damages for financial losses incurred due to these alleged unlawful practices.
Representing himself pro se in this legal battle is Joshua James Devericks from Egg Harbor Township. The case is presided over by judges assigned under Case ID 1:25-cv-18090-ESK-SAK.
Source: 125cv018090_Devericks_v_New_Jersey_Turnpike_Authority_Complaint_District_New_Jersey.pdf
