That experience tells me that a PA ticket will show up on your NJ record. The only time an insurance company is going to find out about tickets, etc. is when you are renewing, since that is when they check your record (if they ever are, I love my agent).
Do you know for a fact that your housemate's premium went up due to his ticket? I just got my renewal and my premiums changed, but due to reclassifications on our vehicles not driving records. I don't know how it works in NJ, but as far as I can tell the insurance companies are out to screw you guys every chance they get. I do know that I got an 80/65 ticket a few years ago (which is how I know 50/35 will be 3 PA points) and it never affected my insurance because my rates are determined by number of accidents, not tickets (as long as I don't get a biggie like DUI or reckless driving or something).
VASCAR tickets are relatively easy to beat. Just have to show that based on xxx distance, an error of xxx seconds (or parts of seconds) would have changed your measured speed to less than 45, at which point the officer would not be allowed to stop and ticket you. Just have to go find out how far apart the markers were for the VASCAR and determine what time 50 MPH is through there, and what time 44 MPH is through there and argue that a difference that small could simply be measurement (ie. human) error. Show up with charts and graphs and most judges will acquit you simply because you look like you know what you are talking about. Seriously, I have a friend that beat 2 tickets that way, and both times he was guilty. The tough part is that you have to go measure the area yourself. Just look for two white lines painted across the road you were travelling on.
