EXCLUSIVE

NFL star Junior Galette -- who was just released by the Saints for off-the-field issues -- was charged with 3 misdemeanors in Louisiana stemming from a traffic stop gone wrong ... TMZ Sports has learned.

We've obtained court docs which show Galette was pulled over in his green Mercedes on July 7th -- but during the stop, cops say they noticed Junior was driving on a suspended license.

Cops also say he didn't have proper tags on his car at the time.

Ultimately, Galette was charged with 3 counts -- and has been ordered to appear in court on August 10th ... the same day he has a hearing in a civil case filed by a woman who accused him of domestic violence.