How Do I Handle Municipal Court Matters?
Our New Brunswick Criminal Defense Attorney Explains
Being arrested and charged with a crime in New Jersey can significantly impact your life. Even if you aren’t convicted, a criminal accusation could ruin your reputation in your community and affect your entire future. As such, it is important to treat every criminal charge seriously and begin fighting these accusations aggressively from the start.
Our experienced New Brunswick criminal defense attorney can handle your case throughout the criminal process. From arrest to trial, we can defend anyone charged with a criminal offense in the New Jersey Municipal Courts.
What Is the Municipal Court?
In New Jersey, a municipal court will try most residents facing a crime. The municipal courts in New Jersey are courts of limited jurisdiction. That means they typically handle less serious cases that involve violations or crimes that occur within the boundaries of their own municipality. Other serious crimes, such as robbery or auto theft, may start in municipal courts, but they are often later transferred to the superior court located at the county courthouse.
A municipal court judge oversees the administration of that court. There are 24 municipal courts in Middlesex County alone.
- Carteret Municipal Court
- Cranbury TWP Municipal Court
- Dunellen Boro Municipal Court
- Edison TWP Municipal Court
- Helmetta Boro Municipal Court
- Highland Park Boro Court
- Jamesburg Boro Municipal Court
- Metuchen Municipal Court
- Middlesex Boro Municipal Court
- MilltownBoro Municipal Court
- Monroe TWP Municipal Court
- New Brunswick Municipal Court
- North Brunswick Court
- Old Bridge TWP Municipal Court
- Perth Amboy Municipal Court
- Piscataway TWP Municipal Court
- Plainsboro TWP Municipal Court
- Sayreville Municipal Court
- South Amboy Municipal Court
- South Brunswick TWP Court
- South Plainfield Municipal Court
- South River Municipal Court
- Spotswood Boro Municipal Court
- Woodbridge Municipal Court
Types of Municipal Court Matters
Numerous criminal charges are typically handled by the municipal courts, including, but not limited to:
- Traffic violations
- Assault (simple)
- Domestic violence
- DUI
- Shoplifting
- Drug Possession
- Bad Check Fraud
- Municipal ordinance offenses
- Fish and game violations
Possible Penalties
Some people mistakenly believe that defendants tried in a municipal court won’t face serious penalties and consequences. Nothing could be farther from the truth. Even a minor criminal or traffic offense can have serious and long-lasting consequences, including:
- Loss of driver’s license
- Negative reporting on DMV record
- Increase in insurance premiums
- Substantial fines and charges
- Jail time
- Community service
- Probationary period
- Restraining order
What Happens the Day of Court?
You must go to court if charged with a crime. Non-criminal matters such as fish and game violations, or parking tickets, can be paid through the mail or at the court office.
Individuals charged with crimes such as assault or shoplifting must appear in municipal court at the time and place indicated.
When you arrive in court, you will undoubtedly be nervous. Understanding what happens on your day in court and having an experienced and skilled criminal defense lawyer on your side will help alleviate some of the fear.
On your day in court, you can expect the following to occur:
- A roll call,
- The judge’s opening statement,
- Explanation of court procedures,
- Explanation of defendants’ rights and penalties.
- The judge will ask for your plea.
- If you plead guilty, the judge will ask questions to determine if there is a basis for the guilty plea.
- If you plead not guilty, the case will proceed to trial.
- The judge will hear testimony from both sides.
- The judge will determine if the defendant is guilty, not guilty, or if the trial is dismissed.
- If the defendant is found guilty, the judge will impose a sentence.
Contact Our New Brunswick Criminal Defense Attorney Today
No matter where your case goes to trial, the New Brunswick criminal defense attorneys at Spevack Law Firm are ready to fight for your rights. Criminal charges can adversely affect your entire life. You can avoid these consequences by having an experienced and knowledgeable criminal defense lawyer on your side from the start. With offices in Iselin and New Brunswick, we are here when you need us. Call us today at (732) 636-3030. We offer a free attorney consultation about your municipal court case.
