Municipal Court

Union County NJ Municipal Court and Disorderly Persons Defense Attorney

Union County NJ Municipal Court and Disorderly Persons Defense Attorney

Local municipal courts can serve as venues for intimidating and time-consuming matters, some of which spell serious consequences, including jail sentences, periods of license suspension, significant fines, and permanent charges on your criminal record. These courts have limited jurisdiction over a variety of low-level criminal offenses, ranging from drug charges to simple assault; motor vehicle violations ranging from speeding to driving while intoxicated (DWI); and municipal ordinance violations such as littering and disturbing the peace.

Regardless of the specific offense for which you have been charged, it is extremely beneficial to have a knowledgeable attorney who can guide you through the legal process in municipal court. Further, it is incrementally more valuable to have an attorney who frequently appears in the specific court in which your case will be heard because he or she is likely to be more familiar with the nuances of court procedure and the individuals who operate within the court on daily basis.

For instance, Attorney Edward Cooper utilizes his extensive experience practicing in towns such as Linden, Cranford, Garwood, and Roselle Park, to more effectively advocate for his clients who face prosecution in these jurisdictions. To view a list of just some of the courts in which he regularly appears, access the Courts We Serve page.

If you or someone you love has been charged with a criminal offense or motor vehicle violation in Union, Middlesex, or Somerset counties, contact the law offices of Attorney Edward S. Cooper today at 908-481-4625 for a consultation. Also, click here to view some of the courts we often serve.

I want to discuss today about the municipal court practice. What does that mean? Municipal court or any and all violations. Traffic violations and some criminal matters in municipal court. All traffic violations are heard in the city or township where the violation has issued. That could be speeding tickets, that could be registration, driving on a suspended license.

What is DWI?

DWIs are quasi-criminal. We have a code in New Jersey; it´s called title 39. Title 39:4-50 is a DWI operating a vehicle under the influence of drugs or alcohol. It is technically considered a traffic violation though it does face quasi-criminal sanctions and penalties. We have handled many DWIs in this office. I am also the chief public defender for the city of Linden. I have been the ultimate public defender for the city of Linden for 20+ years. We have handled numerous traffic violations, DWIs. Municipal courts also does hear criminal matters involving assault and harassment.

Well, technically, under the New Jersey statute, you can be sentenced to jail on a criminal matter up to six months of incarceration. It does not happen often; however, it can happen if you have a criminal record. The penalties and fines are up to $1000 per criminal charge they called disorderly persons offense, so when someone says that they have been charged with a criminal matter in municipal court, they are referring to a 2C violation that is a criminal violation if you plea guilty to any of these criminal violations that are heard in a municipal court 2C violations as harassment, assault, shoplifting, theft that is still a criminal violation and it will be under criminal history.

Elizabeth NJ Disorderly Persons Defense Lawyer

Generally, the municipal court is the legal forum to address any of the aforementioned offenses that occur within the confines of the associated municipality. More serious crimes, known as felonies or “indictable offenses,” are transferred to the Superior Court in the county in which the alleged offense occurred for adjudication. In certain cases, felony charges will be reviewed by the county prosecutor’s office and remanded back to the municipal court. These instances often involve lower-level felonies, such as fourth-degree crimes, which are then downgraded to disorderly persons offenses.

Some of the most common criminal offenses and motor vehicle violations that are adjudicated in New Jersey’s Municipal Courts include:

Retain an experienced Linden Municipal Court Attorney Today

If you face a traffic violation or criminal matter in municipal court, I ask that you contact my office, and we will answer your questions. You can speak to my paralegal, and she will be happy to schedule an appointment.

If you live in n Rahway, Clark, Roselle Park, Garwood, Elizabeth, Cranford, Edison, and across New Jersey and face a contact a member of our firm today by calling at 908-481-4625.