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THE CRIMINAL COURT SYSTEM IN NEW JERSEY

On Behalf of | Dec 15, 2015 | Criminal Law

The Criminal Court System in New Jersey

In New Jersey, unlike most other states, criminal offenses are not referred to as misdemeanors or felonies, but as disorderly persons offenses and indictable offenses.

The great majority of criminal cases in New Jersey are filed in the Municipal Courts, which are generally operated by townships, boroughs or cities. The criminal cases filed in the Municipal Courts are either traffic-related, or fall under the category of disorderly persons offenses. Indictable offenses, on the other hand, are prosecuted in Superior Court.

Municipal Court Offenses

The Municipal Courts have jurisdiction to hear four types of cases:

  • Traffic and motor vehicle infractions, from parking tickets to speeding or reckless driving, from operating a vehicle without a license to driving while intoxicated
  • Disorderly persons offenses-Typically, these are minor infractions, including possession of marijuana under 50 grams, petty larceny, and public lewdness, among a whole host of crimes
  • Violation of municipal ordinances, including housing, zoning and other local laws
  • Infractions involving the parks and forests, or state fish and game laws

Indictable offenses are arraigned in Municipal Court, but then sent to the local prosecutor, who determines whether the case should be taken to a Grand Jury (which will potentially return an indictment), or returned to Municipal Court with a downgrade to a lesser offense.

Superior Court Offenses

The Superior Court has jurisdiction over indictable offenses. Some of the common indictable offenses in New Jersey are:

Contact Mallon & Tranger

To learn more about your rights in a criminal matter, contact us online or call us at 732-702-0333 There is no charge for your first meeting. We have offices in Freehold and Point Pleasant.