Practice Areas > Municipal Court

The Municipal Courts of the State of New Jersey are considered by some to be the most important courts in the New Jersey system.  The Municipal Court is considered a court of limited jurisdiction. Some of the more common charges heard in the Municipal Courts are:

  • Driving while intoxicated          
  • Reckless/careless driving
  • Driving with no insurance/license or registration
  • Driving while suspended
  • Speeding/failing to stop
  • Municipal Ordinance Violation
  • Domestic Violence
  • Drug Possession
  • Disorderly Person Offense
  • Loitering/Trespass
  • Unpaid parking tickets

Motor vehicle and minor criminal violations committed within the State of New Jersey can have serious consequences for New Jersey residents and visitors.  A guilty plea can cost hundreds of dollars in insurance and motor vehicle agency surcharges, possible loss of one’s driver’s license, community service and/or jail, and a permanent criminal record.  It is important to have representation for many of these matters if charged with an offense. 

The Law Office of Lloyd E. Bennett is able to help you navigate through the Municipal Court process, and we will obtain the best possible result, whether it’s via plea or trial.  In many cases, we are able to discuss the violation with the Municipal prosecutor prior to the trial and negotiate a lesser charge that will have minimal impact.

The maximum penalty that can be imposed by a Municipal Court Judge is six (6) months in county jail and/or loss of license to drive for a predetermined period of time. Some offenses require mandatory confinement.  If subject to jail, note there are work release and bracelet monitoring programs available for certain offenses and/or sentences served on the weekends. If a license is suspended, there are no temporary licenses available for work.  Any offense that is more serious -- such as robbery, auto theft, or  assault -- starts out as a complaint filed in the Municipal Court and is later transferred to the Superior Court located at the County courthouse for further processing.  Some cases are eventually downgraded by the Prosecutor and are sent back to Municipal Court. 

Many of the Municipal Court fines and penalties for offenses can be found on the  Minimum Mandatory Fines  report and Penalties Schedule. The schedule includes only those motor vehicle offenses that carry minimum fines and penalties or those that carry a specified range of fines and penalties. Motor vehicle offenses that carry only maximum penalties are not included. Please note that court costs and mandatory assessments are not included in the fine amounts. The revisions are current through August 9, 2004 and are subject to change.

We represent client’s charges with Municipal Court violations throughout Northern New Jersey.  We offer free initial consultations and, if retained, offer fair prices and results.  Contact us today!