MUNICIPAL COURT
Frequently Asked Questions
- I received a notice that says "I have a Virtual Court Hearing," what do i do?
- If you receive a notice that says you have a Virtual court hearing, please contact the court ASAP. The court will need your phone number and email address. The court uses the TEAMS platform for court sessions. The link will be emailed to you the day prior to your court date.
- You can watch the New Jersey Municipal Court Opening Statements, prior to your court date.
- What is Mediation?
- Municipal Court Mediation
It is through the Municipal Courts that most citizens in the State interact with the judicial system, either as a complainant, a defendant, a victim, or a witness. The Municipal Court Mediation (MCM) program provides court users in nearly all municipalities with an alternative to having certain cases heard and decided by a judge (traditional litigation). Endorsed by the New Jersey Supreme Court, Municipal Courts refer cases involving "minor disputes" to be handled through the mediation process.
Mediation is a structured, non-adversarial process that allows a neutral third party to assist disputing parties in reaching a mutually acceptable solution. The mediation process can be a less expensive, informal, and a more meaningful alternative to the traditional trial process, largely because of the efforts of trained volunteers and the resolution being decided by the participants.
Community members are recruited, carefully screened, trained, and appointed as court volunteers to mediate cases of minor dispute. Basic mediation and conciliation training (an 18-hour course) is required of all volunteers prior to appointment. As a neutral party, a mediator helps court users discuss the issues of their case and explore options to resolve the dispute themselves. The typical types of cases handled through the intervention of a trained mediator include, but are not limited to: simple assaults that do not include personal injury, trespass, harassment, creating a disturbance, animal or pet complaints, annoying phone calls, property disputes, non-payment of bills, bad checks, and criminal mischief. On average, volunteer mediators devote between two and six hours per month.
- Municipal Court Mediation
- Can I dispute my ticket online?
- YES! Online ticket review to dispute certain moving violations through the Online Municipal Case Resolution System. By having a moving violation reviewed online, it is not necessary to make a court appearance. Simply, visit www.njmcdirect.com and enter your ticket information to see if your offense is eligible, and select the option for Case Dispute. Eligible traffic tickets will be reviewed by the prosecutor and you will be notified with their recommendation. To see if you are eligible to have your matter reviewed please visit www.njmcdirect.com.
- YES! Online ticket review to dispute certain moving violations through the Online Municipal Case Resolution System. By having a moving violation reviewed online, it is not necessary to make a court appearance. Simply, visit www.njmcdirect.com and enter your ticket information to see if your offense is eligible, and select the option for Case Dispute. Eligible traffic tickets will be reviewed by the prosecutor and you will be notified with their recommendation. To see if you are eligible to have your matter reviewed please visit www.njmcdirect.com.
- What happens if I missed my court date?
- When you fail to pay your summons or call the court office or dispute your ticket online, by the ”appearance date” on your ticket, you will be in “failure to appear”. Your case will be rescheduled with a new court date and you must contact the court and let the court staff know how you will be pleaing to your summons. Once that is determined the court staff will let you know how to proceed.
- When you fail to pay your summons or call the court office or dispute your ticket online, by the ”appearance date” on your ticket, you will be in “failure to appear”. Your case will be rescheduled with a new court date and you must contact the court and let the court staff know how you will be pleaing to your summons. Once that is determined the court staff will let you know how to proceed.
- If I can plead guilty without going to court, how much will I have to pay?
- You can log on to www.njmcdirect.com to view your ticket and pay it online. Or you can log on to the Violations Bureau Schedule to find your violation. Statewide Violations Bureau Schedule (Updated on July 29, 2021) (njcourts.gov)
- The amount of the fine is in the Statewide or Local Violations Bureau Schedules. These schedules are available for review at the Municipal Court office. The Statewide Violations Bureau Schedule is also posted on the Internet at www.njcourts.gov You may also call the Municipal Court office and ask directly.