There are well over 500 municipal courts scattered throughout the state of New Jersey, and generally, most towns have their own municipal court, including Margate. However, because there are so many municipal courts this can create confusion if a person receives a summons in the mail. In addition, because there are so many courts and you may have to appear in court a few days after receiving a ticket, defendants who have never interacted with the court system may feel overwhelmed.
Municipal courts will generally hear many of the lower level cases in New Jersey, however, that is not to imply that there will be no consequences. It is important that your interaction with the Municipal Court in Margate goes as smoothly as possible, so as to avoid any unnecessary convictions, fines, and penalties.
At the Law Offices of John J. Zarych, we have over four decades of experience handling disorderly persons offenses, we are always here to assist you and your loved ones in any criminal matter. You can call (609) 616-4956 to speak with the knowledgeable a defense attorney today.
Cases the Margate Municipal Court will hear
There are several different courts in New Jersey. Generally, the hierarchy of the courts is as follows:
• Supreme Court of New Jersey – The Supreme Court of New Jersey is the state’s highest court, authorized to review cases decided by lower courts. Many cases decided by the Supreme Court have a dramatic impact on how existing laws are interpreted and applied.
• Superior Court, Appellate Division – The Appellate Division handles appeals, or requests to higher courts to reverse the decisions of lower courts. For instance, a person can appeal a criminal conviction.
• Superior Court – Superior court handles charges of indictable crimes, which are equivalent to felonies in other jurisdictions. Homicide and aggravated assault are examples of indictable crimes that would be heard in superior court.
• Municipal Court – The municipal courts in New Jersey are courts of limited jurisdiction, meaning that they do not have the authority to hear cases unless it is expressly granted to them by the legislature or the Supreme Court of New Jersey. The jurisdiction of municipal courts in New Jersey is specified at N.J.S. 2B:12-17. Under this statute, municipal courts have jurisdiction over the following types of cases:
• Violations of county or municipal ordinances
• Violations of New Jersey motor vehicle and traffic laws
• Disorderly persons offenses, petty disorderly persons offenses and other non-indictable offenses except where exclusive jurisdiction is given to the Superior Court
• Violations of New Jersey fish and game laws
• Proceedings to collect a penalty where jurisdiction is granted by statute
• Violations of New Jersey laws regulating boating
• Any other proceedings where jurisdiction is granted by New Jersey statute
Being convicted of any of these offenses can have a disproportionate impact on your life. While these offenses are considered to be less serious than indictable offenses such as murder and aggravated assault, these offenses still come with severe consequences. For example, if you are convicted of violating a county or municipal ordinance, you can potentially face a fine of up to $2,000. In addition to a monetary fine for violating some county or municipal ordinances, certain ordinances allow the judge to impose up to a ninety-day jail sentence.
Even traffic offenses that are routinely heard in the Margate Municipal Court can come with long-lasting consequences that many people do not consider until it is too late. Some traffic offenses in New Jersey require that your license be suspended. Some of these offenses include driving without insurance, driving while intoxicated, leaving the scene of an accident. In addition to losing your license, you could potentially face a stay in the local jail for violating certain traffic codes.
Where is the Margate, NJ Municipal Court located?
If you have received a summons to appear in the Margate Municipal Court then you will need to appear at the Margate Municipal Court at:
9001 Winchester Ave
Margate New Jersey 08402
If you have any questions about court hours, procedures for submitting or obtaining legal documents, or any other aspects of a case or the judicial system, call the court in advance. You can also call (609) 616-4956 to speak with the knowledgeable defense attorneys at the Law Offices of John J. Zarych. With over four decades of experience handling disorderly persons offenses, we are always here to assist you and your loved ones.
Contact an Atlantic City Criminal Lawyer if You’re Concerned about an upcoming Municipal Court Case
If you or one of your family members was arrested for a disorderly persons offense in New Jersey, it’s important to take the charges seriously. DP offenses may carry lighter penalties than indictable crimes, but make no mistake: a conviction still has the power to result in heavy fines, months of incarceration, the temporary suspension of your driver’s license, mandatory community service, and the creation of a permanent record which can be accessed by potential employers.
However, with representation from a skilled criminal defense lawyer, it may be possible to beat the charges or obtain a conditional dismissal, which means you will be placed under supervision instead of being sentenced to jail. To arrange for a free and private consultation, call the Law Offices of John J. Zarych at (609) 616-4956 right away. Se habla español.
