The majority of charges written in Monroe New Jersey fall within the jurisdiction of its municipal court. The Monroe Municipal Court has authority to deal with disorderly persons offenses, traffic tickets and municipal ordinance violations. The defense lawyers at our firm are highly experienced in defending any charge you may be facing in this venue.
Although cases heard in municipal courts are less serious than charges at the Middlesex County Superior Court, there can nonetheless be significant consequences if you are convicted. You can be fined and face many other consequences, possibly even jail, if it is for DWI, driving while suspended, driving without insurance or for a criminal charge like simple assault, harassment, obstructing the administration of law or marijuana possession. An experienced lawyer can reduce or eliminate your risk of being subjected to the consequences of a municipal conviction.
On firm, the Law Offices of Jonathan F. Marshall, is ready to undertake the defense of charges in Monroe Municipal Court. Our lawyers have over 100 years of combined experience appearing in this court and also includes former prosecutors in the county. An attorney with the skill to thoroughly defend your case is available 24/7 for a free consultation. Call 732-246-7126 to speak to one of our attorneys immediately.
Criminal & Traffic Offenses in Monroe Municipal Court
The municipal court system in Monroe is responsible for resolving all disorderly persons offenses, municipal ordinance violations, and motor vehicle charges, including very serious matters like driving without insurance, driving while intoxicated and driving on a revoked license. However, it does not handle indictable or felony level offenses and, after the initial arraignment, these matters are referred to the County Superior Court, which has jurisdiction over such matters. The municipal court in the township also lacks jurisdiction to deal with Monroe Juvenile charges (persons under 18 years of age). Examples of charges handled in Monroe Municipal Court include:
- Marijuana Possession (50 grams or less)
- Simple Assault
- Harassment
- Shoplifting
- Disorderly Conduct
- Obstructing the Administration of Law
- Shoplifting
- Speeding
- Driving While Suspended
- Driving Without Insurance
- DWI
- Possession of CDS in a Motor Vehicle
- Reckless Driving
- Possession of Drug Paraphernalia
A municipal court has jurisdiction over offenses that occur within the geographical boundaries of the relevant municipality, including violations issued by state police and other outside law enforcement agencies. This includes offenses tickets issued by State Troopers on the New Jersey Turnpike or Garden State Parkway, so long as the violation occurred within the geographical limits of the municipality.
Statute of Limitation on Municipal Charges
The deadline for filing a municipal charge depends on the type of municipal offense being charged. Pursuant to New Jersey criminal statute N.J.S.A. 2C:1–6(b)(2), the state has 1 year from the date of the violation to file a charge related to a disorderly persons offense. The only exception to this rule is when the charge has been downgraded to a disorderly persons offense from an indictable or felony level offense. The statute of limitation is generally 30 days for traffic violations, but is 90 days for driving while intoxicated, refusing a breath test, and driving while suspended. For leaving the scene of an accident, the statute of limitation is 1 year.
Penalties For a Municipal Offense
Municipal offenses are not as serious an indictable or felony level offenses, but can still have severe consequences. If convicted, you will face stiff fines, community service and, pursuant to N.J.S.A. 2C:43-2, you may even face being incarcerated in a county jail for a period of up to 6 months. In addition, you may be ordered to make restitution to the victim(s) of your crime. If convicted of a petty disorderly person offense, you can be fined as much as $500 and/or sentenced to up to 30 days in a county jail. For a disorderly persons offense, you can be fined up to $1,000 and incarcerated for up to 6 months in a county jail.
The fines imposed for various traffic violations are listed under New Jersey Statutes Title 39 – Motor Vehicle and Traffic Regulations. Penalties may also be enhanced in cases involving repeat offenders and drug charges like possession of marijuana, as well as, for crimes that take place in proximity of a school or public facility. In addition, if the offense took place while you were operating a motor vehicle, your driver’s license can be suspended for up to 2 years.
Monroe Township Municipal Court Lawyer
When you are charged with a municipal offense in Monroe or anywhere else, you are to be presumed innocent of the charge until the state can prove your guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. This is one of your fundamental rights. You also have the fundamental right to be represented by an attorney at every step of the process and you should make every effort to exercise this right. It’s never a good idea to go to court without a lawyer since a trained advocate is better equipped to defend your interests.
The Law Offices of Jonathan F. Marshall can provide you with quality representation in Monroe Municipal Court. Our attorneys are experienced litigators with decades of experience handling municipal court offenses to utilize in achieving a downgrade or dismissal of your offense. If we cannot resolve your municipal court case by means of a plea bargain, we have the skills to successfully try your case before the municipal court judge in Monroe.
Often, people charged with traffic offenses or criminal offense are at risk of receiving points on their driver’s license, having their insurance premiums go up, or with regard to criminal charges, going to jail. Our goal, therefore, is to reduce or eliminate any points you face and to ensure that going to jail is not a possibility in your case. For assistance with a municipal court case in Monroe, New Jersey, give our East Brunswick office a call at (732) 227–1200 or contact us here online to arrange an initial consultation.
