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What is the Municipal
Court?
The Municipal Court is a
local court created by state law, whose territory is confined to the
community in which it is located. Practice and procedures are
governed by New Jersey Court Rules. The Municipal Court
Judge is responsible for overseeing the administration of his or her
Municipal Court. The Assignment Judge of the Superior Court is
responsible for overseeing the administration of all of the
Municipal Courts in the counties.
There are 21 Municipal
Courts in Atlantic County and 15 in Cape May County. Each
municipality appoints its own Municipal Court Judge. Other court
personnel may include a Court Director, Court Administrator, Deputy
Court Administrator, Violations Clerk, and Sound Recorder.
What Types of Cases
are Heard in the Municipal Court?
Cases heard in Municipal
Court are divided into four general categories:
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Violations of motor
vehicle and traffic laws
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Violations of
disorderly and petty disorderly persons offenses
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Violations of Fish and
Games laws, Parks and Forests, Weights and Measures, SPCA and
Boating regulations
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Violations of
municipal ordinances (local laws)
More serious offenses,
known as indictable offenses, are arraigned in Municipal Court but
then sent to the County Prosecutor's Office. The County Prosecutor
decides whether to present the case to a Grand Jury or to return the
case to the Municipal Court as a less serious offense (a downgrade).
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