Bridgeton, NJ Attorney for a Case in Municipal Court

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The Municipal Court is responsible for deciding the least offensive crimes in Bridgeton. While municipal court cases might be “minor” compared to serious criminal cases, you should be just as prepared to defend yourself.

Our lawyers have years of experience helping clients fight numerous matters handled in municipal court and can tailor your defense to your circumstances. Some convictions in the municipal court, like those for disorderly persons offenses, can result in jail time. Even if you are not incarcerated, you can still be fined thousands of dollars if found guilty. Our team can fight the evidence used against you and work with the prosecution to see if the case can be dismissed. If you already have a conviction from municipal court, we can help you determine if you qualify for expungement.

For a free case evaluation with our lawyers for cases in municipal court, contact the Lombardo Law Group, LLC at (609) 418-4537.

Types of Offenses the Bridgeton, NJ Municipal Court Decides

The criminal courts in Bridgeton and throughout New Jersey are split into multiple levels depending on the seriousness of the offense charged. Trials for major crimes are usually heard in superior courts, leaving the lower-level offenses to the jurisdiction of the municipal courts. The municipal courts decide relatively minor cases where the worst consequences are limited to a maximum of six months in jail. Still, you should work with our lawyers for a case in municipal court so you can defend against the worst outcomes. A conviction for even a minor charge can follow you for years.

In some cases, you might have received a ticket that required you to be in court at a later date. In other cases, you might have been released by a judge following an arrest on the condition that you appear in municipal court for your trial. Either way, a judge will decide your matter rather than a jury, who will also determine the sentence. That is why you should not take your defense in these cases lightly. Our team can help you with any of the following types of cases the municipal court handles in Bridgeton:

Traffic Violations

Traffic violations are among the most common offenses committed, so it makes sense that they make up a large portion of the court’s docket. Many drivers are falsely ticketed for speeding or driving on their phones. The municipal court is where these cases can be fought. Our team can help your defense by inspecting the equipment the police used to stop you or whether they had probable cause for the traffic stop in the first place. This can help keep points from being assessed on your driving record.

The municipal court will also hear more serious traffic cases where the driver was likely arrested. These include driving while intoxicated (DWI) and reckless driving. You could face jail time without a proper defense, especially if this is not your first offense.

Disorderly Persons Offenses

Disorderly persons offenses will also be decided at the municipal court level. These are lower-level offenses that other states refer to as misdemeanors. If your charge will not result in more than a year in jail, it is likely a disorderly persons offense. For instance, minor theft crimes like shoplifting and simple assault are usually charged at this level.

However, you could still face serious penalties even though these crimes are considered less serious. Some defendants will be required to spend 30 days in jail, while others could go away for up to six months.

Preliminary Hearings for Major Crimes

While the municipal court decides minor criminal cases, that does not mean that it does not have hearings for major crimes. Those charged with indictable crimes, as felonies are known in Bridgeton, will usually have their trials in the superior court. Because indictable crimes can result in more than a year in prison, defendants have the right to have their case tried by a jury there.

Still, many of these cases start in the municipal court. Many of the initial hearings and evidentiary arguments will be heard in the municipal court before moving to the superior court for trial. This means you will typically get bail, make your plea, and fight evidence in the municipal court. Cases for indictable crimes are not often decided in one hearing but can have multiple depending on the nature of the charges. Our lawyers can manage your defense from one court to another and negotiate with the prosecutor to see if a trial can be avoided.

Ordinance Violations

Ordinance violations are the lowest level of offenses the municipal court decides on. Each municipality in New Jersey, including Bridgeton, has a right to pass local regulations that are reasonable for the area. Fortunately, violations of local ordinances usually only result in fines rather than criminal punishment. Essentially, ordinance violations are much like low-level traffic tickets. They are still considered wrongdoings but not enough to rise to the level of a crime.

Common ordinance violations include littering, public intoxication, and disorderly conduct. While you will usually not face criminal charges for ordinance violations, fines can be up to $2,000, and in rare cases, community service can be ordered. Our team can investigate the basis for the violation and whether we can get it dismissed.

Why You Should Hire an Attorney Experienced with Municipal Court Cases in Bridgeton, NJ

You might not think getting a lawyer is worth it since the matters handled by the municipal court are “minor.” On the contrary, you can greatly benefit from the help of our team in a number of ways. Our lawyers will keep you informed of all court dates and be by your side at each one. For instance, we can argue for your release with little or no bail if you have a bail hearing. We will also make sure you are aware of your next court appearance and prepare you whether it is a preliminary hearing or a trial.

Most importantly, our attorneys will prepare your defense. When you are arrested or issued a citation, you should not speak to the police other than to give them basic information like your name and request an attorney. The sooner you get legal counsel, the more time you have to build your defense. Remember, some municipal court convictions can lead to jail, so it is just as important to take your defense seriously in these matters.

If you are convicted, our lawyers can explore further options. In some cases, we can appeal for a new trial at the superior court level. If an appeal is not possible, we can help determine if your conviction can be expunged from your record later.