FAQs

Am I eligible for a public defender for my municipal court case?

Individuals must meet the following eligibility criteria for this service

The Judge must first determine if the defendant is charged with a crime of any other offense, including motor vehicle summons which can result in jail term or other consequence of magnitude. Consequence of magnitude is if at sentencing you would could possibly be sentenced to imprisonment, driver’s license suspension or a monetary sanction of greater than $800.00 by the court.
A finical questionnaire must be completed which ask for current employment status, salary, income and assets and then if you fall within the statewide eligibility guidelines to establish indigency. The finical questionnaire can be found on our website under Forms.

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Municipal Court

1. When is my court date? Do I have to appear in court?: Check your ticket. If it is checked court required you must appear on the day that appears on the ticket. If you are not required to appear but would like to appear to contest your ticket please call 609-799-0863 (Option 2) to speak to a court representative to enter your not guilty plea. The court representative will give you a court date and you will receive a notice in the mail to confirm that date.

2. When is my payment due?: On or before the “notice to appear date” on your ticket; you can pay your ticket with a check or money order and we also take payments online. If you appear in court your payment is due the day the Judge takes care of your case, we accept Visa, Master Card, Discover, MAC, checks, money orders and cash. Quickly pay your ticket online.

3. How much is my fine?: Check the back of your ticket if your violation is not listed you can call the court office at 609-799-0863, option 2. If payable, you can also look on the internet enter your ticket information and it will tell you how much your ticket is, you can pay your ticket online.

4. How many points will I receive for my violation?: Please look at the quick link for New Jersey Motor Vehicle Point Schedule if you do not see your violation please call Department of Motor Vehicles at 609-292-7500, the court does not assess points.

Individuals must meet the following eligibility criteria for this service

The Judge must first determine if the defendant is charged with a crime of any other offense, including motor vehicle summons which can result in jail term or other consequence of magnitude. Consequence of magnitude is if at sentencing you would could possibly be sentenced to imprisonment, driver’s license suspension or a monetary sanction of greater than $800.00 by the court.
A finical questionnaire must be completed which ask for current employment status, salary, income and assets and then if you fall within the statewide eligibility guidelines to establish indigency. The finical questionnaire can be found on our website under Forms.