Medford Township Municipal Court
91 Union Street
Medford, NJ 08055
Phone: (609) 654-8813
Fax: (609) 654-6132

Office Hours
Monday through Friday
9:00 a.m.- 4:30 p.m.

• What is Municipal Court?
• Mission, Vision and Core Values of the Judiciary
• Cases heard in Municipal Court are divided into Four General Categories
• What happens on your day in Court?
• Mediation of Minor Disputes
• Violations Payments
• Directions to Court
• Other Related Links
• Frequently Asked Questions
• 2010 Court Schedule

What is Municipal Court:

It is through the Municipal Courts that most citizens in the State come into contact with the judicial system, either as a defendant, a victim, or a witness. Since most citizens will never appear before another court, it is from their experience in the Municipal Courts that most people base their conclusions about the quality of justice in New Jersey. The Municipal Courts in New Jersey are considered courts of limited jurisdiction, having responsibility for motor vehicle and parking tickets, minor criminal-type offenses (for example, simple assault and bad checks), municipal ordinance offenses (such as dog barking or building code violations) and other offenses, such as fish and game violations. A Municipal Court usually has jurisdiction only over cases that occur within the boundaries of its municipality. Many serious criminal cases, such as robbery, auto theft, or assault, start out as complaints filed in the Municipal Court but those cases are transferred to the Superior Court located at the county courthouse.

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Mission, Vision and Core Values of the Judiciary:

Mission Statement

We are an independent branch of government constitutionally entrusted with the fair and just resolution of disputes in order to preserve the rule of law and to protect the rights and liberties guaranteed by the Constitution and laws of the United States and this State.

Vision Statement

We will be a court system, characterized by excellence, that strives to attain justice for the individual and society through the rule of law. We will:

• Provide equal access to a fair and effective system of justice;
• Offer complementary methods of dispute resolution;
• Provide quality service that continuously improves public expectations;
• Maintain the independence of the Judiciary while strengthening relations with the public, the bar, and the other branches of government;
• Acknowledge and enhance the potential of every person in our organization to contribute to the administration of justice through participation, training, and technology;
• Share a sense of common identity and purpose as a statewide Judiciary;
• Earn the respect and confidence of an informed public, and
• To ensure that all are treated with courtesy, dignity, and respect.

Statement of Core Values

Required to accomplish our mission are four paramount values representing the core of what we stand for as an organization:

• Fairness
• Integrity
• Independence
• Quality Service

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Cases heard in Municipal Court are divided into Four General Categories:

• Violations of Motor Vehicle and Traffic Laws(Title 39);
• Violations of Disorderly and Petty Disorderly persons offenses (criminal cases which may result in fine or jail);
• Violations of Fish and Game Laws, Parks and Forests, Weights and Measures, SPCA, Boating Regulations, and
• Violations of Municipal Ordinances (local laws).

More serious offenses,known as indictable offenses, are sent to the County Prosecutor's Office.  The County Prosecutor decides whether to present the case to a Grand Jury or to return to the case back to the Municipal Court as a less serious offense.

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What happens on your day in Court?

"Your Day in Court Brochure (click here)"
Before going into the court room, you must sign in at the court window.  Roll call is taken at the start of each court session. Once roll call is completed, the Judge will give an opening statement prior to the start of the court session explaining court procedures and rights of the defendants. This statement shall not, however, be a substitute for the Judge advising individual defendants of their rights prior to their respective hearings. 

Cases that are scheduled  by the court are to be heard in order as controlled by the New Jersey Court Rules.  The  court shall  follow this order as closely as possible.

The order in which cases are called:

1. Requests for postponements(cases to be reschedule for another court date);
2. Unlitigated motions;
3. Arraignments (advising defendants of rights/penalties);
4. Pleas;

a. Guilty pleas:

1. Where defendant is represented by an attorney
2. Where defendant is not represented by an attorney

If the defendant pleads guilty, the Judge will ask questions regarding the offense charged to make sure that there is a basis for a guilty plea,enter a guilty finding and sentence the defendant according to the statue.

b. Not Guilty pleas:

1. Where defendant is represented by an attorney
2. Where defendant is not represented by an attorney

If the defendant pleads not guilty and all involved parties are present, the case will proceed to trial.  The State (Prosecutor) and the Defense (Attorney or Defendant) will both present their case to the Judge.  Once both parties have finished with presenting their case, closing statements will be made.  Once the Judge has heard all the testimony, the Judge will decide whether the defendant is guilty, not guilty or if the case should be dismissed.  If the defendant pleads guilty or is found guilty at the end of the trial, the Judge will then impose a sentence.

    5. Litigated motions;
    6. Contested matters with an attorney, and
    7. Other contested matters.

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Mediation of Minor Disputes:

Mediation is a process that seeks to resolve disputes through the intervention of a trained mediator, without pursuing a matter through the courts to trial and conviction. The mediator encourages discussions between the parties to help them reach an agreement they can both accept. The types of complaints sent to mediation generally include citizen complaints involving disputes between individuals or groups. These are commonly referred to as “neighborhood disputes”. Not all complaints can be referred to mediation. For example, motor vehicle matters and matters arising under the Prevention of Domestic Violence Act cannot be resolved using the mediation process.

Mediation offers benefits, including: establishing early, direct communications and understanding between the parties about the important issues of each side; the result may benefit all of the parties and provide a win-win solution; and mediation can be less expensive, more relaxed and a more meaningful alternative to the traditional trial process. Mediation is available in all municipalities and is made possible largely because of the efforts of trained volunteers who are the mediators. As indicated by the Chief Justice, one of the keys to the future of the Municipal Court system, and, indeed, a key to the future of the entire Judiciary, is the continued use and expansion of mediation and other community dispute resolution programs. This grass roots citizen involvement in the administration of justice is a particularly effective means to keep the Municipal Courts close to the communities they serve.

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Violations Payments:

The violation bureau window is open to the public from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday to make a payment.  Forms of payment accepted:  cash, check, money orders or credit card (Visa and MasterCard only). Credit card payments must be made in person and can not be taken over the telephone.  Payable violation payments can also be made via the internet at:  WWW.NJMCDIRECT.COM(Visa and MasterCard only).    

If you are unable to make a payment in person and do not wish to use regular mail, there is a drop off box located on the left side of the violation bureau window. If dropping off a payment after hours, please do not leave cash.

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Directions to Court:

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Other Related Links:

Burlington County Superior Court web page
MVC Web Page(Visit here) | Medford Twp. Local Payable Offenses