Municipal Court

2022 Court Dates

January 6, 20, 27 - 8:30 am May 5, 19, 26 - 8:30 am September 1, 15 - 8:30 am
January 13 - 4:00 pm May 12 - 4:00 pm September 8 - 4:00 pm
February 3, 17, 24 - 8:30 am June 2, 16, 23 - 8:30 am October 6, 20, 27 - 8:30 am
February 10 - 4:00 pm June 9 - 4:00 pm October 13 - 4:00 pm
March 3, 17, 24 - 8:30 am July 7, 21, 28 - 8:30 am November 3, 17 - 8:30am
March 10 - 4:00 pm July 14 - 4:00 pm November 10 - 4:00 pm
April 7, 21, 28 - 8:30 am August 4, 18, 25 - 8:30 am December 1, 15, 22 - 8:30am
April 14 - 4:00 pm August 11 - 4:00 pm December 8 - 4:00 pm

Municipal Court Sessions

Court sessions are held on Thursdays of each month unless it falls on the fifth Thursday or a holiday, then Court will not be held.

All court appearances are scheduled virtually through ZOOM (unless directed by the Judge to be held in-person). If the Court has your email and phone number, Zoom invites will be sent out the day before your Court date. Please contact the Court and provide your email address and phone number to ensure that you receive a ZOOM invite a week prior to your Court date to ensure we have the correct contact information.

Please check your email from the sender NJCourts.Gov. Often the ZOOM information gets sent to your SPAM or Junk box. If you don’t see it in your inbox, please check those boxes.

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.

Municipal Court

Mission, Vision and Core Values of the Judiciary

Mission Statement

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.

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.

Mission Statement

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

Municipal Court Sessions

Court sessions are held on Thursdays of each month unless it falls on the fifth Thursday or a holiday, then Court will not be held.

All court appearances are scheduled virtually through ZOOM (unless directed by the Judge to be held in-person). If the Court has your email and phone number, Zoom invites will be sent out the day before your Court date. Please contact the Court and provide your email address and phone number to ensure that you receive a ZOOM invite a week prior to your Court date to ensure we have the correct contact information.

Please check your email from the sender NJCourts.Gov. Often the ZOOM information gets sent to your SPAM or Junk box. If you don’t see it in your inbox, please check those boxes.

Opening Statement

The Honorable JMC Peter C. Lange will make an opening statement to all defendants NOT represented by an attorney. This statement will provide you with information on your rights. You may review the opening statement on YouTube (search for Municipal Court opening Statement) or by using the following QR code:

Municipal Court Opening Statement (English)

Municipal Court Opening Statement (Spanish)

Qr Code

Court Session Rules

While Court is in session, please respectfully conduct yourself as follows:

1) NO eating, drinking, smoking, or driving during court.

2) Please rename your device to your first and last name. If you DO NOT rename your device, you will wait longer then necessary to have your case reviewed or could be removed from the court session.

3) Please remain on mute unless the Judge calls your case.

4) Engage the video on your device if you are able.

5) There will be an opportunity to speak with the Municipal Prosecutor in a breakout room.

6) All fines and costs are due the day of court. If you require more time, please ask the Judge at that time for a payment plan (TPAY).

7) If you can’t afford an attorney, the Judge will ask you if you’d like to apply for the public defender for matters involving “consequences of magnitude-sentences that involve the following: jail, driver’s license suspension or fines greater than $800”.

8) If you require assistance of a language interpreter, please notify the Court PRIOR to your court date.

Frequently Asked Questions

You may speak with the Prosecutor only on your court date. After you have done your First Appearance with the Judge and if you would like to speak the prosecutor you will be moved into a breakroom to discuss your matter(s). The Judge is prohibited from speaking to either party prior to the disposition of the case.
No, when one summons is marked “Court Appearance Required”, all the summonses are then scheduled for court even if they are not marked as such.
The payment is due by the court date that is listed on the bottom of the summons.
Partial payments cannot be accepted through the violation’s bureau. In order to have a partial payment agreement, you must appear in court. However, a short extension period may be granted if you need more time to pay the summons in full.
Delinquent notices are generated each week for accounts that are past due or when a payment is received that is less than the amount that is owed. If the Judge arranged a payment schedule for you and you fail to submit a payment in accordance with that schedule, a notice will be sent to you. If you fail to maintain your payment schedule, it could result in suspension of your driving privileges and/or a warrant for your arrest.
Municipal Court Employees are prohibited from giving you this information. However, if you go to www.state.nj.us/mvc/ there is a listing of the points that are assessed for specific violations.

Violations Payments

The violation bureau window is open to the public from 9 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday (unless otherwise posted) to make a payment. Forms of payment accepted: cash, check, money orders or credit card (with photo id). Credit card payments must be made in person and cannot be taken over the telephone. Payable violation payments can also be made via the internet at: www.njmcdirect.com

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.

What Happens on Your Day in Court?

"Your Day in Court Brochure"
Once you have entered the Zoom meeting, 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.

Email

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:

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

Guilty pleas:

  • Where defendant is represented by an attorney
  • 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.

Not Guilty pleas:

  • Where defendant is represented by an attorney
  • 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.

  • Litigated motions.
  • Contested matters with an attorney, and
  • Other contested matters.

Additional Links

Contact Information

Judge

The Honorable Peter Lange, Jr.

Prosecutor

Christopher Koutsouris, Esq.

Public Defender

Daryl Kipnis, Esq.

Court Administrator

Stacy McBride, CMCA

Email: [email protected]

Medford Municipal Court (0321)
91 Union Street
(Public Safety/Police Bldg.)
Medford, NJ 08055

Phone: (609) 654-8813

Fax: (609) 654-6132

Office Hours:

Monday - Friday 9:00 a.m.- 4:00 p.m. (unless otherwise posted)

Court Sessions:

1st - 4th Thursday of each month.

1st Thursday - 8:30am

2nd Thursday - 4:00 pm

3rd/4th Thursdays - 8:30am

*unless otherwise posted -- see above link for schedule or click HERE

No postponements will be granted the week of court unless there is a medical emergency or family emergency. In which case documentation or a doctor's note will be required.

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