New Jersey Criminal Defense Attorney Blog

Old Bridge Police issue an astonishing number of speeding tickets in the township. It is not uncommon for Old Bridge Police to issue 50 speeding tickets a day. If you receive a speeding ticket in Old Bridge, it is crucial not to simply pay the ticket and mail it in. Instead, call a local attorney familiar with the court to at least find out what your options are. Old Bridge Municipal Court holds court on Tuesday and Wednesdays at 9:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m.

Speeding is the leading cause of automobile accidents in New Jersey. Police across the State have therefore been under increased pressure to crack down on speeders. Old Bridge is no exception. As Old Bridge lies on the corridor between central jersey and New York City, tons of commuters traverse the town everyday. Main roads where most speeding tickets are issued in Old Bridge include Route 9, Route 18, Route 34 and Route 516.

Traveling in excess of the posted speed by 0-14 miles per hour carries 2 points. 15-29 carries 4 points. 30 and over the limit carries 5 points. Many judges in New Jersey will suspend the license of a motorist who speeds at an egregious rate of speed. Being convicted of speeding in New Jersey can affect your motor vehicle standing and cause insurance premium increases and surcharges. A local defense attorney can negotiate with the prosecutor in Old Bridge on your behalf to try to beat the ticket, or at least get it reduced. Old Bridge Municipal Court can be a somewhat intimidating place.

Howell Police and New Jersey State Police make a good amount of arrests for marijuana and drug paraphernalia in Howell Township. If you have been charged with any criminal offense in Howell Township, whether its marijuana possession, harassment, shoplifting or any other disorderly persons offense, call now to speak with a defense attorney familiar with the court.

Most Marijuana possession arrests in Howell Township occur after the defendant's vehicle is stopped for a traffic violation such as speeding, tailgating and passing a school bus. Many of these stops take place on Route 9, 33 and I-195. Howell also lies on the corridor leading to Lakewood, which has a more serious gang and drug problem.

On occasion, it turns out that the individual who was stopped was driving on the revoked list with a suspended New Jersey driver's license. This person may be arrested, and then searched incidental to the arrest. Any drugs or paraphernalia found will lead to new possession charges. Even if the person is not arrested for some other infraction, if the officer who stops the vehicle had a legitimate reason to do so, and then smells marijuana, the officer can ask for consent to search the vehicle. While you have the right to refuse, the officer can apply for a telephonic warrant. This often leads the suspect feeling he or she has no real choice. More often than not consent is given to the requesting officer.

Anyone charged with Possession of Marijuana or drug paraphernalia in Howell will be scheduled for a first appearance in the Howell Township Municipal Court. You should speak with an attorney before appearing to discuss your rights and legal options. Anyone convicted of possessing marijuana or paraphernalia in New Jersey is subject to a $1,000 fine, up to 6 months in jail, a minimum 6 month driver's license suspension and other penalties.

Howell drug charges are made against both adults and juveniles in the township. Call now to speak with a NJ drug charge lawyer.

Jackson Township, along with New Jersey State Police, make a substantial amount of arrests in Jackson Township for marijuana possession and possession of drug paraphernalia. The overwhelming majority of these arrests are made as a result of automobile searches. Some marijuana arrests are also made at Six Flags Great Adventure, which park is in the Jurisdiction of the Jackson Township Municipal Court.

If you have been arrested in Jackson, New Jersey for possession of marijuana, you will likely be processed and released with a complaint and summons to appear in the Jackson court within a week or so. This first court appearance is called an arraignment. At the arraignment, Judge Sahin will read you the charges as outlined by the complaint issued by the arresting officer. Judge Sahin is also the judge in Manchester Twp and Plumstead Twp courts as well. The judge will advise you of the potential consequences of the charges and tell you what your rights are.

Chief among these rights are your right to remain silent and your right to an attorney. The judge will then take your plea, either guilty or not-guilty. It is almost never advisable to plead guilty at your first appearance, and most judges will not allow you to do so. If you retain a criminal defense attorney before the arraignment, your appearance may be waived - meaning you will not have to attend.

Your attorney will then request all "discovery" (evidence) from the Jackson Township Police (or the New Jersey State Police). After reviewing the evidence with you, a good attorney will explain the various search and seizure issues that may exist in your case, explain your best options, and then fight to achieve the result you desire.

Old Bridge Police make a high number or arrests for marijuana and drug paraphernalia possession. This is in part due to Old Bridge being on the corridor from central jersey to New York City. Routes 9, 18, 34 and 516 bring heavy traffic through Old Bridge Township.

This heavy traffic brings lots of cars pulled over in Old Bridge. After pulling a vehicle over for a traffic violation such as speeding, tailgating, or passing a school bus, police will obviously approach the driver and ask for his or her credentials. Old Bridge police are well-trained to smell both raw and burnt marijuana. If, during a lawful stop, police smell the odor or marijuana, they may ask the driver for consent to search the vehicle.

As long as the refuse to consent was properly explained and consent was given voluntarily, the police may generally search the interior of the vehicle for drugs. Since marijuana is as popular as it is illegal in New Jersey, these stops often turn up the drug along with paraphernalia used to inhale it.

Possession of marijuana and drug paraphernalia are both disorderly persons offenses. A disorderly persons offense in New Jersey carries up to six months in jail and a $1,000 fine. They also carry a minimum driver's license suspension of 6 months. Note that there is no such thing as an "emergency" or "restricted" license in New Jersey. Suspended means suspended - no driving for any reason. Driving on the suspended/revoked list is also a very serious offense.

If you have been charged with possession of marijuana or drug paraphernalia in Old Bridge, New Jersey, call now to speak with an attorney familiar with the Old Bridge Court.

Lake Como Municipal Court (South Belmar)

Address: Lake Como Municipal Court
601 Main St, PO Box 569
Belmar, NJ 07719

Phone: (732) 681-8864
Fax: (732) 681-4728

The Honorable Mark T. Apostolou, J.M.C. has presided in Lake Como Court for years. Lake Como was formerly known as "South Belmar" court. Lake Como was first incorporated as "South Belmar" in 1924. Lake Como was cobbled together from pieces of present-day Wall Township in 1924. In 2004, South Belmar voters went to the polls n and approved changing the town's name to "Lake Como."

A surprising number of drunk driving arrests are made in Lake Como, particularly in the summer months. This may be due to Lake Como's proximity to Belmar and it's summer crowd. Route 71 and 35 traverse the town as well. Speeding and other New Jersey traffic tickets are also issued in Lake Como. Some criminal arrests for disorderly persons charges are also issued by Lake Como police.

About 400 families now call Lake Como home.

Howell Township Police are extremely active. Howell police make a great deal of arrests for marijuana possession and drug paraphernalia possession. To some extent, this is a result of the roads and highways that lead through Howell. Rt 9 and Route I-195 both traverse Howell Township.

Possession of Narcotics in a Motor Vehicle, in violation of N.J.S.A. 39:4-49.1 carries a two-year mandatory driver's license suspension. Possession of Marijuana, less than 50 grams, carries up to six months in jail, an $1,000 fine, a mandatory 6-month minimum driver's license suspension and a over $500 dollars in other mandatory penalties. Possession of drug paraphernalia also carries up to a $1,000 fine, a mandatory 6 month driver's license suspension and up to six months in jail.

If you have been charged with a marijuana or other drug charge in Howell, call to speak with an attorney familiar with the court. The Howell Township Court can sometimes be overwhelming. Luckily, both the judge and prosecutor are highly professional and fair.

Wall Township and New Jersey State Police Make lots of arrests for Marijuana Possession and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. This is due to the many highways that lead through Wall including the Garden State Parkway, Route 34 35, I-195 Typically, these result from police stop and searches of the defendant's vehicle.

Traffic infractions often give rise to Marijuana arrests, since the officer will invariably claim that they smelled marijuana emanating from the inside of the vehicle once they approach and ask for the driver's credentials. This often leads to the driver feeling bullied into granting the officer's consent to search the vehicle. Granting consent can usually undermine an effective illegal search argument, assuming the consent was given voluntarily, the right to refuse consent was explained, and a valid reason for the stop existed.

Nevertheless, Marijuana and Paraphernalia charges can be defended, and the consequences of those charges can almost always be mitigated by an experienced defense attorney. If you have been arrested in Wall Township, call now to speak with an attorney who regularly appears in Wall Court.

Tinton Falls police make a substantial amount of arrests for marijuana possession. This is because of the number of highways that run through the town. The Garden State Parkway, Route 18 and Route 537 all traverse Tinton Falls.

Typically, an officer stops a vehicle in Tinton Falls for a traffic violation such as speeding or tailgating. New Jersey police officers are well-trained to smell both burnt and raw marijuana. After the officer in Tinton Falls smells the odor of marijuana, this may be enough to justify asking the driver of the vehicle for consent to search the vehicle. Many marijuana arrests are made under similar sets of facts in Tinton Falls. The result, if less than 50 grams are found, will be a disorderly persons arrest which carries up to 6 months in jail, a $1,000 fine and a minimum driver's license suspension of 6 months.

If you have been charged with Marijuana or paraphernalia possession in Tinton Falls, call now to speak with a criminal defense attorney familiar with the court and possible defenses to the charges.

Directions to Tinton Falls Court.

State v. Bernard E. Lopez, ? N.J. Super. ?, 2010 N.J. Super. LEXIS ? (December 9, 2010) - "Because the trial court erroneously barred defendant from testifying in the second trial, thus depriving him of a fundamental constitutional right, we reverse the certain persons conviction, vacate the five-year sentence imposed and remand for a new trial on that charge.... This ruling was apparently premised on the judge's view that the trial on the certain persons charge was merely the second phase of the first trial, and that defendant's waiver of the right to testify in the first phase carried over to the second phase. That view was erroneous. Although it was heard by the same jury, the second proceeding was a separate trial, in which defendant retained all of his constitutional due process rights, including the right to testify.... Consequently, a waiver of the right to testify in the unlawful possession trial does not constitute a waiver of the right to testify in a later trial on a separate charge."

Call now for Legal Help in Old Bridge Court

Directions: From the North: Use NJTP to exit 11. Take Exit 11 to GSP South to exit 123 to Route 9 South. Take Route 9 to Route 516 East. Court will be on your left.

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Call an experienced New Jersey Defense attorney now for Help in Spring Lake Heights Court.

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Using Garden State Parkway: Use Exit 98 for Belmar. Go east on Route 138 to its end. Keep right and go south on Rt 35. At the Second traffic light make a left onto Allaire Road. Make a right onto Highway 71 at second light. Turn left on Brighton Ave.

Using Route 18: Take Rt 18 South until it ends at Rt 138. Go east on Route 138 to its end. Keep right and travel south on Rt 35. Make a left onto Allaire Road. Next traffic light right onto Hwy. 71. Turn left on Brighton Ave.

Spring Lake Heights Municipal Court (Monmouth County, New Jersey)

Address: Frank E. Adams Municipal Building
555 Brighton Ave.
Spring Lake Heights, New Jersey 07762

Phone: (732) 449 6566

The judge in Spring Lake Heights Court is the Hon. George C.Pappas, J.M.C. Known as "SLH" by locals, Spring Lake Heights is a Borough located in southeastern Monmouth County, on the shore of the Atlantic Ocean. About 5,300. Call the town home.

New Jersey Monthly magazine rated Spring Lake Heights the 28th best place to live in New Jersey. Police make plenty of DWI and criminal arrests for disorderly persons charges including harassment, assault, and marijuana possession. Lots of traffic tickets are issued on Route 35 and Route 71.

Keyport Municipal Court (Monmouth County, New Jersey)

Address: 70 W Front St
Keyport, NJ 07735

Phone: (732) 739-5155

Court sessions are held Wednesdays at 4:00 p.m. A lot of speeding and other traffic tickets are issued in Keyport due to its proximity to Route 35 and Route 36. Some DWI and criminal arrests, including assault, harassment and other New Jersey disorderly persons arrests are made in Keyport. The Keyport Municipal Court jurisdiction over traffic violations and minor criminal matters committed in the borough. Some more serious criminal matters are scheduled for arraignments (first appearances) in the court. Both police officers and private citizens can file complaints with the court administrators office. If it is a private citizen complaint, the court will then hold a probable cause hearing, and if probable cause is found, schedule the matter for trial. Anthony Vecchio is a local attorney who frequently appears in Keyport Municipal Court.

Keansburg Municipal Court (Monmouth County, New Jersey)

Address: Keansburg Municipal Court
29 church street
Keansburg, NJ 07734

Phone: (732) 787-0215
Fax: (732) 787-0917

The Judge in Keansburg court is the Honorable Michael Pugliese. The court administrator is Sharon Devaney. Court is held every Thursday at 8:30 a.m. and every 2nd and 4th Tuesday at 9:30. The court administrators office is open from 9 to 4 M-F, but window payments are only accepted 9-3:30 p.m. M-F. Keansburg police are kept very busy. A lot of New Jersey disorderly persons arrests for assault, harassment, shoplifting and marijuana possession are made in Keansburg. The boardwalk, while fun, often plays host to a lot of riffraff. DWI and other traffic summons including speeding tickets, are also issued in Keansburg.

Keansburg Borough was officially formed in 1917. The first Mayor was William W. Ramsay, who held two terms. Sand from the Raritan Bay was dredged out to make for solid ground upon which to build the foundation for the town. Carr Avenue was carved out as the first street through the town.

The town was traditionally known for steamboat manufacturing. This era came to a halt in 1962 when a hurricane destroyed the pier. Keansburg then became known as largely a summer vacation stop, boasting beaches, hotels, restaurants, the boardwalk and an amusement park. Over 10,000 people call Keansburg home. The town is located on the Raritan Bay, adjacent to Middletown, which has its own municipal court.

Barnegat Light Municipal Court

Address: 10 W. 10th Street
Barnegat Light, NJ 08006

Phone: (609) 494-9196

Barnegat Light is a small seaside community in eastern Ocean County, New Jersey. Few traffic and speeding tickets are issued. Even less DWI and criminal arrests are made in the town, with volume picking up in the summer months.

The town was formerly known as Barnegat City. But in 1948 was renamed Barnegat Light. The reason for the change was to honor the legacy of the then-recently decommissioned lighthouse and distinguish itself from Barnegat Township.

Barnegat Township Municipal Court (Ocean County, NJ)

Address: 900 W Bay Ave
Barnegat, NJ 08005

Phone: (609) 698-0080

Court sessions are held on the 2nd and 4th Mondays 9:30 am to 1:30 pm. The judge in Barnegat Twp court is the Hon. Phillip M. Miller, J. M.C. The prosecutor is Lionel Simon, Esq. The public defender is John J. Novak, Esq. The court administrator is Cindy Reeves. A lot of speeding and traffic tickets are issued in Barnegat township due to its proximity to Route 9 and the Garden State Parkway. Some DWI and disorderly persons arrests are also made in Barnegat Township.

About 1,200 people call Barnegat Township home. The township is located in central Ocean County, New Jersey. What is presently called Barnegat Township was originally known as Union Township. Old Union Township was formed in 1846, cobbled together from pieces of Dover Township and Stafford Township, which both have their own municipal courts. This was when the nearby land was still part of Monmouth County. It later joined the newer Ocean County in 1850. Other sections of Barnegat were ceded to Lacey Township, Ocean Township, Harvey Cedars, and Long Beach Township. The name was changed from Union to Barnegat Township as of January 1, 1977

Bay Head Municipal Court (Ocean County, New Jersey)

Address: P.O. Box 248
81R Bridge Avenue
Bay Head , NJ 08742

Phone: (732) 892-4737
Fax: (732) 899-6494

Court sessions are held on most Mondays at 4:00 p.m. (Sometimes Tuesday). Note that the court administrator's office is only open on Wednesdays from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m.

The judge in Bay Head Court is the Hon. Frank S. Salzer, J.M.C. The prosecutor is Joseph Coronato, Esq. Mr. Coronato is also the prosecutor in Jackson Municipal Court and other courts throughout Ocean County. The Public Defender is Roberta A. Burcz. The Court Administrator is Tracey E. McCrystal.

Bay Head Police write up some speeding and other traffic tickets, such as passing a school bus, tailgating and careless driving. A relatively small number of criminal and DWI arrests are also made in Bay Head.

Bay Head was formed in 1890 from pieces of what is now Brick Township, which has its own municipal court. The original planners of the town intended to name the area "Bayhead," in honor of the Bayhead Land Company that cultivated the acreage in the latter half of the 19th century. However, a railroad sign put up by the rail road company later erroneously tagged the station as "Bay Head." In 1886, the town adopted the new, formerly incorrect name, and never changed it again. The town is located in northeastern Ocean County at the head of the Barnegat Bay.

About 1,300 people call Bay Head home. It is a rather exclusive community. Bay Head and nearby Mantoloking are sometimes called New Jersey's "Gold Coast." Her Majesty Queen Noor of Jordan is perhaps Bay Head's most famous former resident.

Beach Haven Municipal Court (Ocean County, NJ)

Address: BOROUGH OF BEACH HAVEN
300 Engleside Ave.
Beach Haven, NJ 08008

Phone: (609) 492-4548
Fax: (609) 492-4499

The Beach Haven court is in session alternating Thursdays at 10:00 a.m. The judge in Beach Haven is the Hon. Adolph Sicheri. The court administrator is Carol R. Miller. The prosecutor is Nicolas Monaco, Esq. Beach Haven is a quiet seaside community in eastern Ocean County, New Jersey. Beach Haven police make some DWI and criminal arrests, mostly in the summer months, for crimes such as assault and harassment. Some traffic tickets, mostly speeding tickets, careless driving, reckless driving and for passing a school bus are also issued in Beach Haven.

Beach Haven was formed in 1890 from portions of Eagleswood Twp. The town was once known as "Queen City" and is home to about 1,500 people. The first attack in the wave of 1916 shark attacks took place here.

Beach Haven boasts several attractions, including the Fantasy Island amusement park, Surflight Theatre, which holds theatrical shows, Showplace Ice Cream, Bay Village Shopping Center, Long Beach Island Museum and quaint shops and restaurants. Tuckers is probably the most popular restaurant. I

State v. Antuan J. Daniels, unpublished opinion, App. Div. Docket No. A-3841-07T4 (December 23, 2010) - Conviction reversed, suppression ordered.

Continue reading "NJ Police Search of Car Trunk Ruled Illegal" »

State v. Miguel Cruz, unpublished opinion, App. Div. Docket No. A-4546-09T4 (December 8, 2010) - Suppression of evidence affirmed.

Continue reading "NJ Roof Search deemed Outside Scope of Consent" »

State v. Anthony T. Ross, unpublished opinion, App. Div. Docket No. A-6334-08T4 (December 9, 2010) - Convictions reversed.

Continue reading "Prosecutor's Mention of NJ Criminal Def's "Aliases" Caused Unfair Trial" »

Beechwood Municipal Court (Ocean County, New Jersey)

Address: 1600 Pinewald Road
Beachwood, NJ 08722

Phone: (732) 286-6000, ext 120 and 121

The court is open Monday Through Friday 9-4. Some DWI and criminal arrests, especially NJ disorderly persons arrests, are made in Beechwood. Plenty of traffic and speeding tickets as well. Beechwood was formed in 1917 from portions of Berkeley Twp. The town is located in central Ocean County, NJ just south of Toms River.

State v. James Messino, unpublished opinion, App. Div. Docket No. A-0535-08T4 (December 27, 2010) - Denial of PCR reversed, case remanded for evidentiary hearing.

Continue reading "NJ PCR Update" »

Berkeley Municipal Court

Address: 631 Pinewald-Keswick Road
Berkeley Township, New Jersey 08721

Also known as "Bayville Municipal Court"

Phone: (732) 240-6661
Court sessions: 2nd, 3rd and 4th Wednesday of every Month (excluding December)

2nd Wednesday 8:00am & 3:30 pm
3rd Wednesday 8:00am only
4th Wednesday 8:00 am & 3:30 pm

Some traffic and speeding tickets are issued in Berkeley. Some DWI and criminal arrests, mostly disorderly persons are made in Berkeley. The judge is the Hon. John Sheehy, J.M.C. The prosecutor is Joseph D. Grisanti, Esq. Contact a Berkely municipal court attorney.

Berkeley is located in eastern Ocean County, New Jersey. The town was formed in 1875, carved out from pieces of Toms River.

Berkely was first envisioned when Army officer Edward Farrow started purchasing woodland in the area. He dreamed of building a retirement community for former military officers.

Farrow put up a train station, stores and a hotel resort in what later became known as the town. Unfortunately, it was a flop, and Farrow soon went bankrupt.

Year later, Benjamin Sangor bought the area. Sangor was a real estate developer who had already built properties in New York and Miami. By 1929, about 8,000 lots were built in "Pinewald." Pinewald was planned to have a golf course, luxury homes, and an entertainment facility.

Sangor next began building the Pinewald pavilion and pier on Butler Avenue. The Royal Pines Hotel, a million-dollar project facing Crystal Lake, soon went up as well. This soon became the main meeting ground of Berkeley Twp. The hotel was later converted to an insane asylum, then elderly care home. The facility is now called the Crytal Lake Nursing & Rehabilitation center.

The former hotel has been surrounded by intrigue. The hotel was designed by Russian architect W. Oltar-Jevsky during the roaring twenties. Al Capone is said to have visited the hotel, which rumor it contained tunnels that went under the nearby lake that were used by bootlegges.

Brick Municipal Court (Ocean County, New Jersey)

Address: Municipal Building
401 Chambers Bridge Road
Brick Township, NJ 08723

Phone: (732) 262-1232
Email: medgin@twp.brick.nj.us
Office Hours: M-F: 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Court is held through the week except Mondays and Fridays

The Judge in Brick court is the Hon. Brant Collins. Brick is a heavy volume court. A ton of speeding and traffic tickets for violations such as tailgating are issued in Brick on the Garden State Parkway and Route 70. Violations such as careless driving, failure to maintain a lane and passing a school bus are also issued in Brick. Lots of DWI, criminal and disorderly persons arrests are also made by Brick and New Jersey State Police.

Brick Township is located in northeastern Ocean County, New Jersey and is typically referred to by locals as Bricktown or Brick. About 80,000 people live in Brick. After Toms River, Brick has the second largest number of residents of any Ocean County town. Most of Brick is on the New Jersey mainland, but three beaches are located on Barnegat Bay.
Brick Township officially formed on February 15, 1850 from sections of both Dover Township and Howell Township. Point Pleasant Beach, Bay Head and Lakewood Mantoloking and Point Pleasant later broke away from Brick to form their own townships.

While once boasting the honor as "New Jersey's Safest City." The township is still a great place to live, but was recently cited in a New Jersey State Police Report as hosting a growing gang presence that has seemed to spill over from Lakewood. Speak with an experienced defense lawyer before going to Brick Court.

State v. Victor Cyrus, unpublished opinion, App. Div. Docket No. A-3068-08T3 (December 6, 2010) - Denial of PCR reversed, case remanded for further proceedings.

Continue reading "Defendant Argues His Defense Attorney Should Have Filed Suppression Motion" »

Eagleswood Municipal Court (Ocean County, New Jersey)

Address: 665 Radio Road
Little Egg Harbor, NJ 08087

Note: Eagleswood court recently moved from: 146 Division Street
P.O. Box 409
West Creek, NJ 08092
Phone: (609) 296-7241

Court sessions are held on Thursdays. A lot of speeding and other traffic tickets, including careless driving and NJ tailgating are issued in Eagleswood. Few DWI arrests are made but some criminal charges, especially for disorderly persons offenses are filed in Eagleswood. Less than 2,000 people live in Eagleswood. Students attend the Eaglewood Public School System.

European immigrants first started moving to Eagleswood n 1705 led by Jarbus Pharo. The town was officially formed as a township in 1874.

The town's name comes from the many diverse species of eagles that originally inhabited the area. Part of Eagleswood's wetlands is in the Edwin B. Forsythe National Wildlife Refuge.

Shipbuilding was historically the local trade, as well as oystering and clamming, and, yes, piracy. The town also has some preserved cranbury bogs.

Eagleswood boats one very peculiar attracation known as the "chair house" locatednear West Creek off Route 9. "Chair House" is a three-story, Victorian-era building recently restored. It originally served as a water tower in nearby Holgate. Legend has it that the original owner was an acrobat.

The Eagleswood historical society does a remarkable job the township's beautiful old buildings and quaint Main Street area. The municipal building is a restored school house.

The Eagleswood Township Committee is made up of Mayor Kenneth Holman, Deputy Mayor John Woodland and Committeeman Greg Johnson.

State v. Jashown Walker, ? N.J. Super. ?, 2010 N.J. Super. LEXIS ? (December 13, 2010) - Conviction reversed. "

Continue reading "NJ Conviction Reversed After Judge Refuses to Give Cross-Racial Charge" »

Harvey Cedars Municipal Court

Address: Harvey Cedars Municipal Court
7606 Long Beach Boulevard
Harvey Cedars, NJ 08008

Phone: (609) 494-9026

Court sessions are held the first Monday of each month at 3:30 p.m. The judge in Harvey Cedars is Frank Salzer, J.M.C. Prosecutor is Steven Zabarsky, Esq, who holds several prosecutor appointments throughout Ocean County. Harvey Cedars is a tiny shore community of only a few hundred year round residents. Few traffic and speeding tickets are issued in Harvey Cedars, and few DWI and disorderly persons arrests are made, but mostly in the summer months.

Harvey Cedars was formed in 1894 from what is now Barnegat township. The name is a mishmash of the original trade of the town, which was harvesting local salt hay. Children in Harvey Cedars attend the Long Beach consolidated school system.

Island Heights Municipal Court (Ocean County, NJ)

Address: Bay & Van Sant Aves PO Box 757
Island Heights, NJ

Phone: (732) 270-6161

The judge in Island Heights court is the Hon. Damien Murray, J.M.C. Island Heights is a sleepy shore community in Ocean County, New Jersey. Less than 2,000 people live in the town year round. In the summer months, some speeding tickets, traffic tickets, DWI and disorderly persons arrests are made.

Island Heights was formed in 1887 from what is now Toms River Township.

Lavallette Borough Municipal Court

Address: Lavallette Borough Hall
Second Floor
1306 Grand Central Avenue
Lavallette, NJ 08735

Phone: (732) 830-1911

The Judge in Lavallette Court is the Hon. Frank S. Salzer, J.M.C. The prosecutor is Kim Pascarella, Esq. Lavallette is a quiet seaside community in Eastern Ocean county, New Jersey. Some DWI and criminal arrests are made in Lavallette, particularly in the summer. Traffic tickets including tailgating, speeding and passing a school bus are also issued in Lavallette. Most criminal arrests made in Lavallete are NJ Disorderly Persons offenses.

To reach the Lavallette court, use the Garden State Parkway exit 82. This will put you on Route-37 East. Continue toward Seaside Heights and then merge onto Rt 35 North.
Proceed for about 2 miles and the court will be on your left.

About 3,000 people live in Lavallette, supposedly including actor Joe Pesci. The town is named for a civil war Navy admiral. The town was formed in 1887 from portions of Toms River.

Little Egg Harbor Township Court

Address: 665 Radio Road
Little Egg Harbor, NJ 08087

Phone: (609) 296-7241 ext. 300
Fax: (609) 294-1068

A lot of traffic tickets including speeding, passing a school bus and tailgating are issued by Little Egg Harbor and New Jersey State Police in the township. Some DWI and criminal arrests (mostly marijuana possession and other NJ disorderly persons offenses) are also made in Little Egg Harbor Twp. The judge in Little Egg Harbor Court is The Hon. Damian G. Murray. Prosecutors include Douglas W. Jones Jr. Esq., Steven A. Zabarsky Esq., and John Reilly, Esq. The court administrator is Deborah A. O'Brien. The public defender is Brian E. Rumpf Esq.

Court is held on the second and third Thursday of the month. Trials are conducted at 8:30 a.m. and Arraignments are held at 11:30 a.m. Court Session: 8:30 AM Trials 11:30 AM Arraignments. Court personel can be reached during the week from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Citizens can file complaints (usually against their neighbors) from 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m.

Little Egg Harbor Township was formed in 1740. Sections of the town were originally part of Bass River and Washington Township. Little Egg Harbor Township (not to be confused with Egg Harbor Township) is home to about 16,000 people. Tuckerton is a borough within the Township. Mystic Island is also a section within Little Egg.

Long Beach Municipal Court (Ocean County, New Jersey)

Address: 6805 Long Beach Boulevard
Long Beach, NJ 08008

Phone: (609) 361-6661

The judge in Long Beach Municipal Court is the Hon. James Ligouri, J.M.C. The court administrator is Helen Jean Robinson. Some traffic and speeding tickets are issues by police in Long Beach, mostly in the summer months. Few DWI and criminal arrests are made in Long Beach. Most criminal arrests made in Long Beach are Nj disorderly persons offenses. The Mayor of Long Beach is Joseph H. Mancini. Other council members are Ralph H. Bayard and DiAnne C. Gove. Court sessions can vary, but are usually held on Mondays at 9:00 a.m. Approximately 3,000 people call Long Beach Twp home. The town formed in 1899, cobbled together from pieces of Eagleswood, Barnegat, and Ship Bottom.

Mantaloking Municipal Court

Address: Mantoloking Municipal Court
202 Downer Avenue
Mantoloking, NJ 08738

Phone: (732) 899-6604

Matters heard in the Mantoloking Municipal Court include Speeding and Traffic Tickets, Parking Tickets, Citizen Complaints, and Local Ordinances. Some DWI and NJ criminal charges are also filed in Mantoloking. Most of these are New Jersey disorderly persons (DP) offenses. The court is managed by Jennifer Eaton, CMCA
Court Administrator. The court is open Tuesday 1pm to 4 pm, Thursday 9 am to 2pm. Court is in session on the fourth Wednesday of every month except for November and December.

Mantoloking is located in north eastern ocean county on the Barnegat Peninsula. The Peninsula separates Barnegat Bay from the Atlantic. Mantoloking can be reached by crossing over the Mantoloking Bridge from Brick Township. About 200 families call Mantoloking home. The town is famous for its champion yacht club. Mantoloking and neighboring Bay Head is often referred to as the Jersey Shore's "Gold Coast". Mantoloking's name comes from the Lenni Lenape Indian Language, and its precise definition has been the subject of debate.

Manchester Township Municipal Court

Location: 1 Colonial Drive
Manchester, NJ 08759

Phone: (732) 657-8121 ext. 3407

A large amount of NJ speeding and other traffic tickets are issued in Manchester Township. Manchester Police also make a fair amount of DWI and minor criminal arrests, mostly disorderly persons offenses like harassment. Court is in session the 1st and 3rd Wednesday of each month at 1:00 p.m. Trials are reserved for the 2nd and 4th Wednesday of each month at 9:30 a.m.

The judge in Manchester court is the Honorable Daniel F. Sahin, J.M.C. The Court Administrator is Tracy Barcus. Serving as Senior. Deputy Court Administrator is Catherine Smith. Violations Clerks include Sue Donovan and Sandra Brodbeck. The prosecutor is Valter Must, Esq. Although often appearing as prosecutor will be another member of Mr. Must's firm, including Robert Rothstein, Esq. and Michael Burns. The public defender is Gregory McGuckin, Esq.

Directions to Manchester Municipal Court:

If using the Garden State Parkway South (GSPS), use Exit 88. Then make a right onto Route 70 West. Continue on Route 70 until the Route 9 overpass. The after passing six (6) Traffic Lights proceed to Colonial Drive and take jug handle onto Colonial. Turn right into second driveway.

If using GSPN, better to use Exit 82A, which will put you on Rt. 37 E. Go past Commonwealth Boulevard. Use the "MANCHESTER Water Tower" as your landmark. Make a right onto Colonial Drive exit ramp. Make a right at the stop sign and then left into

If coming East on Route 70, Go through Lakehurst Borough and then proceed to Colonial Drive.

Manchester is located in Northern Ocean County. Approximately 40, 000 people call Manchester home. Manchester Township council members include Kenneth H. Vanderziel, Craig Wallis, Brendan Weiner, Warren Reiter, and Frederick F. Trutkoff. Manchester was the tragic site of the 1937 Hindenburg crash.

This NJ Criminal appeal was recently won after the trial judge failed to explain to the jury the reasons for defendant's absence during part of the trial.

State v. James Rippy, unpublished opinion, App. Div. Docket No. A-6069-07T4 (December 14, 2010) - Convictions reversed.

"[D]efendant contends that the trial judge committed plain error by failing to sua sponte instruct the jury on his absence from the trial and by giving an erroneous instruction on coconspirator liability for the robbery.... The trial judge gave the Election Not To Testify charge. This was insufficient; as the charge's language does not address defendant's absence, thus impermissibly leaving the jury free to speculate about why he was not present at trial, and to infer guilt from his absence. Because of the potential for prejudice due to defendant's absence from trial, the failure to sua sponte give the 'Absence From Trial' charge was clearly capable of producing an unjust result warranting reversal of defendant's conviction.
"As for the conspirator liability charge, ..., to determine whether defendant was vicariously liable for the robbery that Rivera committed, the critical issue became whether defendant's conscious object in conspiring with Rivera was to promote the crime of robbery or make it easier for Rivera to commit the robbery. The charge given was not limited to the State's alternative theory of coconspirator liability for the robbery. Rather, it instructed the jury on coconspirator liability as an alternative theory of guilt as to all of the crimes with which defendant was charged. This error impermissibly left the jury free to find defendant liable for the robbery Rivera committed as long as it believed that defendant's conscious object was to promote either burglary, assault or weapons possession. Thus, the instruction was clearly capable of producing an unjust result warranting reversal of defendant's robbery conviction."

Ocean Gate Municipal Court (Ocean County, New Jersey)

Address: Ocean Gate Municipal Court
151 East Longport Avenue
Ocean Gate, NJ 08740

Phone: (732) 269-3166
Fax: (732) 269-6652
Police: (732) 269-3166, Ext. 24

The judge in Ocean Gate Court is Stacey Kerr, Esq. The Prosecutor is Steven Zabarsky, Esq. Ocean Gate is a small seaside community once belonging to Berkeley Township. Approximately 3,000 people live in Ocean Gate. Ocean Gate police make some DWI and criminal arrests and issue a fair amount of traffic and speeding tickets in Ocean Gate, NJ. Most criminal complains in Ocean Gate charge disorderly persons offenses.

Ocean Township Municipal Court

Address: Railroad Avenue & Corliss Street
Waretown, NJ 08758

Phone: (609) 693-3332
Fax: (609) 971-9551

The Judge in Ocean Twp. Court is the Hon. James A. Liguori. The prosecutor is Lionel Simon, Esq. The Public Defender position is held by Fuggi & Fuggi. The Court Administrator is Donna Bussanich. Some NJ DWI and traffic summons are issued in Ocean Twp. Ocean Twp and New Jersey State Police also make some criminal and drug arrests in Waretown. Waretown is an unincorporated section of Ocean Township. Ocean Township is located in central Ocean County, NJ. Locals usually refer to all of Ocean Township as "Waretown." Ocean Township was originally a part of Lacey and what is now Barnegat. Approximately 7,000 people call Ocean Township home. Ocean Township/Waretown is well-serviced by both the Garden State Parkway and Route 9.