Our municipal court practice is led by former municipal court public defenders, prosecutors and judges, Lawrence N. Meyerson (Hillsdale) and John A. Conte, Jr. (Oakland, Central Judicial Processing Court). Our attorneys have appeared in municipal courts across northern New Jersey representing clients in a wide range of violations including traffic offenses, DWI, and disorderly persons offenses.
DWI / DUI OFFENSES
Driving While Intoxicated (N.J.S.A. 39:4-50) is a serious violation in New Jersey. If convicted, you may face life changing consequences, including possible jail time and loss of license. It’s important to have the guidance of an experienced attorney in court to advise you of your rights, examine the evidence and determine if proper procedures were followed during your stop.
TRAFFIC VIOLATIONS
What may seem like a simple traffic ticket could end up costing you your license. Many traffic violations, such as improper passing, careless driving, and speeding, result in a penalty of points on your license. Depending on your driving record, an accumulation of those points may result in suspension of your license. Penalties also become increasingly severe for 2nd and 3rd offenses of the same violations. You should always consult an attorney to find out how your traffic ticket may impact on you.
MVC ADMINISTRATIVE HEARINGS
The New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC) has the right to impose penalties, points, and surcharges on your license if you’ve been charged with certain motor vehicle violations. Failure to pay penalties and surcharges, or accumulation of points, often results in an administrative suspension of license. In some cases, the MVC will impose a mandatory one (1) year probation period after restoration of your license. If a violation occurs within the probation period, the MVC will suspend your license again. If you’ve received notice from the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission that your license will be suspended, you should contact an attorney to request a hearing to challenge the suspension.
DISORDERLY PERSONS OFFENSES
Disorderly persons offenses include simple assault, harassment, shoplifting and certain drug charges. Each offense carries potential jail time, probation, mandatory costs and fines and community service requirements. Some offenses may also impact your driving privileges. If you’ve been charged with a disorderly person’s offense, it should not be taken lightly. You should contact an attorney immediately to advise you of the potential consequences and assist you with your defense.
EXPUNGEMENTS
An expungement is an application to remove records of an arrest or criminal charges on file with the court and any law enforcement agency. New Jersey recently enacted a statute providing for expedited expungements of arrest records and charges for certain criminal charges that are ultimately dismissed in municipal court, such as disorderly persons offenses and municipal ordinance violations. Other violations have mandatory waiting periods before you can apply for an expungement of your records. If you are interested in having your records expunged, you should consult with an attorney regarding your eligibility.
