New Jersey ranks charges by weight, and the weight decides the court.

• Indictable crimes line up with felonies in other states. They are ranked in four degrees, with first degree at the top and fourth at the bottom. The Superior Court's criminal judges hear them, and a grand jury votes on whether to indict.
• Disorderly persons offenses roughly match a misdemeanor elsewhere. They, plus petty disorderly persons offenses, stay in a town's municipal court.
• Traffic tickets and local ordinance cases go to municipal court as well.
• Anyone under 18 is handled by the Superior Court's Family Part.

A lot of crime cases are first filed as complaints in a town court and then sent up. Going the other way, a judge can downgrade a charge and remand it to municipal court. Courts here are part of the Morris/Sussex vicinage, which is the state's word for a court region; there are 15 statewide.

The criminal courtrooms are all in the Morris County Courthouse, 56 Washington Street, Morristown, NJ 07960. The Judiciary describes the spot as the corner of Washington and Court Streets. Every office uses the switchboard, 862-397-5700. Then dial:

• ext. 75340 for the Criminal Division
• ext. 75213 or 75214 for the Criminal Division Manager's Office
• ext. 75370 for Pretrial Services (Floor 4)
• ext. 75130 for Finance (Floor 1)
• ext. 75110 for the Municipal Division (Floor 3), which supervises town courts
• ext. 75145 for Family Division intake (Floor 2)
• ext. 75279 for Recovery Court

Two more offices are across the way in the Administration and Records Building, 10 Court Street, Morristown, NJ 07963: Probation on Floor 2 (ext. 75486) and the Court User Resource Center in Room 152 (ext. 75160). For older files, the Criminal Records Room picks up at 973-326-6950. Hours are regular business hours; a quick call first saves a wasted trip.

Twenty-three municipal courts cover the 39 towns, and lots of towns share. A few courts hold sessions by video now, so check the notice or call ahead.

Shared and joint courts

• Madison Joint Municipal Court, for Madison, Morris Township and both Chathams (borough and township): Hartley Dodge Memorial, 50 Kings Road, Madison, NJ 07940, 973-593-3026. The window opens weekdays at 8 a.m.
• Parsippany-Troy Hills court, which also hears the Town of Boonton and Rockaway Borough: 3333 Route 46, Parsippany, NJ 07054, 973-263-4290. Mailed payments go to 3339 US Highway 46, Parsippany, NJ 07054.
• Riverdale and Butler shared court: 91 Newark-Pompton Turnpike, Riverdale, NJ 07457, 973-835-1013.
• Chester court, for Chester Borough and Chester Township: 1 Parker Road, Chester, NJ 07930, 908-879-5100. Mendham Township's court is reached on this number too; ask where it meets.
• Denville court: 1 Saint Mary's Place, Denville, NJ 07834, 973-625-8300. Mountain Lakes matters go through this line as well.
• Dover court, also covering Victory Gardens: 37 North Sussex Street, Dover, NJ 07801, 973-366-2200.
• East Hanover and Hanover joint court: 1000 Route 10, Whippany, NJ 07981, 973-428-2519.
• Harding and Long Hill, one court since 2022: 915 Valley Road, Gillette, NJ 07933, 908-647-8369.
• Washington Township court, also for Mendham Borough and for Califon over in Hunterdon County: Municipal Building, 43 Schooleys Mountain Road, Long Valley, NJ 07853, 908-876-3852. Alternative number: 908-876-3315.
• Rockaway Township and Mine Hill, combined since 2016: 65 Mount Hope Road, Rockaway, NJ 07866, 973-627-9000. First appearances are Wednesday mornings at 9:30.
• Mount Arlington-Wharton Shared Municipal Court: Borough Hall, 419 Howard Boulevard, Mount Arlington, NJ 07856, 973-398-6832, ext. 130 or 131.
• Mount Olive court, Netcong's court as well: 204 Flanders-Drakestown Road, Budd Lake, NJ 07828, 973-691-0900, ext. 7242.

Single-town courts

• Town of Morristown: Town Hall, 200 South Street, Morristown, NJ 07960, 973-292-6687
• Boonton Township: 155 Powerville Road, Boonton Township, NJ 07005, 973-402-4006
• Florham Park: 111 Ridgedale Avenue, Florham Park, NJ 07932, 973-410-5324
• Jefferson Township: 1033 Weldon Road, Lake Hopatcong, NJ 07849, 973-208-6129
• Kinnelon Borough: 130 Kinnelon Road, Kinnelon, NJ 07405, 973-838-7644
• Montville Township: 360 Main Road, Suite 2, Montville, NJ 07045, 973-335-1022
• Lincoln Park, 973-694-6100
• Morris Plains, 973-538-4019
• Pequannock Township, 973-835-5700
• Randolph Township, 973-989-7055
• Roxbury Township, 973-448-2034

For the last five, ask the clerk for the street address and which days court sits.

Police book a person held on a complaint-warrant into the county jail. The complaint then sits with the court, which has 12 hours to screen it. After that, Pretrial Services prepares a Public Safety Assessment. This is a scored report on two risks: missing court and getting charged with something new.

The clock for the first appearance is 48 hours from jailing. For crimes, that hearing takes place at a central location, before judges the Chief Justice assigns (R. 3:4-2), and often by video from the jail. Expect three things:

• Each charge is read, along with the person's rights.
• The court may appoint the Office of the Public Defender.
• The judge either rules on release or schedules a detention hearing, if the prosecutor asked to hold the person.

The jail offers public viewing of video court on weekends and holidays. Call Records at 973-631-5174 for the time and how relatives can watch.

A disorderly persons charge is decided locally, in the town court for the place of the offense. Most go like this:

1. The person receives a summons with a date, or walks out after a warrant arrest.
2. On that date the judge explains the person's rights. A defendant who risks jail, losing a license, or penalties above $800 can apply for a free town lawyer when income is low. The fee tops out at $200, and the judge may lower or skip it.
3. Plea talks between the defense and the town's prosecutor are common. Some first offenses end in a conditional dismissal, or a conditional discharge for drug charges.
4. Without a plea, there is a trial. Jury trials are only for charges carrying over six months, so a judge decides these alone.

Six months in jail and a $1,000 fine is the ceiling for a disorderly persons offense. For a petty one, the limit is 30 days and a $500 fine. Any town court question can also go to the Municipal Division, 862-397-5700, ext. 75110.

1. First appearance. The release decision comes no later than 48 hours after jailing.
2. Pre-indictment disposition conference. Must be on the calendar within 45 days of that first hearing. Early plea deals and Pretrial Intervention are often raised here.
3. Grand jury. No more than 23 randomly chosen residents hear the evidence. An indictment needs 12 votes or more. For a person in jail, the state gets 90 days, minus excludable time, to secure that vote.
4. Arraignment. The formal charges are read within 14 days after the indictment comes back.
5. Status conferences. A case gets two at most, beginning with what the court calls an ICDC (initial case disposition conference).
6. Pretrial conference. From here on, plea deals usually need the Criminal Presiding Judge's okay.
7. Trial. A guilty or not-guilty verdict has to be unanimous. A jailed defendant must go to trial no more than 180 days after indictment, excludable time aside.
8. Sentencing. In open court the judge gives the reasons for the sentence, then signs the judgment of conviction (JOC).

Sentence lengths are set by degree (N.J.S.A. 2C:43-6). At the top, first degree, the range is 10 to 20 years. The least, fourth degree, can mean up to 18 months. Second and third degree sit between, at 5 to 10 and 3 to 5 years. Fines may climb to $200,000 at the top and $10,000 at the bottom.

• Graves Act. For certain crimes with a gun, no parole is allowed until the person serves 42 months or half the term, if half is longer.
• No Early Release Act (NERA). Murder, robbery, carjacking, aggravated assault, sexual assault, home invasion and the rest of the NERA list carry an 85% rule: that share of the term comes first, parole after (N.J.S.A. 2C:43-7.2). Then come years of parole watch: five after a first-degree crime, three after a second-degree crime.
• Detention. Prosecutors may ask a judge to keep people facing these charges in jail until trial. Murder, and crimes that can carry life, start with a presumption of detention.
• Diversion. When prison is presumed or a mandatory minimum applies, a PTI spot needs a green light from the prosecutor.

Detention motions and appeals run through the Criminal Division, 862-397-5700, ext. 75340.

• Pretrial Intervention (PTI) covers indictable charges, mainly for first offenders. Apply on the web or in person with the Criminal Division. The sooner the better; pre-indictment is ideal. Once the first disposition conference after arraignment ends, the window closes. It costs $75, waivable for people who can't pay. The judge may hold the case up to 36 months, and once every condition is met, the charges go away.
• Conditional discharge is meant for a first drug charge at the disorderly or petty disorderly level. After up to 3 years of supervision, the case is dismissed. It is a one-time chance, and it costs $75.
• Conditional dismissal fits first-time disorderly charges that aren't drug cases, once there is a guilty plea or finding. It means a year of monitoring. DWI, domestic violence and drug cases don't qualify.
• Recovery Court works with adults who have a substance use problem and a non-violent charge. Treatment commonly runs a year or two. Reach it at 862-397-5700, ext. 75279.

Anyone who once got a conditional discharge, a conditional dismissal or PTI is barred from PTI.

• Prosecutor's Office (indictable crimes): 10 Court Street, Floor 3, Morristown, NJ 07960, 973-285-6200. Mail goes to P.O. Box 900, Morristown, NJ 07963.
• Municipal prosecutors bring the town's side in disorderly and traffic matters. Contact them through the court clerk.
• Office of the Public Defender (indictable crimes): 2150 Headquarters Plaza, Morristown, NJ 07960, 973-631-6260. A judge reviews the 5A intake form, decides who qualifies, and hands approved cases to this office.
• Municipal public defenders take qualifying clients in every town court.
• Federal Public Defender: 1002 Broad Street, Newark, NJ 07102, 973-645-6347.

A family may also retain a private attorney whenever it chooses.

• Superior Court files: the Judiciary's Find a Case page is the starting point. Its Promis/Gavel records reach back to 1980.
• Municipal matters: type the ticket or complaint number into the Municipal Court Case Search. NJMCdirect handles ticket payments, not-guilty pleas and date changes.
• Phone help: the Criminal Division at 862-397-5700, ext. 75340, or the Criminal Records Room, 973-326-6950. Judiciary Customer Services, 609-421-6100, sends record copies and helps if you're unsure which town wrote a ticket.
• A person in jail: Records at 973-631-5174 can share the next court date.

The Sheriff's Office, 56 Washington Street, Morristown, NJ 07960, 973-285-6600, serves warrants along with town police. Statewide fugitives are posted by the New Jersey State Police wanted list. If you think there's a warrant, call the Sheriff's Office or the court that signed it. For a Superior Court warrant, the Criminal Division in that building can help, 862-397-5700, ext. 75340. A municipal warrant goes through that town's court clerk. To settle a warrant, line up a lawyer and surrender together at the jail, 43 John Street, Morristown, NJ 07960, or ask the court clerk to set a new date.

Federal crimes from this county go to Newark, to the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey at 50 Walnut Street, Room 4015, Newark, NJ 07101, 973-645-3730. Clerks are in from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on weekdays.

• A magistrate judge meets the defendant on arrest day or one day after and goes over the charges.
• Detention gets argued at that same first hearing, unless a lawyer needs a few days (18 U.S.C. 3142(f)).
• Anyone held stays under U.S. Marshals control. Their Newark office is at 50 Walnut Street, Room 2009, Newark, NJ 07102, 973-645-2404. Many sit in a county jail such as the Essex County Correctional Facility, 354 Doremus Avenue, Newark, NJ 07105, 973-274-7500.
• Filings sit on PACER, the federal court records system.
• After a sentence, look them up with the Federal Bureau of Prisons inmate locator.

No. The state charges go forward in Superior Court or town court whether or not ICE is involved. Here is the chain a detainer starts:

1. ICE files Form I-247A at John Street to ask for a hold.
2. The federal rule lets that last up to 48 hours after they would otherwise be released (8 CFR 287.7(d)).
3. Agents pick the person up. A likely destination is the Elizabeth Contract Detention Facility, 625 Evans Street, Elizabeth, NJ 07201, 908-282-5700.
4. Follow their location on the ICE Online Detainee Locator.

The state's Immigrant Trust Directive shrinks step 2 for county jails. A jail may hold a person beyond release for ICE only if that person is charged with, or was once convicted of, an offense the Directive labels violent or serious; has a five-year-old or newer conviction for a crime of any degree; or faces a deportation order from a federal judge that the jail has received. Even that hold expires at 11:59 p.m. on the release day. The jail must also put every ICE request in writing for the person. Let the defense lawyer know about a detainer as soon as you learn of it.

State prison time is served under the New Jersey Department of Corrections. Sentenced people first go through a reception center. There, staff screen for medical, mental health and drug treatment needs. The DOC then gives a custody level, running from Close down to Community, and names a prison. A committee looks again at each case at least every 12 months.

• Use the DOC's Incarcerated Person Search Engine, linked from its offender information page.
• Central office: Whittlesey Road, P.O. Box 863, Trenton, NJ 08625, 609-292-4036.
• Parole: State Parole Board, P.O. Box 862, Trenton, NJ 08625, 609-292-4257.
• Facility details: our New Jersey state prisons directory.

The Family Part, not the Criminal Division, takes every charge against someone younger than 18. Family intake is on Floor 2 of the county courthouse, 56 Washington Street, Morristown, NJ 07960, 862-397-5700, ext. 75145. The Juvenile Services Unit picks up at ext. 75190.

A youth who can't go home waits at the Morris County Juvenile Detention Center, 460 West Hanover Avenue, Morris Township, NJ 07960, 973-285-2959, away from adults.

• Waiver to adult court. It can happen to a teen 15 or older if there is probable cause for certain serious crimes, like homicide, first-degree robbery, carjacking or sexual assault. The prosecutor's deadline to file is 60 days, and a hearing in the Family Part follows.
• While waiver is pending. The law presumes the youth stays in juvenile detention, not an adult jail.
• Defense costs. In delinquency cases, parents are financially responsible for public defense. The public defender is at 2150 Headquarters Plaza, Morristown, NJ 07960, 973-631-6260.

New Jersey's constitution promises crime victims fair treatment, with compassion and respect (N.J. Const. art. I, para. 22). Under state law, victims may learn how the case is moving. They may speak to the judge before sentencing. They must also be kept safe from threats (N.J.S.A. 52:4B-36).

• Office of Victim-Witness Advocacy, inside the Prosecutor's Office: Administration and Records Building, 10 Court Street, Floor 3, Morristown, NJ 07963, 973-285-6200.
• Victims of Crime Compensation Office: 877-658-2221. It may cover medical, counseling and funeral costs and lost wages. Two deadlines matter: tell police within 9 months of the crime, and send the application within 5 years.
• VINE custody alerts: VINELink or 877-846-3465.
• Domestic violence: the Family Division DV Unit, 862-397-5700, ext. 75250.

The John Street jail holds every Sussex County adult inmate and, since October 2024, every Somerset County detainee. Those cases don't transfer here. Sussex charges are heard in Sussex, the other county in the Morris/Sussex vicinage. Somerset charges stay in the Somerset/Hunterdon/Warren vicinage.

• Sussex County Sheriff's Office: 39 High Street, Newton, NJ 07860, 973-579-0850.
• Somerset County Jail: 40 Grove Street, Somerville, NJ 08876, 908-231-7150.

Custody, visit and money questions still go to John Street, 973-631-5174.