New Jersey sorts charges with words you may not have heard before. Two of them matter most:

• Indictable crimes are ranked by degree, and first degree is the gravest. Fourth degree is the lightest. Outside New Jersey, these are felonies. Their trials happen in the Superior Court, in its Law Division's Criminal Part.
• Disorderly persons offenses come next, and petty disorderly persons offenses are the smallest of all. Together they are about the same as misdemeanors in other states. Each town's municipal court takes them. It also hears traffic tickets, local ordinance violations, and fish and game or weights and measures cases.

A big case often starts as a complaint signed in a town court. It then climbs to the Superior Court. If a judge finds no probable cause, the complaint is dismissed. A charge can also be downgraded and returned to the town court to be heard there. A jury is only used when the charge carries a possible sentence longer than six months. So in town court, a judge alone decides.

The Superior Court works out of the county courthouse, 2 Broad Street, Elizabeth, NJ 07207, 908-787-1650. After you dial, enter one of these extensions:

• 21250: Criminal Division, also expungements and records requests
• 21350: Pretrial Intervention
• 21200: Recovery Court, on Floor 5 of the Tower
• 21280: Family Division, and 21370 for youth cases
• 21270: domestic violence
• 22350: Finance and payment questions
• 21580: Probation
• 21028: the Ombudsman, who helps the public find their way

The Criminal Records Room is in the same building. Two nearby court buildings hold back offices: the Albender Building, 1143 East Jersey Street, Elizabeth, NJ 07201, with the transcript unit, and the Bank Building, 1141 East Jersey Street, Elizabeth, NJ 07201, with the court administrator. The County Clerk, 908-527-4787, keeps land and business records, not criminal files. Call the court before a visit to check its hours.

Every town has its own court for its own cases. Two of them, Berkeley Heights and Summit, meet in the same building in New Providence. Call before you go, since sessions shift and several courts now hold hearings on Zoom.

• Berkeley Heights Municipal Court, 360 Elkwood Avenue, New Providence, NJ 07974, 908-743-1055, ext. 245. Meets two Thursdays a month.
• Clark Municipal Court, 315 Westfield Avenue, Clark, NJ 07066, 732-381-5395. Wednesdays.
• Cranford Municipal Court, 8 Springfield Avenue, Cranford, NJ 07016, 908-709-7242. Wednesdays.
• Elizabeth Municipal Court, 1 Police Plaza, Elizabeth, NJ 07201, 908-558-6800. Zoom sessions run Monday to Friday, and the bail window is open weekdays from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
• Fanwood Municipal Court, 75 North Martine Avenue, Fanwood, NJ 07023, 908-322-6750. Three Thursdays a month.
• Garwood Municipal Court, 403 South Avenue, Garwood, NJ 07027, 908-789-0780. Two Mondays a month.
• Hillside Municipal Court, 1409 Liberty Avenue, Hillside, NJ 07205, 973-926-1881. Thursdays, plus two Tuesdays a month.
• Kenilworth Municipal Court, 567 Boulevard, Kenilworth, NJ 07033, 908-276-1104. The first three Tuesdays of the month.
• Linden Municipal Court, 301 North Wood Avenue, Linden, NJ 07036, 908-474-8429. Sessions Monday to Wednesday at 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., and Friday at 9 a.m. A payment drop box sits in the police parking garage.
• Mountainside Municipal Court, 1385 US Highway 22 East, Mountainside, NJ 07092, 908-232-5335. Office open weekdays 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; court on Thursdays at 9 a.m.
• New Providence Municipal Court, 908-665-1454. Two Wednesdays a month. Call for the courtroom address.
• Plainfield Municipal Court, Plainfield, NJ 07060, 908-753-3064. The violations window is open weekdays 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., and sessions are on Zoom. Call for the street address.
• Rahway Municipal Court, 732-827-2039. Office open weekdays 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.; court on Mondays and Thursdays. Call for the courtroom address.
• Roselle Municipal Court, 210 Chestnut Street, Roselle, NJ 07203, 908-245-5588. Two Tuesdays and two Thursdays a month.
• Roselle Park Municipal Court, 110 East Westfield Avenue, Roselle Park, NJ 07204, 908-241-4631. Thursdays at 8:45 a.m.; after-hours drop box in the police lobby.
• Scotch Plains Municipal Court, 908-322-6700, ext. 215. Wednesdays. Call for the courtroom address.
• Springfield Municipal Court, 100 Mountain Avenue, Springfield, NJ 07081, 973-912-2213. Zoom sessions on the 1st and 3rd Mondays at 2 p.m. and the 2nd and 4th Wednesdays at 9 a.m.
• Summit Municipal Court, 360 Elkwood Avenue, New Providence, NJ 07974, 908-273-6112. Wednesdays at 9 a.m.
• Union Township Municipal Court, P.O. Box 98, Union, NJ 07083, 908-851-5400. Monday to Thursday. Payments are not taken by phone.
• Westfield Municipal Court, 425 East Broad Street, Westfield, NJ 07090, 908-789-4040. Tuesdays and Thursdays.
• Winfield Municipal Court, 908-925-3937. One Tuesday a month, held online. Call for details.

It hinges on the paper police used. With a summons, the person goes home and gets a court date set for some time in the next 60 days. A complaint-warrant means a stay in jail while the release system runs:

1. A judge or judicial officer must check the charge for probable cause within 12 hours.
2. Pretrial Services scores the Public Safety Assessment and writes up a release advice.
3. Within 48 hours of entering jail, the person sees a judge. Indictable charges go to a central courtroom with a judge chosen by the Chief Justice (R. 3:4-2). Many people take part by video from the jail.
4. The judge reads out the charges and may assign the Office of the Public Defender.
5. Release is decided then, unless the prosecutor wants the person kept in jail. Then a detention hearing comes first.

Families can't always learn the hearing time in advance. The Sheriff points people to Criminal Case Management at 908-787-1650; follow the prompts. Our bail page explains each release choice.

Most charges like these never leave the town court where the arrest took place. A municipal prosecutor argues for the town. A judge decides, with no jury. Expect something like this:

1. A first hearing, where the judge reads the charge and explains rights.
2. A plea of guilty or not guilty.
3. Talks with the municipal prosecutor and a swap of evidence.
4. A trial before the judge, if the case doesn't settle.
5. A sentence, which may include fines, fees, probation or jail.

The worst a disorderly persons offense can bring is six months in jail plus a fine of up to $1,000. For a petty disorderly persons offense, the cap is 30 days and $500. DWI counts as a traffic case, and state law sets its own penalties. Two one-time programs can wipe out a first minor charge. Conditional discharge is for small drug cases. Conditional dismissal is for many other small cases. Each costs $75, and once the terms are met, no conviction goes on the record. Tickets can be paid on NJMCdirect, reached from the state's municipal court page.

An indictable case stays in the Superior Court from start to finish. Here is the usual road:

1. First appearance and release decision, covered above.
2. Pre-indictment conference, held inside 45 days from the first appearance. Early plea offers and diversion often come up here.
3. Grand jury. As many as 23 residents listen to the prosecutor. A vote of 12 or more is needed to indict.
4. Arraignment. The formal charges are read out, inside two weeks of the indictment.
5. Status conferences. Usually two, beginning with what the court calls the initial case disposition conference. Most cases have no more than two.
6. Pretrial conference. Once this is held, plea deals are rarely accepted. A later deal needs the approval of the top criminal judge.
7. Trial. All jurors must agree to convict or acquit.
8. Sentencing. The judge must explain the sentence aloud. Then the judge signs the final paperwork, known as a judgment of conviction.

How long a prison term can run turns on the degree. A first degree crime can bring from 10 up to 20 years. Second degree runs from 5 up to 10 years, and third degree from 3 up to 5. Fourth degree tops out at 18 months. Fines can reach $200,000 for first degree and $10,000 for fourth degree. Many first-time defendants can choose Pretrial Intervention instead: up to 36 months of supervision, and then the charges are dismissed. The $75 fee can be waived. The deadline to apply is the first case disposition conference after arraignment. Call 908-787-1650, ext. 21350.

The law treats these cases much more harshly:

• Graves Act. Carrying or using a firearm during a listed crime brings a fixed minimum term. It equals 42 months or half the sentence, picking the longer one, and there is no parole until it is served.
• No Early Release Act. This covers crimes like murder, robbery, carjacking, sexual assault, kidnapping and home invasion. Parole is off the table until 85 percent of the sentence is done. After release, a first degree crime adds 5 years of parole supervision, and a second degree crime adds 3.
• Detention. Prosecutors often file to keep the person jailed until trial. Murder and crimes that can bring life in prison start with a presumption of jail.
• Programs. Anyone with a violent charge is shut out of Recovery Court.
• Records. Some convictions, such as homicide, robbery, arson, kidnapping and sexual assault, can never be expunged.

With this much at stake, get a lawyer involved from the first day.

Indictable crimes here are the job of the county Prosecutor's Office, at 32 Rahway Avenue, Elizabeth, NJ 07202, 908-527-4500. Its lawyers judge whether there is enough proof to go ahead. Town court cases are argued by a municipal prosecutor.

For defense, the Office of the Public Defender has a trial office at 17 Caldwell Place, 3rd Floor, Elizabeth, NJ 07202, 908-820-3070. It takes indictable cases no matter how much the person earns now, once the court approves the 5A form. The court looks at income, assets, bills and debts. Its Law Guardian office, on the 2nd Floor of the same building, 908-820-8971, speaks for children in Family Part cases.

A town court can name a municipal public defender for a person who can't pay and could get jail, lose a license or owe over $800. Ask that court for the application. Its fee tops out at $200, and the judge may cut it or drop it.

Pick the tool that fits the court:

• Superior Court: search by name on the Judiciary's Find a Case tool, or phone the Criminal Division at 908-787-1650, ext. 21250.
• Town court: the municipal court page leads to the Municipal Court Case Search and NJMCdirect. Have the ticket or complaint number ready, or call the town court listed above.
• Copies of records: Judiciary Customer Services, 609-421-6100. Lost track of which town wrote a ticket? That number can help too.
• Federal court: search PACER.

Write down every date and keep court letters. If a date can't be made, call the court before it passes.

The Sheriff's Fugitive Unit serves warrants countywide, and town police serve their own. Reach the unit at 908-527-4480, 6:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., or 908-558-2313 until 11:30 p.m. Statewide fugitives appear on the State Police Most Wanted page; tips go to 800-437-7839. To check a name, call the unit, the town court on a ticket, or the Criminal Division at 908-787-1650, ext. 21250. To clear a warrant, speak to a defense lawyer, then surrender side by side, or call the court behind the warrant and ask to be put back on its calendar. The Criminal Division sits in the courthouse at 2 Broad Street, Elizabeth, NJ 07207.

The county falls in the Newark part of the federal court. Its home is the Martin Luther King Building, 50 Walnut Street, Room 4015, Newark, NJ 07101, 973-645-3730. The clerk's office is open 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on weekdays.

• Soon after arrest, often the same day, the person is brought to a magistrate judge.
• Whether they stay locked up is argued right then, at the detention hearing (18 U.S.C. 3142). The government may ask for three days to prepare; the defense, five.
• The U.S. Marshals hold people who aren't released, often at the Essex jail, 354 Doremus Avenue, Newark, NJ 07105, or the Hudson jail, 30-35 South Hackensack Avenue, Kearny, NJ 07032. Call the Marshals at 973-645-2404.
• The Federal Public Defender is at 1002 Broad Street, Newark, NJ 07102, 973-645-6347.
• Track the case on PACER. After a sentence, check the Federal Bureau of Prisons inmate locator.

Neither. The state case moves ahead in court, but the hold can change when the person walks out. The federal side goes in this order:

1. To start, the jail receives a detainer on Form I-247A.
2. It seeks custody for up to 48 hours after they would otherwise be released (8 CFR 287.7(d)).
3. Officers from ICE come and collect the person.
4. People held for ICE in north Jersey are often placed in the Elizabeth Contract Detention Facility, 625 Evans Street, Elizabeth, NJ 07201, 908-282-5700.
5. The ICE Online Detainee Locator shows where someone is held.

New Jersey's county jails work under the Immigrant Trust Directive, which sharply limits step 2. A detainer can keep someone past their release time only in three cases. One, the person is charged with, or has ever been convicted of, an offense on the state's violent or serious list. Two, within the last five years they were convicted of a non-violent indictable crime. Three, there is a final removal order against them, signed by a federal judge. Such a hold ends by 11:59 p.m. on the day of release. The person gets a written notice of the ICE request and a copy of its papers. The jail may let ICE interview a detainee only if the detainee signs a consent form. Before any plea, ask the defense lawyer about immigration effects.

Sentences up to one year are often served in a county jail, and Essex holds such sentences. Anything longer goes to the New Jersey Department of Corrections, which sorts people at intake:

• Men: Central Reception and Assignment Facility, P.O. Box 7450, Trenton, NJ 08628, 609-984-6000.
• Women: Edna Mahan Correctional Facility for Women, P.O. Box 4004, Clinton, NJ 08809, 908-735-7111.

At intake, health, mental health and substance use are checked. Each person then gets a custody level, from Close at the strict end to Community at the light end. That level is reviewed at least yearly by a committee. The Department of Corrections offender page has the prisoner search. For parole, contact the State Parole Board, P.O. Box 862, Trenton, NJ 08625, 609-292-4257. Every state prison has its own entry in our New Jersey prisons directory.

When the accused is under 18, the Family Part hears it, inside the same courthouse on Broad Street. Call 908-787-1650, ext. 21370, for the juvenile unit. Since the county shut its own center in 2019, a teen who must be held goes to the Essex County Juvenile Detention Center, 80 Duryea Street, Newark, NJ 07103, 973-849-0942.

For a teen 15 or older accused of certain grave acts, such as homicide, armed robbery, carjacking or sexual assault, the prosecutor may seek a waiver to adult court. The motion is due within 60 days, followed by a hearing before a judge. While that is pending, the teen normally stays at the youth center, not a jail for adults. For a youth lawyer, call the public defender's trial office at 908-820-3070. In delinquency cases, parents may have to pay for that help.

Victims in New Jersey have a constitutional right to be treated with fairness, compassion and respect (N.J. Const. art. I, para. 22). By state law, a victim may also follow the case's progress, speak in person at sentencing and be kept safe from intimidation.

• Victim-Witness Advocacy for the county works from 32 Rahway Avenue, 1st Floor, Elizabeth, NJ 07202, 908-527-4596, ext. 3857.
• The Victims of Crime Compensation Office, 877-658-2221, can help with a hospital or therapy bill, burial costs or a lost paycheck. Police must have a report of the crime within 9 months. Claims are due within 5 years of the crime.
• Sign up for release alerts on VINELink or by phone at 877-846-3465.