Skilled Criminal Defense in South Jersey’s Municipal Courts

While the criminal justice systems of most states distinguish between felonies and misdemeanors, New Jersey uses a different basis of distinction between the most serious offenses and less serious crimes. Our state uses the term “indictable offenses” to apply to crimes charged and resolved in Superior Court, while offenses that expose the defendant to lesser punishment are covered under the catchall term “disorderly persons” offenses, which are heard in municipal court.

At Taylor & Boguski, LLC , our attorneys have decades of experience with the defense of municipal court cases on a wide variety of charges. We practice frequently in the municipal courts of Camden County, Burlington County and other South Jersey jurisdictions. We are familiar with the prosecutors, the judges and the different rules as they vary from one municipal court to another. Contact us in Mount Laurel to learn how our municipal court defense experience can benefit you.

Understanding Municipal Court Defense Practice in South Jersey

Municipal court cases are tried without a jury and cannot be punished by a jail term of more than six months. Indictable offenses, or crimes that carry more severe penalties, must be resolved in superior court, where the procedures are more formal and the defendant is entitled to a jury trial. Sometimes prosecutors will agree to keep a borderline indictable offense in municipal court, which will often represent an important procedural victory for the defendant. Adverse results in municipal court can be appealed to superior court.

Examples of the kinds of cases our criminal defense lawyers handle in municipal court include:

• DWI charges
• Juvenile offenses, including underage drinking and DWI charges against drivers under 21
• Domestic violence
• Simple assault
• Traffic violations that can lead to license suspension or revocation
• Disorderly conduct
• Criminal mischief
• Property crimes like shoplifting, petty theft or vandalism
• Possession of drugs or drug paraphernalia

For many offenses heard in municipal court, the judge has wide discretion to match sentences to the specific characteristics of the offense and the offender. With more than 65 years of combined experience in municipal court practice, the attorneys of Taylor & Boguski can give you a good idea whether this discretion is likely to work in your favor under the facts of your case in a particular location.

Call 856-234-2233 or 800-404-5299 for Municipal Court Defense Advice

Whether the offense you have been charged with originates as an indictable offense or a disorderly persons charge, it is often an advantage to keep the case in municipal court whenever possible. To learn how our experience with municipal court practice in South Jersey can work to your benefit, contact the criminal defense lawyers of Taylor & Boguski in Mount Laurel.

The lawyers at Taylor & Boguski represent clients throughout South Jersey including the townships of Mount Laurel, Cherry Hill, Mt. Holly, Burlington, Gloucester, Camden, Moorestown, Medford, Voorhees, Haddonfield, Marlton, and Evesham, and the counties of Burlington, Gloucester, Mercer, and Camden.