N.J.S.A. 2B:12-1 provides the statutory basis for establishment of municipal courts in the state of New Jersey. This statute also provides for the establishment, under certain circumstances, of a countywide “central municipal court” to hear complaints filed by county officials. Specifically, N.J.S.A. 2B:12-1(e) provides:
Any county of the first class with a population of over 825,000 and a population density of less than 4,000 persons per square mile according to the latest federal decennial census, with a county police department and force established in accordance with N.J.S.40A:14-106 or a county park police system established in accordance with P.L.1960, c.135 (C.40:37-261 et seq.), may establish, by ordinance, a central municipal court, which shall be an inferior court of limited jurisdiction, to adjudicate cases filed by agents of the county health department, agents of the county office of consumer affairs, members of the county police department and force or county park police system, or other cases within its jurisdiction referred by the vicinage Assignment Judge pursuant to the Rules of Court, and provide for its administration. A copy of that ordinance shall be filed with the Administrative Director of the Courts. As used in this act, “municipal court” includes a central municipal court.
Currently, only Bergen County meets these requirements and has established a central municipal court. The Bergen County Central Municipal Court is located at 71 Hudson Street in Hackensack, NJ. If you have been charged with an offense in this court, the consequences can be just as severe as those in a typical municipal court setting. Thus, it is generally advisable to seek legal counsel from an experienced municipal court lawyer who is familiar with this court of limited jurisdiction.