For some people, it's their worst nightmare – being arrested or charged with a crime. For many of us, our primary exposure to the criminal justice system comes from TV shows or movies, which of course, leave out many of the details such as what happens just after your arrest, what goes on between arrest and trial, and what does this mean in terms of your future?
While this page will answer some of your questions and will tell you about the criminal court system in Warren County, NJ, the best way for you to get answers that explain your individual case is to contact a criminal defense attorney who has the experience and knowledge to listen to you and learn about your situation, explain what your options are, and help you defend yourself against the charges and get through what is most likely a very difficult time for you.
Joseph D. Lento is such an attorney. He has the experience defending clients against criminal charges in New Jersey and can help you understand your case and can explain how he can defend you against criminal charges in Warren County. Once you have reviewed the information on this page, feel free to contact Joseph Lento and the Lento Law Firm at (888) 535-3686 or through our contact form today to learn more about how we can help.
Criminal Cases in Warren County, NJ
Many defendants, particularly those charged with lower-level crimes, are released after their arrest “on their own recognizance,” meaning that the court places no restrictions on their everyday life other than requiring them to appear for hearings and trial. If this is the case for you, then you can basically continue to work, travel, and live your life as you did before your arrest.
In more serious cases, the court may impose conditions on your release from custody. Many of these are designed to make sure you return to court when required to; some are designed to make sure that you do not get into further trouble while awaiting trial. For example:
- Someone such as a family member may be assigned to take “temporary custody” of you to make sure you appear in court when required to.
- You might be prohibited from leaving New Jersey or the United States.
- The judge may order you to continue to work at your current job, or if you are unemployed, you might be required to look for work.
- You may be given a curfew.
- Almost like probation, you might be ordered to check in with a law enforcement officer on a regular basis.
- In situations where your alleged crime involved committing violence against someone else, you may be ordered to stay away from that person, including staying away from places where that person can frequently be found (commonly known as a restraining order).
If you violate any conditions the judge imposes on your release, the judge may decide to place you in custody until your trial or require you to post bail to remain free (though recent bail reform laws have greatly reduced the number of situations where defendants are required to post bail in order to remain free until trial). If you find yourself in a situation where the judge is considering keeping you in jail until your trial, a skilled New Jersey criminal defense attorney can negotiate on your behalf to try to avoid that and keep any conditional restrictions at a minimum.
What Happens if Convicted
Even in cases where you are convicted of relatively minor crimes in Warren County, NJ, the effects can be significant and go well beyond whatever your sentence may be. Of course, you will have to deal with your sentence, which depending on the crime, can mean any combination of probation, fines, community service, and time in jail. But beyond that, you need to be prepared for the following:
- Problems with your finances. Crime doesn't pay, and neither does jail. If you're in jail, you can't make a living and won't be able to support yourself or your family. Even if you do avoid jail time, if your employer learns of your conviction, it could jeopardize your job.
- Reduced ability to get a good job. After you've served your sentence, the fact that you've been convicted of a crime can make it much harder to find work. Employers often screen for prior convictions and may automatically reject job applicants who have them. And some professions that require certifications or licenses are closed to people who have been convicted of certain crimes.
- Poorer housing prospects. Landlords may not want to rent to someone who has a criminal conviction, and lenders may not want to give home loans to applicants who have a criminal record. For some crimes, particularly sex-related crimes, you may be prohibited from living near schools, playgrounds, or community centers that serve children.
- Losing custody. A single parent who is in jail can't care for their kids, and if there is no close relative available to step in, your children may end up in foster care. If you co-parent with a spouse or partner and there is ever a custody dispute, your conviction may be used against you.
Types of Crimes in New Jersey
There are two main types of crimes in New Jersey: disorderly persons offenses, which are like misdemeanors in other states, and indictable offenses, which are like felonies.
Disorderly Persons Offenses in New Jersey
Disorderly persons offenses are the less-serious class of crimes in New Jersey, similar to what most states call misdemeanors. The sentences imposed are generally lighter than for more serious crimes. Examples of these kinds of crimes include:
- Disorderly conduct
- Shoplifting (under $200)
- Simple assault
- Resisting arrest
- Writing bad checks
- Harassment
If you've been charged with a disorderly persons offense somewhere in Warren County, your case will be heard at a Municipal Court located in the town or borough where you were charged, whether that is in Allamuchy, Port Murray, Belvidere, Phillipsburg, or another city or borough. We have listed each of the Warren County Municipal Court locations below.
Sentences for these kinds of offenses are usually relatively mild and can include probation, community service, and fines, or a combination of them, especially if you are a first-time offender. In more serious disorderly persons cases, however, you can face fines of up to $1000 and up to six months in jail. If you have an experienced criminal defense attorney by your side, it can often be a great help in reducing the penalties of a conviction. And at times, if the facts and law support it, your attorney may be able to have some or all of the charges against you dismissed.
Indictable Offenses in New Jersey
An indictable offense is much more serious than a disorderly persons defense, similar to a felony in most other states. The underlying crimes are more severe, as are the potential penalties. Some examples of indictable offenses in New Jersey include:
- Homicide
- Manslaughter
- Unlawful possession of a weapon
- Aggravated assault
- Armed robbery
- Burglary
- Forgery
- Kidnapping
- Drug distribution
- Lewdness
- Sexual assault/rape
- Marijuana possession (more than 6 ounces)
There are four levels of Indictable offenses: Fourth, Third, Second, and First Degree crimes, each with progressively harsher sentences. By way of example, a Fourth Degree offense has a maximum penalty of 18 months in prison and $10,000 in fines, while a First Degree offense can result in life imprisonment and fines up to $200,000.
Courts in Warren County, New Jersey
There are both Municipal Courts and a Superior Court in Warren County. They handle different types of cases, as described in more detail below. It's important to make sure that you appear at the proper court, so this page also includes a directory of court locations.
Municipal Courts in Warren County
The Municipal Courts are the lowest tier in the New Jersey criminal court system. They handle almost all minor offenses, including disorderly persons offenses. Municipal Court trials are not jury trials; the judge is the one who considers the evidence and arguments presented by the prosecution and the defense, then applies the law to render a verdict. If the verdict is guilty, the judge also pronounces the sentence. Municipal Courts also handle some preliminary aspects of an indictable offense, but not the trials; those are handled by the Superior Court, as described further below.
Warren County is served by 22 Municipal Courts. Note that some courts share locations with one or more other courts:
Alpha Borough Municipal Court
1001 East Boulevard
Alpha, NJ 08865
Phone: 908-454-3211
Belvidere Town Municipal Court
691 Water Street
Belvidere, NJ 07823
Phone: 908-475-5331
Blairstown Township Municipal Court
151 US Highway 206
Augusta, NJ 07822
Phone: 973-948-4045
Central Warren Joint Court
100 Port Murray Road
Port Murray, NJ 07865
Phone: 908-689-7066
Franklin Township Municipal Court
691 Water Street
Belvidere, NJ 07823
Phone: 908-475-5331
Frelinghuysen Township Municipal Court
691 Water Street
Belvidere, NJ 07823
Phone: 908-475-5331
Greenwich Township Municipal Court
50 Municipal Drive
Phillipsburg, NJ 08865
Phone: 908-454-6121
Hackettstown Municipal Court
215 Stiger Street
Hackettstown, NJ 07840
Phone: 908-852-0688
Hardwick Township Municipal Court
407 Great Meadows Road
Hope, NJ 07844
Phone: 908-459-5800
Harmony Township Municipal Court
691 Water Street
Belvidere, NJ 07823
Phone: 908-475-5331
Independence Municipal Court
286B US Route 46
Great Meadows, NJ 07838
Phone: 908-637-4124
Knowlton Township Municipal Court
292 Alphano Road
Allamuchy, NJ 07820
Phone: 908-852-6667
Liberty Township Municipal Court
691 Water Street
Belvidere, NJ 07823
Phone: 908-475-5331
Lopatcong Township Municipal Court
232 South Third Street
Phillipsburg, NJ 08865
Phone: 908-859-3355
Mansfield Township Municipal Court
100 Port Murray Road
Port Murray, NJ 07865
Phone: 908-689-7066
North Warren Municipal Court
407 Great Meadows Road
Hope, NJ 07844
Phone: 908-459-5800
Oxford Township Municipal Court
100 Port Murray Road
Port Murray, NJ 07865
Phone: 908-689-7066
Phillipsburg Municipal Court
1001 East Boulevard
Alpha, NJ 08865
Phone: 908-454-3211
Pohatcong Township Municipal Court
50 Municipal Drive
Phillipsburg, NJ 08865
Phone: 908-454-6121
Washington Borough Court
100 Port Murray Road
Port Murray, NJ 07865
Phone: 908-689-7066
Washington Township Municipal Court
100 Port Murray Road
Port Murray, NJ 07865
Phone: 908-689-7066
White Township Municipal Court
407 Great Meadows Road
Hope, NJ 07844
Phone: 908-459-5800
Superior Courts in Warren County
The Superior Courts are where indictable offenses are tried. These are jury trials unless the defendant requests otherwise. If you're charged with an indictable offense in Warren County, your trial will take place at the Superior Court in Belvidere:
Warren County Superior Court
Warren County Courthouse
413 2nd Street, Belvidere, NJ 07823
Phone: 908-750-8100
What if I Wish to Appeal a Verdict?
If you and your attorney believe that important parts of your trial have been conducted erroneously or that the verdict was unfair, you have the right to appeal to the Appellate Division of the Superior Court. The Appellate Division does not re-try cases; instead, it reviews the record of your trial, considers the arguments presented by your attorney and the prosecution, then applies the law to determine whether you received a fair trial or not. If it decides you did not receive a fair trial, it may overturn the verdict against you or, depending on the situation, send your case back to the Superior Court with instructions as to how to re-do all or part of the trial.
There is also a Supreme Court in New Jersey. This is also an appellate court like the Appellate Division and is New Jersey's highest court. The Supreme Court only considers a very small number of the cases that are presented to it, and generally speaking, it is very unlikely that your case will end up there.
Experienced Criminal Defense Attorney for Warren County, New Jersey
If you've been accused of a crime in Warren County, New Jersey—no matter how minor the offense—it is important that you choose an experienced and dedicated criminal defense attorney to help defend you and work to achieve the best outcome for your case. Joseph D. Lento has years of experience defending clients in Warren County courtrooms. He understands how the courts, the prosecutors, and the judges work, and he will position your defense for the best possible outcome. Don't take chances with your future; hire an attorney with the experience and dedication to provide you with the best chance of success in your case. Contact the Lento Law Firm at (888) 535-3686 or through our contact form today to learn more about how we can help.
