If you have received a traffic ticket or were arrested for a lower-level offense, you will likely need to appear in the Voorhees Municipal Court. While it might not seem necessary, having our attorneys defend your case can save you trouble in the long run.
The consequences of a municipal court conviction should not be underestimated. While the matters the municipal court handles are not considered “serious” when compared to major crimes, you can still be sent to jail if convicted. Without a proper defense, you might also be fined to the full extent of the law. Our attorneys can help avoid the worst penalties by negotiating with the prosecution and challenging its evidence. If it is your first offense, our attorneys can argue the reasons for the mistake and why the case should be dismissed. We can also help expunge your record if you have been convicted in the municipal court previously.
For a free case review with our attorneys for a case in municipal court, contact the Lombardo Law Group, LLC by calling (609) 418-4537.
Understanding the Municipal Court in Voorhees, NJ
There are several courts in Voorhees hearing many types of cases. If you have been charged with a minor criminal offense, the municipal court is the venue most likely to hear your case. However, these cases should be taken seriously, as a conviction in municipal court can still result in jail time. Our attorneys for cases in municipal court can help defend you against your charges and what to expect moving forward. If you do not have experience with the court, the process can be confusing. The following describes how the municipal court in Voorhees operates:
When You Have to Appear in Municipal Court
Municipal courts typically hear cases for lower-level crimes, like traffic violations. For instance, the court will hear cases for relatively minor violations like speeding, as well as serious DWI and DUI cases.
Much of the municipal court docket also concerns disorderly persons offenses, such as shoplifting and trespassing. The court also deals with cases involving violations of local ordinances. The penalties vary for each type of case, which is why you will want to work with our firm to craft your defense.
Municipal courts sometimes hear cases for more serious crimes. Many crimes that can result in felony convictions begin in municipal court with a preliminary hearing before moving to the Superior Court in Camden County. However, most people who must appear in municipal court are not in jail awaiting their hearing.
How the Municipal Court Hears Cases
Many people think that a criminal trial with a jury will happen after an arrest. Municipal courts do not work that way, making the process confusing. Some defendants might not even be arrested before having to appear in court. Many times, a person charged with a minor criminal offense is given a ticket with a date instructing them on when to appear in court. That court date will be when the trial occurs unless there is a good reason to delay it.
However, a jury will not decide your case in municipal court. Jury trials are reserved for felony cases where the defendant could be imprisoned for more than a year. A conviction in municipal court can result in imprisonment of between 30 days and six months, so defendants do not have a right to a jury.
Instead, a judge will act as the factfinder and decide the case. This is known as a “bench” trial. It will still work like a typical trial. Our attorneys can fight the prosecution’s case by submitting evidence, cross-examining witnesses, and making closing arguments to the judge. These trials tend to move fast and conclude within the same day they start.
What Happens When You Miss a Court Date
Missing a court date is never a good idea. While the municipal court might only deal with lower-level offenses, not appearing in court could have more disastrous consequences than the original crime. Many defendants do not go to jail even if convicted in municipal court, but missing your court date could land you behind bars.
If you do not appear at the municipal court when required, a warrant can be issued for your arrest. When a case is called, the judge expects the defendant to be there. If they are not there and their attorney cannot explain why, the judge will issue a “bench” warrant. This gives police the power to arrest you and hold you until your next court appearance. For example, the police typically check for active warrants during a routine traffic stop and will arrest those who have been charged with a failure to appear in court.
Following Your Case in Municipal Court
The best way to follow your case is to work with our lawyers. We can negotiate with the prosecution before your court date to see if the case can be resolved without a trial. Most importantly, we will make sure you know exactly when you need to be in court and can prepare you.
However, we know those with pending cases want to keep a close eye on them. If you want to check information regarding your case in municipal court, you can search online through the New Jersey Courts’ website. You can search your case using your name, but you will usually get faster search results by inputting your case number or the ticket number on your citation. You will be able to see the basic information about the case, like the charges involved and past and upcoming court dates. We can answer any questions you have about the information you find online and provide much more than the case search will not reveal.
How Our Lawyers Can Help Your Municipal Court Case in Voorhees, NJ
Working with our attorneys can help avoid long-term consequences that can result from even municipal court convictions. While the charges might be minor, you still want to understand what you are facing. Our team will explain what you have been charged with and whether the facts line up with those charges. We can also let you know the potential consequences of the alleged offense. Once we understand the facts on which the charges are based, we can deal with the prosecution to have the case dropped or the charges reduced.
Before your next court hearing, we will prepare your defense. During this time, it is best not to speak about your case with the police or anyone else who could be called as a witness against you.
If you are convicted, we can usually still fight the case. If evidence was submitted that should not have been or if the court acted unfairly, we can file an appeal to have your case reviewed by the Superior Court de novo. This essentially gives you another chance to fight your charges.
Our Voorhees, NJ Municipal Court Attorneys Can Help Today
Call our attorneys for a case in municipal court at the Lombardo Law Group, LLC at (609) 418-4537 for a free case assessment.
