Municipal Court

Purpose: To provide for a uniform standard for Municipal Court adjournment requests from participants and attorneys for both trials and hearings. This policy shall be administered with equal courtesy and respect to all parties.

Policy: All matters will proceed on the scheduled date unless, prior to said

date, there is an emergency that does not allow you to appear in court.  Proof of that emergency must be provided to the court before or a day after the court session to prevent from a bench warrant being issued. This policy applies to the Bound Brook Municipal Court only. Adjournments of trials shall not be granted as a matter of course. It shall be presumed that the time and date set forth in the trial notice are firm and final.  If there is a scheduling conflict with another court, you must provide a copy of that notice to our court for review.  If our matter is a DWI case and the violation date is older than your other court, please note we take precedence and the adjournment request will be denied.

DWI: Special attention shall be paid to DWI matters ensuring that all such matters are disposed of as reasonably close to the suggested guideline of 60 days as possible.  Adjournments that cause delays past that time frame are to be granted only for the most valid and compelling reasons.

Procedure:

First Appearances – all defendants with court mandatory matters must appear for their arraignment.  First appearances will not be waived for anyone unless the requests falls under the allowable reasons listed below.  If  Counsel has been retained by a defendant, the defendant must still appear in court for their first appearance, the Attorney’s appearance is not required.

Unrepresented defendants at first appearance shall be allowed a reasonable amount of time to obtain counsel if so desired.

All requests for an adjournment are to be in writing and submitted to the court at least 4 business days prior to the scheduled court date (if not possible, emergent reasons should be indicated).  All requests are to contain a name, address, telephone and fax number.   Requests are to contain the reason for the adjournment with back-up if required.

 Acceptable reasons for adjournment:

• Unavailability due to pre-planned, pre-paid vacation, conference, etc;
• Sudden illness of a party, witness or attorney (in appropriate cases, a medical certificate may be required);
• Conflicts in an attorney’s schedule that cannot be resolved after good faith efforts by that attorney;
• Conflicts with the Superior Court of that vicinage (liaisons with each judge has been distributed to the municipal court staff, copy enclosed);
• Inability to obtain or review discovery only if it is demonstrated that defense or defense counsel made timely requests and paid any required fees for such discovery;
• Such other reasons as deemed appropriate by the executive component of that court.
• Adjournment requests shall be reviewed and assessed based on the content and detail of the written submission.
• The request from counsel should indicate that the adversary has been notified (and if consent has been given), the witnesses have been notified (witnesses should be listed), and the age of the case.
• It will not be presumed that an adjournment has been granted because a request has been submitted.
• It will be the responsibility of the court to contact the party to inform him/her if the request has been granted and if so, the new court date and time.
• The use of “Ready Holds” should be granted based upon attorney requests to facilitate the timely movement of cases. (If Court can accommodate)

• No weapons are permitted in the court room or the municipal building.
• Please remain seated quietly in the court room.  Proceedings are taped and any background noise man cause interference on the tapes.  Talking or moving about unnecessarily may be considered disruptive.
• Please avoid bringing small children to court.  If you must bring them, be prepared to wait outside the court room until your case is called.
• Wear suitable clothing to court.  Shirts and shoes are required.  Hats are not permitted.
• Food, drink, gum chewing, books, cameras, radios, cell phones and beepers are not permitted in the court room.  Newspaper and magazine reading are not permitted when court in is session.
• Smoking is prohibited by law in all government buildings.

 Alcoholics Anonymous Hotline

1-800-322-5525

Board of Social Services

1-908-526-8800

Catholic Charities

1-908-722-1881

Child Abuse

1-800-792-8610

Domestic Violence Hotline

1-800-572-7233

Drug Hotline

1-800-225-0196

Family & Community Services

1-732-356-1082

Elderly Abuse

1-800-792-8820

Homeless Hotline

1-800-247-3270

IDRC (Intoxicated Driver Resource Center)

1-908-704-6309

Lawyer Referral Service

1-908-685-2323

Legal Services

1-908-231-0840

Lifeline

1-800-792-9745

Middle Earth

1-732-469-0027

Motor Vehicle Commission

1-609-292-7500

*License restoration, points, suspensions and surcharge*

 NJ Division of Youth & Family Services

1-800-331-3937

 Richard Hall (Substance Abuse Services)

1-908-725-2800

 Runaway Hotline

1-800-231-6946

 Somerset County Jail

1-908-231-7149

 Somerset County Probation Department

1-908-231-7111

 Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office

1-908-231-7100

 Somerset County Superior Court

1-908-231-7000

 Women Aware, Battered Women’s Shelter

1-732-249-4504

 Women’s Referral Center

1-800-322-8092