Middlesex Township Municipal Court Charges can Lead to Serious Consequences

Middlesex, New Jersey police issue the third highest volume of traffic tickets in New Jersey – especially for DUI and DWI offenses.  Any traffic stop can result in the driver being issued a traffic ticket or even some other criminal charge. If you, a friend or a family member have received a Middlesex Municipal Court notice with a date to appear, you need an experienced criminal and traffic court attorney.

If you plan to contest a ticket, if you do not appear on your court date or pay your fine, it is the same things as pleading guilty in traffic court.

At Clark and Clark, LLC, our lawyers have years of experience in aggressively advocating for clients charged with traffic violations including Drunk Driving, DUI/DWI, Possession of CDS (drugs) in a Motor Vehicle, Speeding, Reckless Driving, Careless Driving, Driving With a Suspended or Revoked License, Leaving the Scene of a Motor Vehicle Accident, and Driving Without Car Insurance.  Pleading to these charges without negotiating or contesting the charges leaves you open to thousands of dollars in fines, loss of driving privileges for two years or more and, in some cases, a county jail sentence.

Hire Criminal Defense Lawyers with Experience You Can Trust

From Monmouth County, New Jersey law offices, our criminal defense lawyers and former prosecutors are uniquely skilled in defending Middlesex Borough clients charged with any criminal offense including:

• Possession of Marijuana or distribution of marijuana;
• Possession of prescription drugs like Oxycodone and Roxicodone;
• Possession of Drug paraphernalia;
• Violent crimes, including disorderly conduct, resisting arrest, simple assault and aggravated assault;
• Assault arising from Domestic Violence;
• Harassment, criminal mischief and shoplifting.

Convictions for these types of criminal offenses carry the very serious and lasting consequence of a criminal record. The Middlesex Municipal Court Judge has the discretion to impose a sentence of up to 6 months in jail for anyone convicted of a criminal offense (disorderly persons offense), and levy hefty fines in excess of thousands of dollars.

Call us at (732) 303-7857 for a free consultation.

More Information About Middlesex Municipal Court

• Middlesex Courthouse Information
• I want to contest charges against me. How do I plead “not guilty” in court?

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Middlesex New Jersey Criminal Defense Lawyers

I contest charges against me. How do I plead “not guilty” in Middlesex Municipal Court?

About Middlesex Municipal Court Summons

If you were issued a traffic ticket or charged with certain criminal offenses in Middlesex, you will be sent a summons from the Middlesex Municipal Court. A summons will provide a date upon which the accused must appear in court if the charges were for any type of criminal offense. If the charges are for a traffic violation, the accused may be able to pay a fine in advance and avoid having to appear in court.

A Summons Date is Not a Trial Date

The summons date is not a trial date. It is a date that you must either appear in court or by which you must have made full payment for traffic offenses by that date. If you wish to contest any charges and plead “not guilty” to an offense you must take certain steps in advance of your summons date. You cannot contest charges on the date you were originally summoned, you must do so before your court date.

In traffic offenses, if you do not appear in court, or pay the traffic fine, it is the same thing as admitting to guilt for the traffic offense.

Contesting Charges – How to Plead Not Guilty in Middlesex Municipal Court

You may plead “not guilty” to any charge levied against you. However, to do so, you must contact the Middlesex Municipal Court and notify the prosecutor that you intend to plead not guilty before your summons date. The Court will then schedule you for case management and send you a hearing date to the address they have on file for you. If you move, or do not receive a hearing date in the mail, it is still your responsibility to contact the Court to find out your hearing date. Even if you did not receive your hearing notice in the mail, if you do not show up for your hearing, the judge may issue a warrant for your arrest and assess bail.

When you appear in court for case management you will be able to speak to the prosecutor and he will advise you of a possible plea agreement. This may sound like a simple process, but it is not and you should always have an attorney represent you if you plan to contest charges. The Middlesex Municipal Court prosecutor does not have to offer any agreement to accept lessor charges or to drop the charges against you. If the prosecutor does make an offer to reduce charges you do not have to accept it.

Having an attorney with you assures you that someone who understands the law and your rights will be on your side. The prosecutor’s job is not to defend you nor to represent your best interests.

If the prosecutor makes an offer, the judge will advise you of your rights and penalties that may be imposed for your violation and will reschedule your case for trial. The trial date will come to you via regular mail.

What to Bring With You To Trial

At trial, your attorney will present documentation, witnesses, and other evidence in your defense. Your attorney will advise you if you need to bring anything with you to court.

If You Live Outside the State and Cannot Appear in Aberdeen Municipal Court

Middlesex Municipal Court allows defendants who live outside the state of New Jersey to defend themselves by affidavit. However, defendants’ rights are limited. If you were charged with a serious crime, or an offense that carries “penalties of great consequence” you will likely have to appear in court even if you live outside the state.

The Court must approve your right to defend yourself by affidavit in advance of your trial date. If you are approved, the Court will send you a form to complete asking you to explain the circumstances of the offense(s) you were charged with. The form must be notarized and returned to the Court before your schedule court date.

It is important that you understand that if you exercise your right to defend yourself by affidavit, that you forfeit the right to appear in court and to cross examine any witnesses. The judge will read your affidavit and listen to the complaints against you and make a decision. The judge’s ruling will be sent to you in the mail.

Put Our Experience to Work Protecting Your Record

The consequences that flow from convictions for traffic violations or disorderly persons offenses could affect many things from the cost of car insurance to future employment opportunities to your education. A conviction can cause you to lose a scholarship, and some colleges and universities may refuse to admit someone with a serious conviction on record.

At Clark & Clark we have the skill and experience to investigate your case, analyze the evidence, and advise you on a course of action that is best for you. Whether we are seeking a dismissal, negotiating the best plea deal available, or defending your legal rights at a trial, we understand the system and how to make it best work for you. Call us at (732) 303-7857 for a free consultation.

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Put Our Experience to Work Protecting Your Record

The consequences that flow from convictions for traffic violations or disorderly persons offenses could affect many things from the cost of car insurance to future employment opportunities to your education. A conviction can cause you to lose a scholarship, and some colleges and universities may refuse to admit someone with a serious conviction on record.  Having a criminal record can also make it harder to lease housing, or get a job or promotion.

At Clark & Clark we understand what you are facing and have the skill and experience to investigate your case, analyze the evidence, and advise you on a course of action that is best for you.

Whether we are seeking a dismissal, negotiating the best plea deal available, or defending your legal rights at a trial, we know the justice system and how to make it best work for you. Call us at (732) 303-7857 for a free consultation.

General Information About Middlesex Municipal Court

The Municipal Court deals with every aspect of a moving violation , parking violation, or any petty disorderly person or disorderly person criminal complaint.

Court is held every Monday and Thursday night at 6:00pm.  Except for holidays.

Payments can be made Monday through Friday  from 9:00am to 4:00pm Except for holidays.   Phone 732.356.4644  Extension 245 or 279.

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Due Process Under Your Fourteenth Amendment Rights

The Fourteenth Amendment of the United States Constitution contains a Due Process Clause.

The Due Process clause protects certain rights of people who have been charged with a crime, but who have not yet been convicted of a crime from police brutality and the use of excessive force by police while in custody.

Law enforcement and correction officers may not use unreasonable force that amounts to punishment on pre-trial detainees (people who are awaiting trial while in prison, or otherwise being detained by police.)

Equal Protection For All

The Fourteenth Amendment also contains an Equal Protection Clause.  This clause requires all states to provide equal protection under the law to all people within its jurisdiction.

The Fourteenth Amendment reads:

All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the State wherein they reside. No State shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States; nor shall any State deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws.

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Fifth Amendment Rights Provided by The United States Constitution

The right to remain silent … and more

The main purpose of the Fifth Amendment is to provide protection to people against certain types of abuse by government (including law enforcement) authority.

About Miranda Rights

It is important to understand that in New Jersey, the police do not have to read you your Miranda Rights until you are taken into custody.  When they do read you your Miranda Rights, they are required to tell you that you have the right to remain silent, and if you give up that right, anything you say can be used against you.  But the police can also question you before an arrest — and anything you say before being read your Miranda Rights as part of this questioning can also be used against you.

The Fifth Amendment reads:

No person shall be held to answer for a capital, or otherwise infamous crime, unless on a presentment or indictment of a Grand Jury, except in cases arising in the land or naval forces, or in the Militia, when in actual service in time of War or public danger; nor shall any person be subject for the same offense to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb; nor shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself, nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation.

What This Means

The Fifth Amendment includes (but is not limited to):

• You have the right to due process.  This which means that you may not be deprived of life, liberty, or property without “due process of law.”
• You  have the right to remain silent (Miranda Rights – but you may need to express that you wish to exercise this right);
• You have the right to refuse to say anything that would incriminate you in federal or state court in a criminal or civil proceeding;
• Limits the use of evidence collected using illegal means by law enforcement officers;
• Protects people against double jeopardy so that they cannot be tried for the same crime twice if they were found innocent the first time.

Related Articles on Our Blog:

• In New Jersey What Are My Miranda Rights Really? – Can They Actually Protect Me?
• You have the right to remain silent — but you better speak up.

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New Jersey Criminal Defense Law

I want to contest charges against me.  How do I plead “not guilty” in court?

About Aberdeen Municipal Court Summons

When a person is issued a ticket or charged with certain criminal offenses in Aberdeen Township, they will be sent a summons from the Aberdeen Municipal Court. The summons will provide a court date upon which the accused must appear if the charges were for any type of criminal offense.  If the charges are for a traffic violation, the accused may be able to pay a fine in advance and avoid having to appear in court.  Paying a traffic fine and not appearing in court is the same thing as admitting to guilt for the traffic offense.

A Summons Date is Not a Trial Date

The summons date is not a trial date.  It is a date that the accused must either appear in court or have made full payment for traffic offenses by that date. If you wish to contest any charges and plead “not guilty” to an offense you must take certain steps in advance of your summons date.  You cannot contest charges on the date you were  originally summoned.

Contesting Charges – How to Plead Not Guilty

You may plead “not guilty” to any charge levied against you.  However, to do so, you must contact the Aberdeen Municipal Court and notify the prosecutor that you intend to plead not guilty before your summons date.  The Court will then schedule you for case management and send you a hearing date to the address they have on file for you.  If you move, or do not receive a hearing date in the mail, it is still your responsibility to contact the Court to find out your hearing date.  Even if you did not receive your hearing notice in the mail, if you do not show up for your hearing, the judge may issue a warrant for your arrest and assess bail.

When you appear in court for case management you will be able to speak to the prosecutor and he will advise you of a possible plea agreement.  This may sound like a simple process, but it is not and you should always have an attorney represent you if you plan to contest charges.  The Aberdeen Municipal Court prosecutor does not have to offer any agreement to accept lessor charges or to drop the charges against you.  If the prosecutor does make an offer to reduce charges you do not have to accept it.

Having an attorney with you assures you that someone who understands the law and your rights will be on your side.  The prosecutor’s job is not to defend you nor to represent your best interests.

If the prosecutor makes an offer, the judge will advise you of your rights and penalties that may be imposed for your violation and will reschedule your case for trial.  The trial date will come to you via regular mail.

What to Bring With You To Trial

At trial, your attorney will present documentation, witnesses, and other evidence in your defense. Your attorney will advise you if you need to bring anything with you to court.

If You Live Outside the State and Cannot Appear in Aberdeen Municipal Court

Aberdeen Municipal Court allows defendants who live outside the state of New Jersey to defend themselves by affidavit. However, defendants’ rights are limited.  If you were charged with a serious crime, or an offense that carries “penalties of great consequence” you will likely have to appear in court even if you live outside the state.

The Court must approve your right to defend yourself by affidavit in advance of your trial date.  If you are approved, the Court will send you a form to complete asking you to explain the circumstances of the offense(s) you were charged with. The form must be notarized and returned to the Court before your schedule court date.

It is important that you understand that if you exercise your right to defend yourself by affidavit, that you forfeit the right to appear in court and to cross examine any witnesses.  The judge will read your affidavit and listen to the complaints against you and make a decision.  The judge’s ruling will be sent to you in the mail.

Put Our Experience to Work Protecting Your Record

The consequences that flow from convictions for traffic violations or disorderly persons offenses could affect many things from the cost of car insurance to future employment opportunities to your education. A conviction can cause you to lose a scholarship, and some colleges and universities may refuse to admit someone with a serious conviction on record.

At Clark & Clark we have the skill and experience to investigate your case, analyze the evidence, and advise you on a course of action that is best for you. Whether we are seeking a dismissal, negotiating the best plea deal available, or defending your legal rights at a trial, we understand the system and how to make it best work for you. Call us at (732) 303-7857 for a free consultation.

Top

Put Our Experience to Work Protecting Your Record

The consequences that flow from convictions for traffic violations or disorderly persons offenses could affect many things from the cost of car insurance to future employment opportunities to your education. A conviction can cause you to lose a scholarship, and some colleges and universities may refuse to admit someone with a serious conviction on record.

At Clark & Clark we have the skill and experience to investigate your case, analyze the evidence, and advise you on a course of action that is best for you. Whether we are seeking a dismissal, negotiating the best plea deal available, or defending your legal rights at a trial, we understand the system and how to make it best work for you. Call us at (732) 303-7857 for a free consultation.

General Information About Aberdeen Township Municipal Court

Address: Aberdeen Square, Aberdeen, New Jersey 07747

Phone: (732) 583-4200
Fax: (732) 290-3171

Court Information: Court Sessions are held every Wednesday at 9:00 a.m. The Aberdeen Municipal Court Judge is the Honorable Scott Basen, JMC. The prosecutor is Allen Falk, and the administrator is Michele T. Weiczoreck. Aberdeen police issue a high volume of traffic tickets, especially for speeding. The court also handles many cases of DWI, and minor criminal offenses such as drug possession charges and shoplifting charges.

Aberdeen Municipal Court Website: http://www.aberdeennj.org/dept_court_main.html.

Driving Directions to Aberdeen Municipal Court

North to South

Take Garden State Parkway to Exit 117A Aberdeen/Matawan Exit.
Make Right Hand Turn onto Lloyd Rd.
Take Lloyd Road to Light, Make Right Turn onto Church St.
Go Through Light on Church, Make Left Turn onto 1 Aberdeen Square

South to North

Take Garden State Parkway to Exit 117 Hazlet/Keyport Exit.
After Ramp Make Right Hand Turn onto Clark St.
At Stop Sign Make Right Hand Turn onto Beer St.
At Light Make Right onto Bethany Rd.
Continue Through 3 Traffic Lights, We’re on Your Left

Aberdeen Township Municipal Court – Serious Consequences – You need Criminal Defense Lawyers with Experience You Can Trust

Our Monmouth County criminal defense lawyers and former prosecutors are uniquely skilled in defending our Aberdeen Township clients charged with traffic violations and criminal offenses.  There are many ways our attorneys can help you deal with municipal court issues, including legal representation for:

• Non-DWI Traffic/Moving Offenses (i.e. speeding, failure to yield, etc.)
• Speeding
• Driving on a Suspended or Revoked License
• Driving with no insurance
• Reckless driving
• Careless driving
• Leaving the scene of a motor vehicle accident
• Disorderly and Petty Disorderly Persons Offenses (DP/PDP) (i.e. domestic violence)
• Possession of under 50 grams of marijuana
• Shoplifting
• Theft
• Criminal mischief
• Simple assault
• Trespassing
• Harassment
• Underage possession or use of alcohol
• Indictable Offenses – (serious criminal matters in Municipal Court are transferred to Superior Court)
• DWI Offenses (Driving While Intoxicated)

Convictions for these types of criminal offenses carry the very serious and lasting consequence of a criminal record. The Aberdeen Township Municipal Court Judge has the discretion to impose a sentence of up to 6 months in jail for anyone convicted of a criminal offense (disorderly persons offense), and levy hefty fines in excess of thousands of dollars.

We are also able to defend you against more serious charges, including:

• Possession of Marijuana or distribution of marijuana;
• Possession of prescription drugs like Oxycodone and Roxicodone;
• Possession of Drug paraphernalia;
• Violent crimes, including disorderly conduct, resisting arrest, simple assault and aggravated assault;
• Assault arising from Domestic Violence;
• Harassment, criminal mischief and shoplifting.

With over 35 years of criminal trial experience, our lawyers have handled literally thousands of these types of traffic offenses and criminal charges. In cases where our clients have been innocent, we have gone to trial and won. At times we have been able to avoid trial by demonstrating our client’s innocence to the prosecutor after having investigated the case, reviewed the police reports, and interviewed the witnesses and police officers. Another common approach we have utilized with much success is to conduct a hearing and seek suppression of the State’s evidence which was unlawfully obtained after an unconstitutional search by the police.

Call us at (732) 303-7857 for a free consultation.

More Information About Aberdeen TWP Municipal Court

• FAQS About Aberdeen TWP Municipal Court Criminal Offenses: Disorderly & Petty Disorderly Persons Violations
• Aberdeen TWP Municipal Court Offenses – Types of offenses heard by the court, potential consequences, and how we can help you.
• I want to contest charges against me.  How do I plead “not guilty” in court?

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New Jersey Traffic Court and Criminal Defense Lawyers

Experienced Former Prosecutors Who Know How Best to Safeguard Your Record in Aberdeen Municipal Court

Aberdeen Township, New Jersey police issue a high volume of traffic tickets – especially for speeding and DWI offenses.  Any traffic stop can result in the driver being issued a traffic ticket or even some other criminal charge. If you, a friend or a family member have received an Aberdeen Municipal Court notice with a date to appear, you need an experienced criminal and traffic court attorney.

At Clark and Clark, LLC, our lawyers have aggressively advocated for clients charged with a traffic violations including Drunk Driving, DUI/DWI , Possession of CDS (drugs) in a Motor Vehicle, Speeding, Reckless Driving, Careless Driving, Driving With a Suspended or Revoked License, Leaving the Scene of a Motor Vehicle Accident, and Driving Without Car Insurance.   Pleading to these charges without negotiating or contesting the charges leaves you open to thousands of dollars in fines, loss of driving privileges for two years or more and, in some cases, a county jail sentence.

You Are Facing Serious Consequences – You need Criminal Defense Lawyers with Experience You Can Trust

Our Monmouth County criminal defense lawyers and former prosecutors are uniquely skilled in defending our Aberdeen Township clients charged with any criminal offense including:

• Possession of Marijuana or distribution of marijuana;
• Possession of prescription drugs like Oxycodone and Roxicodone;
• Possession of Drug paraphernalia;
• Violent crimes, including disorderly conduct, resisting arrest, simple assault and aggravated assault;
• Assault arising from Domestic Violence;
• Harassment, criminal mischief and shoplifting.

Convictions for these types of criminal offenses carry the very serious and lasting consequence of a criminal record. The Aberdeen Township Municipal Court Judge has the discretion to impose a sentence of up to 6 months in jail for anyone convicted of a criminal offense (disorderly persons offense), and levy hefty fines in excess of thousands of dollars.

There is No Better Way to Safeguard Your Record Than With Our Experience

Criminal Charges. You don’t have to plead guilty to the initial charges even if you may have violated the law. In almost every single case we have handled, our criminal attorneys have successfully convinced the Aberdeen Township Municipal Prosecutor to amend the charges to a less serious charge, such as a non-criminal Aberdeen Township Ordinance violation. In other words, we have been able to negotiate pleas to Aberdeen Township Ordinances that are not considered crimes or criminal acts on your record.

Traffic Charges. The same principal of plea negotiations applies to traffic charges. Our attorneys are almost always able to convince the Aberdeen Township Municipal Prosecutor to amend a traffic ticket to a non-point or reduced point traffic offense or an offense that does not affect our client’s driver’s license. A common example in traffic cases is where our client has been issued a summons for careless driving, reckless driving, or speeding. Here, we are usually able to convince the prosecutor to offer a plea to unsafe driving, which is a no point traffic infraction that carries only a fine.

With over 35 years of criminal trial experience, our lawyers have handled literally thousands of these types of traffic offenses and criminal charges. In cases where our clients have been innocent, we have gone to trial and won. At times we have been able to avoid trial by demonstrating our client’s innocence to the prosecutor after having investigated the case, reviewed the police reports, and interviewed the witnesses and police officers. Another common approach we have utilized with much success is to conduct a hearing and seek suppression of the State’s evidence which was unlawfully obtained after an unconstitutional search by the police.

Put Our Experience to Work Protecting Your Record

The consequences that flow from convictions for traffic infractions or disorderly persons offenses could affect many things from the cost of auto insurance to future employment opportunities. A conviction can also have serious ramifications for college students – you can lose your scholarship, and some colleges and universities may refuse to admit someone with a serious conviction on record.

That is why when you get your day in court having knowledgeable legal representation at your side is in your best interest. We have the years of trial and negotiating experience you need to achieve the most favorable outcome.

If you have been issued a traffic summons in Aberdeen Township, or if you have been arrested by the Aberdeen Township Police or State police and charged with a crime, disorderly persons offense, DUI/DWI, or other traffic offense, we can help.

At Clark & Clark we have the skill and experience to investigate your case, analyze the evidence, and advise you on a course of action that is best for you. Whether we are seeking a dismissal, negotiating the best plea deal available, or defending your legal rights at a trial, we understand the system and how to make it best work for you. Call us at (732) 303-7857 for a free consultation.

More Information About Aberdeen Municipal Court

• FAQS About Aberdeen Municipal Court Criminal Offenses: Disorderly & Petty Disorderly Persons Violations
• Aberdeen Municipal Court Information – Location, direction, and general court house information.
• How do I contest charges?  How do I plead not guilty?

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