Municipal Court

IMPORTANT:

Municipal Court Sessions will now be conducted virtually/remotely to minimize exposure to COVID-19. Accordingly, all defendants are to contact the municipal court via email theresa.platvoet@njcourts.gov or at 973-239-1410 ext. 207 to provide your full name and email address.

Attending Municipal Court Remotely: What to Do and What to Expect – YouTube

Municipal Court of the Township of Cedar Grove

The Municipal Court is a court of limited jurisdiction. The Court handles motor vehicle and traffic violations, fish and game infractions, disorderly persons offenses, domestic violence cases, minor drug offenses, violations of municipal ordinances, other non-indictable offenses not within the exclusive jurisdiction of the Superior Court of New Jersey, penalty enforcement, complimentary methods of dispute resolution, and all other proceedings in which jurisdiction is granted by State Statute.

Mission Statement

The Municipal Court of the Township of Cedar Grove is an independent branch of government constitutionally entrusted with the fair and just resolution of disputes in order to preserve the rule of law and to protect the rights and liberties guaranteed by the constitution and laws of the United States and the State of New Jersey.The Municipal Court of the Township of Cedar Grove is an independent branch of government constitutionally entrusted with the fair and just resolution of disputes in order to preserve the rule of law and to protect the rights and liberties guaranteed by the constitution and laws of the United States and the State of New Jersey.

Statement of Core Values

Required to accomplish our mission are four paramount values representing the core of what we stand for as an organization: Independence, Integrity, Fairness and Quality Service.

Court Sessions

Required to accomplish our mission are four paramount values representing the core of what we stand for as an organization: Independence, Integrity, Fairness and Quality Service.Court sessions are generally held on the first and fourth Wednesday of each month at 1:00 PM and on the second and third Wednesday of each month at 5:00 PM.

Judge: Nicholas S. Brindisi, JMC
Court Administrator: Theresa Platvoet, CMCA
Deputy Administrator: Courtney Demarest, DMCA
Public Defender: Peter Russo (973) 429-1900
Telephone: 973-239-1410 x -207 and 205 Fax line: 973-239-0312
Prosecutor: Robert J. Candido, Esq. 973-857-8000

Complimentary Dispute Resolution-Mediation

A criminal complaint signed by a private citizen for some violations will result in a Court hearing. The Judge may require the complainant and the defendant to try and resolve the issues through mediation. In such cases, a conference will be scheduled with a trained mediator and the parties involved. If mediation successfully addresses the issues, upon mutual agreement and approval of the Judge, the complaint may be dismissed. If an agreement is not reached through mediation the matter will be scheduled for trial by the Judge.

Pay a Ticket Online


Pay your ticket online

Defense by Affidavit in Certain Cases

For any offense not listed on this Schedule or on a Local Supplemental Violations Bureau Schedule (see Part VI), a court appearance is required, unless the court authorizes a defense by affidavit in accordance with the provisions of R. 7:12-3. For offenses involving traffic accidents resulting in personal injury, a court appearance is also required.

Authorization to Apply Bail Against Fine(s) and Costs and Waiver of Rights

By executing the form of Authorization to Apply Bail Against Fine(s) and Costs and Waiver of Rights, a defendant against whom a warrant has been issued waives the rights to a lawyer and a trial, enters a plea of guilty to the offense charged, and authorizes the municipal court administrator to apply the bail posted toward the payment of fines and costs owed. This form may be used for all offenses payable through the Violations Bureau.

Note: $2.00 of the court costs is to be deposited into the Automated Traffic System Fund for all violations payable through the Violations Bureau and an additional $.50 of the court costs on all violations of Title 39, other traffic and parking matters is to be deposited into the Emergency Medical Technician Training Fund. In addition, $2.00 of each fine and penalty imposed and collected for any violation of Title 39 or any other motor vehicle or traffic violation shall be forwarded to the State Treasurer, with $1.00 being deposited into the Body Armor Replacement Fund, pursuant to P.L. 1997, c.177, and $1.00 into the Spinal Cord Research Fund, pursuant to P.L. 1999, c. 201.

NJ Courts Upcoming Events

Landlord-Tenant Informational Seminar – May 4th, 2023