New Jersey Court System and Legal Procedures

25 vocabulary flashcards covering essential terms from the lecture on New Jersey courts, procedures, and dispute-resolution methods.

Municipal Court

The lowest court level in New Jersey, handling minor criminal matters, traffic offenses, and borough-ordinance violations for a specific town or city.

Court Staff

Clerks and support personnel who run day-to-day court operations; can greatly help—or hinder—attorneys and litigants based on attitude shown toward them.

Judge

The courtroom manager who ensures orderly proceedings, decides guilt or innocence, and imposes penalties.

Prosecutor

Attorney who represents the state in municipal or criminal matters and must prove the defendant’s guilt.

Public Defender

Court-appointed attorney for defendants who cannot afford private counsel, assigned after a financial application is approved by the judge.

Plea Bargain

An agreement in which a defendant pleads guilty in exchange for a reduced charge or penalty, used to keep court dockets manageable.

Nonjury Trial

Proceeding in which the judge alone decides the facts and verdict; mandatory in New Jersey municipal court cases.

Moving Violation

Traffic offense committed while a vehicle is in motion—e.g., speeding or reckless driving—that adds points to a driver’s record.

Driver License Points

Numerical penalties assessed for moving violations; excessive points can lead to suspension or inability to register a vehicle.

97-2 Unsafe Driving

New Jersey statute allowing a guilty plea to “unsafe driving” with no points (first two uses in five years) but high fines and surcharges.

Failure to Appear (FTA)

When a ticket recipient ignores a required court date or payment, potentially triggering a bench warrant for arrest.

Bench Warrant

Court order authorizing law enforcement to arrest a person who failed to appear or comply with court instructions.

Disorderly Persons Offense

Minor criminal violation in New Jersey (similar to a misdemeanor) such as simple assault or petty theft, punishable by up to six months in jail and fines.

Borough Ordinance

Local town law regulating issues like noise, garbage pickup, or property maintenance, enforceable in municipal court.

Appeal (Trial de Novo)

Request for a higher court judge to review a municipal-court decision solely on the written transcript, with no new testimony.

Plaintiff (π)

Party that initiates a lawsuit, claiming to have been injured and seeking compensation or relief.

Defendant (Δ)

Party being sued or prosecuted who contests the plaintiff’s claim or the state’s charges.

Special Civil Court

First full-time court level (countywide jurisdiction) in New Jersey for civil cases up to $15,000, including small claims and landlord-tenant matters.

Small Claims

Nonjury branch of Special Civil Court for quick resolution of civil disputes—usually under $5,000—using simplified procedures.

Arbitration

Binding ADR process where disputing parties agree a neutral third party will decide the case, replacing a court trial.

Mediation

Non-binding ADR process in which a neutral facilitator helps parties negotiate a mutually acceptable settlement.

Alternate Dispute Resolution (ADR)

Any method—such as arbitration or mediation—that resolves disputes outside a formal courtroom trial.

Landlord-Tenant Court (Summary Dispossess)

Nonjury proceeding focused on possession issues—primarily eviction for nonpayment of rent—rather than money judgments.

Jurisdictional Limit

Maximum monetary amount a court may award; Special Civil Court is capped at $15,000 unless parties consent to accept less.

Superior Court

Statewide trial court with unlimited monetary jurisdiction and multiple divisions (Law, Chancery, Family, Criminal) handling major civil and criminal cases.