MUNICIPAL COURT INFORMATION

Plea of Not Guilty:

If you intend to plead not guilty to a Summons and Complaint and have a trial, you must notify the Court, whose address and telephone number are on the home page and on the back of the summons, of your intention prior to the notice to appear date on the bottom of the summons. If you fail to notify the Court, it may be necessary for you to make 2 court appearances.

Court Appearance Required:

If "Court Appearance Required" is checked on your Summons and Complaint, you must appear in court at the time and date indicated on the bottom of the summons, even if you wish to plead guilty. If "Court Appearance Required" is not checked on your Summons and Complaint, you may still have to appear in court if the charge is not listed on the State or Local Violations Bureau Schedule.

Plea of Guilty: Payment Through Violations Bureau:

If you wish to plead guilty and give up your rights to have a lawyer and a trial you may do so provided "Court Appearance Required" has not been checked on your Summons and Complaint and provided the charge is listed on the Violation Bureau Schedule. The more frequently charged offenses are listed in the &Fines" section. You may also telephone the Court to determine whether other offenses are listed and the amount of the penalty. If the Violations Bureau is authorized to dispose of the charge, bring or mail the Summons and Complaint, together with payment in the amount of the prescribed penalty, to the Violations Bureau at the address indicated prior to the court date on the bottom of the Summons and Complaint.
If payment is made by mail, DO NOT send cash but send check or money order payable to this Municipal Court. If payment is received by the Violations Bureau after the appearance date, you may be assessed additional penalties. A receipt will be sent to you ONLY if your payment is accompanied by a self-addressed, stamped envelope.

REQUEST FOR PUBLIC DEFENDER

If you intend to plead not guilty and wish to have the Public Defender represent you in your matter before the Judge, you may obtain the application at the Violation Bureau, Monday through Friday, 9:30 AM to 4:30 PM, before your Court Appearance Date or at the Court date on your Summons and Complaint. Complete the application with all your information. The Judge will review you request. If the Judge approves the Public Defender to represent you, there is a fee of not more than $200.00 for the Public Defender's services. This fee MUST be paid before your trial date.