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MUNICIPAL COURT JUDGE:
Joseph P. Montalto, Esq.
COURT OFFICE ADDRESS:
City Hall
525 High Street
Burlington NJ 08016
OFFICE HOURS:
M–F 9am–5pm
MAP: City Hall Location
TEL: 609-386-0200 exts. 175, 176, 177, 178, 179
FAX: 609-386-4005
CELL:
E-MAIL:
COURT ADMINISTRATOR:
Liz Fitzpatrick
MUNICIPAL COURT IS HELD:
FIRST APPEARANCES start 2pm Thursdays
TRIALS held every Monday 5pm
City Hall
525 High Street
Burlington NJ 08016
See Map
LAWYER REFERRALS
Burlington County Bar Association
45 Grant Street
Mount Holly NJ 08060
TEL: 609-261-5423
DIVISION OF MOTOR VEHICLES
General Info: TEL: 609-272-6500
Suspensions / Restorations:
TEL: 609-272-7500
MUNICIPAL COURT DIVISION
COUNTY SUPERIOR COURT
County Courts Facility
49 Rancocas Road
Mount Holly NJ 08060
TEL: 609-518-2515
NJ State Judiciary Website
Court & Court Office, New City Hall, High St.
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MUNICIPAL COURT
AVAILABLE ON THIS PAGE:
City of Burlington Municipal Court
Court Office
Payment of Fines
Court Staff
What Staff Can and Cannot Do
Municipal Court Judge
Mediation
Your Rights as a Defendant
The Municipal Court is a local court created by state law. Its territory is confined to the City. New Jersey Court Rules govern its practices and procedures. The Municipal Court Judge oversees administration. The presiding Judge of the Municipal Court (County Courthouse, Mount Holly) oversees administration of all Burlington County Municipal Courts, and reports to the County’s highest judge, the Assignment Judge. Municipal Court presides over cases, including:
- violations of municipal ordinances
- violations of motor vehicle and traffic laws
- disorderly person’s offenses
- petty disorderly person’s offenses and
- other non-indictable offenses,
except where exclusive jurisdiction is given to the Superior Court. Also included within this jurisdiction are:
- violations of fish and game laws
- weights and measures and
- marine police.
For further information
For more info about the Municipal Courts,
- Come in and ask for our FREE “Municipal Courts Informational Guide”
- Click on the link to FAQ / Q&As about this topic at left
- The New Jersey Court Rules, statutes and other legal references are available at the Law Library located in County Courts Facility, 49 Rancocas Road, Mount Holly. Burlington County Library in Westampton and the Burlington County College Library in Pemberton also have some legal references.
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Municipal Court is held every Monday 5pm
New City Hall
525 High Street
Burlington NJ 08016
See MAP of Court Location in New City Hall
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Payment
The Violations Bureau payment window is open to the public M–F 9am to 5pm
New City Hall
525 High Street
Burlington NJ 08016
Staff
Court staff are interested in answering all procedural questions about how the court will handle your case. Court staff cannot offer legal advice or make recommendations to you about your case.
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Guidelines for Assistance
COURT STAFF CAN...
- explain and answer questions about how the court works
- tell you what the court requires in order to consider your case
- give you some info from your court file
- provide you with samples of court forms
- offer guidance on how to fill out forms
- usually answer questions about court deadlines
COURT STAFF CANNOT...
- give you legal advice
- tell you whether or not you should bring your case to court
- give you a prediction about your case’s outcome
- recommend a lawyer, but they CAN provide the phone number of a local lawyer referral service
- talk to the judge for you
- let you talk to the judge outside of court
- change an order issued by a judge
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The City of Burlington Municipal Court Judge is Joseph P. Montalto, esq.
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Mediation
The Judge, Court Administrator or a police officer may suggest that the parties try to settle their differences through Mediation, a confidential process which allows the parties to meet with a trained mediator to aid them in resolving their dispute. You may request mediation:
- instead of filing a formal complaint
- or, before your court date
The Court will decide if your case is eligible. Types of matters referred to mediation typically include:
- neighborhood disputes
- bad check cases
- disputes among co-workers
Mediation is scheduled through the Municipal Court and is held:
1st Wednesday each month starting at 9am
New City Hall
525 High Street
Burlington NJ 08016
(see Map directly below)
Mediation, New City Hall, High Street
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Your Rights as a Defendant in Municipal Courts in the State of New Jersey
- You have a RIGHT TO BE INFORMED OF THE CHARGES AGAINST YOU.
- You have the RIGHT TO REMAIN SILENT concerning the charges against you, and anything you say may be held against you.
- You may plead GUILTY or NOT GUILTY to certain non-indictable charges against you, such as: traffic offenses, disorderly persons offenses, and ordinances.
If you are charged with an INDICTABLE offense, the Judge cannot ask for your plea because you have the right to request a probable cause hearing before the Judge and a trial by jury at the County level if the Grand Jury indicts you.
There are, however, certain INDICTABLE offenses that may be tried by the Judge if you waive indictment and trial by jury in writing and the County Prosecutor consents. You have the right to be informed if you have been charged with such an offense.
- You have the RIGHT TO RETAIN AN ATTORNEY.
- You have the RIGHT TO BE ASSIGNED AN ATTORNEY IF:
- you are charged with an indictable offense and the State Public Defender determines that you cannot afford an attorney; or
- you are charged with an indictable offense and the Judge determines you cannot afford an attorney and there is a likelihood that if you are convicted you will either go to jail, receive a substantial fine or your driver’s license will be suspended.
- You have the RIGHT TO OBTAIN A REASONABLE POSTPONEMENT so that you may have an opportunity to consult with your attorney and prepare a proper defense.
- You are PRESUMED TO BE INNOCENT until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
- You have the RIGHT TO TESTIFY OR NOT TO TESTIFY in your behalf.
- You have the RIGHT TO CALL OR SUBPOENA witnesses to testify in your behalf.
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