New Brunswick Municipal Court — What to Expect and How to Prepare
New Brunswick Criminal Lawyer
Criminal, disorderly persons, traffic and DWI charges arising in New Brunswick are frequently handled in New Brunswick Municipal Court. The court hears matters ranging from motor vehicle violations and driving while intoxicated to shoplifting, simple assault, disorderly conduct and other offenses within municipal court jurisdiction.
New Brunswick is also the county seat of Middlesex County, so it is important to distinguish cases handled in the municipal court from more serious indictable matters that may proceed through the Superior Court of New Jersey in Middlesex County.
New Brunswick Municipal Court
25 Kirkpatrick Street, New Brunswick, NJ 08903
Telephone: 732-745-5089
Email: NewBrunswick.MC@njcourts.gov
Court Staff & Contacts
Municipal Court JudgesLorraine Nielsen, Chief Municipal Court Judge
Katty Wong-Taylor, Municipal Court Judge
Kimberly A. Milligan, Court Administrator, Ext. 6206
Kimberly.Milligan@NJCourts.gov
Kathleen Eck, Deputy Court Administrator, Ext. 6204
Kathleen.Eck@NJCourts.gov
Kaitlyn Olarra, Deputy Court Administrator, Ext. 6212
Kaitlyn.Olarra@NJCourts.gov
732-745-5180
Court TelephoneCourt Calendar & Office Hours
Published Court SessionsMonday – Thursday
8:50 a.m., 11:00 a.m., 11:50 a.m. and 1:00 p.m.
Court Sessions — In Person
Monday – Thursday
8:45 a.m., 11:00 a.m., 11:45 a.m. and 1:00 p.m.
Monday – Friday: 8:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Private citizen complaints are accepted for filing until 3:00 p.m.
Check the official court page and appearance instructions →
Your summons or latest court notice controls your date, time, courtroom and whether you attend in person or virtually.
Parking & Arrival
The courthouse is at 25 Kirkpatrick Street in downtown New Brunswick. Street parking can be difficult to find and metered parking may be required. Several large parking decks are within a short walk, including the New Street Parking Deck at 134 New Street.
When to arrive: Allow approximately 20–30 minutes before any required in-person appearance for parking, security and check-in. This is practical planning advice, not a court-mandated arrival time.
Mailing address: NBMC, P.O. Box 265, New Brunswick, NJ 08903.
Courthouse Map
This map shows the courthouse location. Use the directions link to plan your visit.
Criminal and Traffic Cases Heard in New Brunswick Municipal Court
New Brunswick Municipal Court handles disorderly persons and petty disorderly persons offenses, municipal ordinance violations, motor vehicle matters and DWI-related charges.
Common motor vehicle charges that require a court appearance include:
- Driving While Intoxicated — N.J.S.A. 39:4-50
- Refusal to Submit to Breath Testing — N.J.S.A. 39:4-50.4a
- Reckless Driving — N.J.S.A. 39:4-96
- Careless Driving — N.J.S.A. 39:4-97
- Driving While Suspended — N.J.S.A. 39:3-40
Common criminal charges that require a court appearance include:
- Shoplifting — N.J.S.A. 2C:20-11
- Simple Assault — N.J.S.A. 2C:12-1
- Disorderly Conduct — N.J.S.A. 2C:33-2
- Possession of Controlled Dangerous Substances — N.J.S.A. 2C:35-10
- Possession of Drug Paraphernalia — N.J.S.A. 2C:36-2
The particular charge listed on the complaint or summons determines the applicable statute, possible penalties and court procedure.
More serious indictable charges may begin with an arrest or complaint in New Brunswick but generally proceed through the Middlesex County Superior Court rather than being finally resolved in municipal court.
Understanding a New Brunswick Municipal Court Summons
A summons contains important information about the charge and the court handling the case, including the court identification, complaint or summons number, date of the alleged offense, issuing officer or complainant, and the scheduled appearance information.
Understanding Your New Brunswick Municipal Court Summons
A New Brunswick summons contains important information about the alleged offense including, the statute charged, the person or officer who issued the complaint, the location of court and when you are required to appear. The numbered areas below identify information worth carefully reviewing.
Key Information to Check
Court and Court Code
This identifies the municipality and court associated with the summons. For a case arising in New Brunswick, look carefully at the court information printed on your paperwork.
Summons or Complaint Number
This number identifies the individual summons or complaint. It may be needed when communicating with the municipal court or reviewing court records.
Complainant or Issuing Officer
The summons may identify the police officer or other complainant who issued or signed the charge, along with the involved police agency.
Date, Time and Location
These fields identify when and where the alleged offense occurred. They can also help identify potentially relevant police reports, video or other evidence.
Court Date and Time
Your summons may contain an initial appearance date. A later notice from the court can change that date or the manner in which the appearance will occur.
Where to Appear
Review the court location and appearance instructions carefully. Some proceedings may be conducted in person while others may be scheduled remotely.
Municipality / Court Code:
1214
25 Kirkpatrick Street, New Brunswick, NJ 08901
The summons should be reviewed together with any later notice issued by the court. A subsequent court notice may change the original appearance date, time or whether the proceeding will be conducted in person or virtually.
What Happens After a Criminal Summons Is Issued in New Brunswick?
The procedure depends on the offense charged.
A defendant may first receive a complaint-summons or motor vehicle summons requiring an appearance in New Brunswick Municipal Court. The matter may then proceed through one or more court appearances while the parties exchange and review discovery.
Discovery may include police reports, body-worn camera recordings, patrol-car video, photographs, witness statements, laboratory reports or other materials related to the charge.
Where permitted by law, the defense and municipal prosecutor may discuss whether the case can be resolved without trial. Motions may also be filed when there is a legal issue requiring a ruling by the municipal court judge.
If a case proceeds to trial, the State bears the burden of proving the charged offense beyond a reasonable doubt.
New Brunswick DWI and Traffic Cases
DWI charges under N.J.S.A. 39:4-50 involve issues that are different from most other municipal court matters. A DWI case may involve the legality of the motor vehicle stop, field sobriety testing, Alcotest evidence, refusal allegations, police observations and video evidence.
A refusal charge under N.J.S.A. 39:4-50.4a is a separate offense and can carry consequences independent of the underlying DWI charge.
New Brunswick DWI cases may originate with different law-enforcement agencies depending on the location and circumstances of the stop. The arresting agency can affect where reports, recordings and other discovery are maintained.
For detailed information about DWI cases arising in the city:
Disorderly Persons and Criminal Charges in New Brunswick
New Brunswick Municipal Court also handles many lower-level criminal offenses classified as disorderly persons or petty disorderly persons offenses.
Shoplifting — N.J.S.A. 2C:20-11
Shoplifting allegations may involve concealing merchandise, leaving a store without paying, altering labels or price tags, or under-ringing merchandise. The grading and potential penalties depend in part on the alleged value of the property.
Simple Assault — N.J.S.A. 2C:12-1
Simple assault cases can arise from arguments, fights and other confrontations. The evidence may include witness accounts, photographs, body-camera footage and statements made to police.
Disorderly Conduct — N.J.S.A. 2C:33-2
Disorderly conduct charges may involve allegations of fighting, threatening behavior or creating a public disturbance. The surrounding circumstances and the specific conduct alleged are important in evaluating whether the statutory elements can be proven.
Drug Possession — N.J.S.A. 2C:35-10
Possession charges may arise from pedestrian encounters, vehicle stops, searches or other police investigations. A defense may involve questions about possession, identification of the substance or the legality of the search and seizure.
New Brunswick Police and Other Law-Enforcement Agencies
Many municipal court cases originate with the New Brunswick Police Department, but the city’s location and institutions mean other agencies may also become involved depending on where the incident occurred.
Cases involving Rutgers University property or university-related locations may involve Rutgers University Police, while certain highway or regional matters can involve other law-enforcement agencies.
Identifying the correct agency is important because police reports, body-camera footage and other records must generally be requested from the agency that created or maintains them.
New Brunswick Municipal Court and Middlesex County Superior Court
New Brunswick is home to both the municipal court system and Middlesex County’s Superior Court operations, but they handle different types of cases.
New Brunswick Municipal Court generally handles traffic offenses, DWI cases, disorderly persons offenses and other matters within municipal court jurisdiction. Indictable criminal offenses are generally handled in the Superior Court of New Jersey, Middlesex County after the appropriate charging and review process. A complaint arising in New Brunswick may therefore begin locally but ultimately proceed in a different court depending on the grading and nature of the charge.
Methods of Payment
New Brunswick Municipal Court accepts payment in several ways for eligible matters.
Online Payments
Payments for parking violations, certain traffic matters, traffic time-payment plans and criminal time-payment plans may be made through NJMCdirect:
Not every charge can be paid online. A summons requiring a court appearance, or an offense that is not designated as payable, must be handled through the court process.
Violation Bureau
The New Brunswick Municipal Court Violation Bureau is open for payments from:
8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Before making an in-person payment, confirm the current court-office schedule and any applicable payment requirements.
Payments by Mail
Payments may be mailed to:
New Brunswick Municipal Court
P.O. Box 265
New Brunswick, NJ 08903
Include the appropriate prefix and ticket number or complaint number with the payment so the court can properly credit it to the case.
Payment of a payable summons generally constitutes a guilty plea to the charged offense. Before paying a significant traffic violation, consider the possible motor vehicle points, insurance consequences, surcharges or other penalties associated with the charge.
Filing a Private Citizen Complaint in New Brunswick
A person wishing to file a Private Citizen Complaint may appear at New Brunswick Municipal Court during regular business hours or contact the court to arrange an appointment.
Private citizen complaints may be filed in person between:
8:30 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.
For an appointment or additional information, contact New Brunswick Municipal Court at:
732-745-5089 Extensions:
- Ext. 6204 — Deputy Court Administrator
- Ext. 6206 — Court Administrator
You may also contact the court by email:
A private citizen complaint is different from a summons issued directly by a police officer. The court may require information concerning the alleged incident before accepting or processing the complaint.
Convenient Edison Office for New Brunswick Municipal Court Cases
William Proetta Criminal Law maintains an Edison office at 3840 Park Avenue, Edison, New Jersey 08820, providing a convenient Middlesex County location for clients with matters in New Brunswick Municipal Court.
New Brunswick Municipal Court is located at 25 Kirkpatrick Street in downtown New Brunswick. New Brunswick and Edison are only a few miles apart, and typical driving time between the two cities is about 12 minutes, although actual travel time will vary with traffic. Travelmath
Our Edison office serves as a central location for our Middlesex County criminal-defense practice, including matters arising in New Brunswick, Edison, Piscataway, North Brunswick, Woodbridge, Old Bridge and surrounding municipalities.
Learn more about our Edison criminal defense practice →
New Brunswick Municipal Court Frequently Asked Questions
Where is New Brunswick Municipal Court?
New Brunswick Municipal Court is located at 25 Kirkpatrick Street, New Brunswick, NJ 08903. The court telephone number listed by the New Jersey Judiciary is 732-745-5089.
Who is the New Brunswick Municipal Court judge?
The current statewide municipal court listing identifies James P. Hoebich as judge and Kimberly A. Milligan as court administrator. Court assignments can change, so the current Judiciary listing should be checked when exact personnel information is important.
What types of cases are heard in New Brunswick Municipal Court?
The court handles DWI and traffic offenses, disorderly persons and petty disorderly persons charges, municipal ordinance matters and other cases within municipal court jurisdiction.
Is a DWI handled in New Brunswick Municipal Court?
Generally, yes. A DWI charge under N.J.S.A. 39:4-50 arising within New Brunswick is ordinarily handled in municipal court, subject to the particular facts and jurisdiction of the case.
Are serious criminal charges handled in New Brunswick Municipal Court?
More serious indictable offenses are generally handled through the Superior Court of New Jersey rather than being finally adjudicated in municipal court.
Do I have to appear in person?
The summons or latest court notice controls whether an appearance is in person or virtual. Court procedures can change, so defendants should follow the most recent notice issued by the court.
What should I bring to New Brunswick Municipal Court?
Bring the summons or complaint, any later court notices and identification. If represented by an attorney, follow counsel’s instructions concerning documents and arrival time.