Cumberland County Criminal Court

Cumberland County Criminal Court handles all criminal cases that are filed in Cumberland County. See below for more information about criminal cases in Cumberland County.

Cumberland County Arraignments

An arraignment is a court hearing. In Cumberland County this is the first thing that will happen in a criminal case. The defendant will be brought before a judge in Cumberland County Criminal Court and the judge will read the charges that were filed against the defendant. The judge will also read the rights the defendant has and ask the defendant if they understand both the charges filed against them and their rights as a defendant in the case. In Cumberland County a plea of Guilty, Not Guilty or No Contest may be entered. In a guilty or no contest plea the sentencing of the defendant may take place at the same arraignment hearing or a later date may be scheduled for sentencing. For a not guilty plea, a date will be set for a trial.

Who is the prosecutor for Cumberland County?

Depending upon the case, the prosecutor for Cumberland County criminal cases will either be a representative of Cumberland County or a representative from New Jersey. After reviewing evidence it is the prosecutor’s decision whether to file charges or drop a case. Most prosecutors have the ability to negotiate plea bargains, and determine how the case will be prosecuted.

Cumberland County Criminal Court

Cumberland County Criminal Court

Cumberland County Required Court Appearances

In Cumberland County, there are both required and non-required court appearances for the defendant. At a required or mandatory appearance hearing, the defendant is required to appear in person before the court. Failing to appear at your required hearing may result in a bench warrant being issued for your arrest by the judge.

Right to an attorney

The US Constitution’s Sixth Amendment ensures the right to an attorney regardless of whether or not you can afford one. In Cumberland County a public defender will be appointed by the judge if you cannot afford private representation.

Defendant Sentencing

At a sentence hearing the judge will inform the defendant of the sentence that will be imposed. This sometimes occurs at the same hearing in which the defendant is found guilty (either by trial or plea agreement). In can also occur at a later date, most often this is due to the complexity of the case where more time is needed to determine the appropriate sentence.

What is the Burden of Proof?

The term “Burden of Proof” means that the prosecutor is required to prove the guilt of the defendant beyond a reasonable doubt. If the prosecutor cannot provide proof of the defendants guilt, then the judge or jury in a trial must find the defendant not guilty. In the United States the principle innocent until proven guilty derives from this that the defendant is assumed innocent and the prosecution has the burden of proving beyond a reasonable doubt that the defendant is guilty.

Jury Deliberation

In a jury trial in Cumberland County, after both the prosecution and defense have rested, the judge will give instructions to the jury and jury deliberations will begin. The jury will convence in a private room to discuss and deliberate the innocence or guilt of the defendant. Once the jury arrives at a unimanous decision, they will inform the judge that they have reached a decision. They will return to the court and the verdict will be read aloud. If the jury cannot reach a unaminous decision, the jury is said to be deadlocked and a mistrial will be declared in the case.

Appealing a guilty verdict

A defendant may appeal a guilty verdict to an appellate court. This is not a request to have another trial, but a request for an appellate court to review the case and determine that it was handled in a correct legal manner. There are a number of outcomes in an appeal including an upholding of the conviction, a finding that errors were made resulting in a retrial or resentencing or possibly a complete disimissal of all charges.

What is a Plea Agreement?

A plea agreement is a deal made between the prosecution and the defendant in a case, where the defendant agrees to plea guilty to a particular charge in exchange for some concession from the prosecutor. In practice, more than 90% of criminal cases end with a plea agreement.

Who can help me in Cumberland County?

For general information about your case the Cumberland County court clerk will be able to provide legal information about your specific criminal case. Legal information is not legal advice though, the court clerk will only be able to provide information about your case, like date/time of hearings what will occur at the hearing and what you may be required to do in the hearing. They cannot provide advice about what you should do or what the best legal options may be for your particular case. Only an attorney can provide legal advice and this is your best place for information about your specific criminal proceeding. If you cannot afford to hire a private attorney to represent you, a judge will appoint an attorney to represent you, this is most often a public defender.

Cumberland County Criminal Court hearings

Criminal hearings in Cumberland County will take place at the Cumberland County Criminal Courts. Please see here for a list of the Cumberland County Criminal Court Locations.

Right to Jury Trial

For “Serious Crimes”, those that can have a potential penalty of 6 months in jail OR a minimum $500 penalty, the US Constitution guarantees a right to trial by jury. This is guaranteed by Article III of the Constitution and the 6th Amendment. The accused has the ability to waive their right to trial by jury.

Cumberland County Criminal Court Locations

  • Cumberland County Superior Court

    Address: 60 West Broad Street, Bridgeton, NJ 08302
    Phone: 856-451-8000

  • Cumberland County Superior Court – Civil Division

    Address: 60 West Broad Street, Bridgeton, NJ 08302
    Phone: 856-453-4330 Fax: 856-453-4349

  • Cumberland County Superior Court – Criminal Division

    Address: 60 West Broad Street, Bridgeton, NJ 08302
    Phone: 856-453-4300 Fax: 856-451-7152

  • Cumberland County Superior Court – Family Division

    Address: 60 West Broad Street, Bridgeton, NJ 08302
    Phone: 856-453-4534

  • Cumberland County Surrogate’s Office

    Address: 60 West Broad Street, Suite A111, Bridgeton, NJ 08302
    Phone: 856-453-4800 Fax: 856-451-7356

  • Bridgeton Municipal Court

    Address: 330 Fayette Street, Bridgeton, NJ 08302
    Phone: 856-451-7565 Fax: 856-451-7638

  • Commercial Township Municipal Court

    Address: 1768 Main Street, Port Norris, NJ 08349
    Phone: 856-785-3100 Ext. 316

  • Cumberland Salem Regional Municipal Court

    Address: 1325 Highway 77, PO Box 5098, Seabrook, NJ 08302
    Phone: 856-455-8722 Fax: 856-451-6489

  • Fairfield/Downe Joint Municipal Court

    Address: 70 Fairton Gouldtown Road, PO Box 240, Fairton, NJ 08320
    Phone: 856-453-3157 Fax: 856-451-8185

  • Maurice River Township Municipal Court

    Address: 590 Main Street, PO Box 218, Leesburg, NJ 08327
    Phone: 856-785-1120 Ext. 115 Fax: 856-785-1974

  • Millville Municipal Court

    Address: 18 South High Street, Millville, NJ 08332
    Phone: 856-825-7000 Ext. 7619 Fax: 856-327-1746

  • Vineland Municipal Court

    Address: 736 Landis Avenue, Vineland, NJ 08362
    Phone: 856-794-4214 Fax: 856-405-4619

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