Hunterdon County Criminal Court hears all criminal cases in Hunterdon County. Below you will find specific information about criminal cases and how they are handled in Hunterdon County.
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.
Hunterdon County Criminal Court hearings
Criminal hearings in Hunterdon County will take place at the Hunterdon County Criminal Courts. Please see here for a list of the Hunterdon County Criminal Court Locations.
Hunterdon County Criminal Court
If guilty, who sentences the defendant?
If the defendant is found guilty after the trial, the defendent will be sentenced. In some cases, this can occur at the same hearing the defendant is found guilty in court, in other cases a separate hearing will be required. Often the prosecution will request a particular sentence for the defendant and the judge will determine whether to enforce this sentence or impose a different sentence for the defendant.
Who can help me in Hunterdon County?
For general information about your case the Hunterdon 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.
The Right to Counsel
The Fifth and Sixth Amendments to the U.s. Constitution give defendants in criminal cases the right to counsel/attorney. If you cannot afford an attorney one will be appointed to represent you. Like other rights a defendant has, this one can be waived as well and alternatively you can choose to represent yourself.
Who is the prosecutor for Hunterdon County?
Depending upon the case, the prosecutor for Hunterdon County criminal cases will either be a representative of Hunterdon 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.
What happens in Hunterdon County at an arraignment?
In Hunterdon County the defendant is brought into court and informed by the judge of the charges that have been filed against them along with informing them of their rights. At this time, the defendant can plead guilty, not guilty or no contest. If the defendant pleads guilty or no contest, there will be no trial and the defendant may be sentenced immediately or at a later date. If the defendant pleads not guilty a trial date is set.
Jury Deliberation
In a jury trial in Hunterdon 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.
Required Court Appearances in Hunterdon County
Any required court appearances in Hunterdon County Criminal Court must be attended by the defendant. Failure to appear in court at your required date and time may result in the judge issuing an arrest warrant.
The Right to Trial by Jury
The Sixth Amendment of the United States Constitution guarantees the right to a trial by a jury. This is applicable for when the crime can carry a sentence of 6 months in jail OR a $500 fine, these are known as “Serious Crimes”. The defendant can also waive their right to a speedy and public trial.
Can I request a Plea Agreement?
In Hunterdon County you may be able to enter into a plea agreement depending upon the severity of the charges. It is also dependant upon the prosecution willing to accept a plea agreement. You can ask your attorney to attempt to negotiate a plea agreement with the prosecution to avoid having a jury trial along with the potential for a more serious sentence. Approximately 9 out of 10 criminal cases usually end in a plea agreement.
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.
Hunterdon County Criminal Court Locations
-
Hunterdon County Superior Court
Address: 65 Park Avenue, Flemington, NJ 08822
Phone: 908-237-5800 -
Hunterdon County Superior Court – Civil Division
Address: 65 Park Avenue, Flemington, NJ 08822
Phone: 908-237-5820 Fax: 908-237-5821 -
Hunterdon County Superior Court – Criminal Division
Address: 65 Park Avenue, Flemington, NJ 08822
Phone: 908-237-5840 Fax: 908-237-5841 -
Hunterdon County Superior Court – Family Division
Address: 65 Park Avenue, Flemington, NJ 08822
Phone: 908-237-5920 Fax: 908-237-5918 -
Hunterdon County Surrogate’s Court
Address: 65 Park Avenue, PO Box 2900, Flemington, NJ 08822
Phone: 908-788-1156 Fax: 908-788-1586 -
Bethlehem/Bloomsbury Joint Municipal Court
Address: 405 Mine Road, Asbury, NJ 08802
Phone: 908-735-4559 Fax: 908-735-9406 -
Califon Municipal Court
Address: 43 Schooley’s Mountain Road, Long Valley, NJ 07853
Phone: 908-876-3852 Fax: 908-876-0058 -
Lambertville Municipal Court
Address: 25 South Union Street, Lambertville, NJ 08530
Phone: 609-397-1335 Fax: 609-397-3652 -
Town of Clinton Municipal Court
Address: 1370 Route 31 North, Annandale, NJ 08801
Phone: 908-735-3730 Fax: 908-735-3731 -
Clinton Township Municipal Court
Address: 1370 Route 31 North, Annandale, NJ 08801
Phone: 908-735-3730 Fax: 908-735-3731 -
Delaware Township Municipal Court
Address: 1070 Route 202, Ringoes, NJ 08551
Phone: 908-782-6855 Fax: 908-782-9887 -
East Amwell Joint Municipal Court
Address: 1070 Route 202, Ringoes, NJ 08551
Phone: 908-782-6855 Fax: 908-782-9887 -
Flemington Municipal Court
Address: 1 Municipal Drive, Flemington, NJ 08822
Phone: 908-782-5770 Fax: 908-782-2823 -
Franklin Township Municipal Court
Address: 1070 Route 202, Ringoes, NJ 08551
-
Glen Gardner Municipal Court
Address: 405 Mine Road, Asbury, NJ 08802
Phone: 908-735-4559 Fax: 908-735-9406 -
Hampton Municipal Court
Address: 1 Municipal Drive, Flemington, NJ 08822
Phone: 908-782-8818 Fax: 908-806-6478 -
High Bridge Municipal Court
Address: 1370 Route 31 North, Annandale, NJ 08801
Phone: 908-735-3730 Fax: 908-735-373i -
Kingwood Township Municipal Court
Address: 599 Oak Grove Road, Frenchtown, NJ 08825
Phone: 908-996-0799 Fax: 908-996-7753 -
Lebanon Borough Municipal Court
Address: 405 Mine Road, Asbury, NJ 08802
Phone: 908-735-4559 Fax: 908-735-9406 -
Lebanon Township Municipal Court
Address: 60 Water Street, Lebanon, NJ 08833
Phone: 908-832-7684 -
Milford Municipal Court
Address: 599 Oak Grove Road, Frenchtown, NJ 08825
Phone: 908-996-0799 -
Delaware Valley Joint Municipal Court
Address: 61 Church Road, PO Box 496, Milford, NJ 08848
Phone: 908-995-9100 -
Raritan Township/Hampton Borough Joint Municipal Court
Address: 1 Municipal Drive, Flemington, NJ 08822
Phone: 908-782-8818 Fax: 908-806-6478 -
Readington Township Municipal Court
Address: 509 Route 523, Whitehouse Station, NJ 08889
Phone: 908-534-2414 Fax: 908-534-8055 -
Stockton Municipal Court
Address: 1070 Route 202, Ringoes, NJ 08551
Phone: 908-782-6855 Fax: 908-782-9887 -
Tewksbury Township Municipal Court
Address: 60 Water Street, Lebanon, NJ 08833
Phone: 908-832-7684 -
Union Township Municipal Court
Address: 1370 Route 31 North, Annandale, NJ 08801
Phone: 908-735-3730 Fax: 908-735-3731 -
West Amwell Township Municipal Court
Address: 150 Rocktown Lambertville Road, Lambertville, NJ 08530
Phone: 609-397-2027