Ocean County Criminal Court handles all criminal cases that are filed in Ocean County. See below for more information about criminal cases in Ocean County.
Burden of Proof Requirement
In a criminal case in the United States, the burden of proof always requires the prosecutor to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the defendant is guilty. This is a high threshold that must be met by the prosecution when presenting evidence in a case. If the prosecution fails in it’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt the judge must find the defendant not guilty. In a jury trial, the judge will inform the jury what this burden is and their obligation to find the defendant not guilty if they feel the prosecution did prove the defendant’s guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
What if I can’t afford an attorney?
The 6th Amendment guarantees you the right to an attorney whether or not you can afford one. If you cannot afford one, a public defender will be appointed by the court to represent you.
Ocean County Criminal Court
Can I appeal a guilty verdict?
If found guilty, a defendant may decide to appeal his case to an appelate court. The appellate court will not retry the case, they will examine the proceedings in the lower court to make sure they were done in a legal manner. The appellate court can either uphold the original conviction, or determine that due to errors made in the original trial, that there must be a retrial, resentencing or a complete dismissal of the charges.
Who is the prosecutor for Ocean County?
Depending upon the case, the prosecutor for Ocean County criminal cases will either be a representative of Ocean 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 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.
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.
Where can I get help for my Ocean County criminal case?
The 6th amendment of the United States Constitution provides a criminal defendant with the right to an attorney. As read in the miranda rights, this means that if a defendant cannot afford to hire a private attorney a legal attorney will be appointed to the defendant to represent him at no cost to the defendant. This is often a public defender. In addition, the court clerk for Ocean County will also be able to provide general information about a specific criminal case. The clerk can only provide information and is not an attorney so they cannot provide legal advice, only a licensed attorney can provide legal advice about what the best options for are for your particular case.
What is Jury Deliberation?
After both the prosecution and defense have presented their cases, the judge in the case will provide instructions to the jury about what they must decide. The jury will be dismissed to the jury room where they will deliberate about the guilt or innocence of the defendant. After reaching a unaminous decision, they return their decision to the court where it is read aloud in the courtroom. If the jury is unable to reach a unaminous decision, the jury is deadlocked, also known as a hung jury, in which a mistrial will be declared.
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.
Ocean County Required Court Appearances
In Ocean 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.
Arraignments in Ocean County
During an arraignment in Ocean County, a defendant appears before the court and the judge reads the charges that have been filed against the accused and also informs the defendant of his/her rights. During the arraignment in Ocean County, the defendant can choose to plead one of the following 1) Guilty 2) Not Guilty or 3) No Contest. If the defendant enters a plea of Not Guilty, a date for trial is set. In the event of a Guilty or No Contest Plea in Ocean County the defendant may be sentenced at that time or the sentencing may take place at a later date.
Ocean County Criminal Court locations
Criminal proceedings take place in the Ocean County Criminal Courts. A list of the criminal courts are located here.
Ocean County Criminal Court Locations
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Ocean County Superior Court
Address: 118 Washington Street, Toms River, NJ 08754
Phone: 732-929-2042 Fax: 732-288-7606 -
Ocean County Superior Court – Civil Division
Address: 206 Courthouse Lane, Toms River, NJ 08753
Phone: 732-929-2042 -
Ocean County Superior Court – Civil Division
Address: 118 Washington Street, Toms River, NJ 08753
Phone: 732-929-2016 -
Ocean County Superior Court – Criminal Division
Address: 120 Hooper Avenue, Toms River, NJ 08753
Phone: 732-929-2042 Fax: 732-288-7606 -
Ocean County Superior Court – Family Division
Address: 120 Hooper Avenue, Toms River, NJ 08753
Phone: 732-929-2042 -
Ocean County Surrogate’s Court
Address: 118 Washington Street, PO Box 2191, Toms River, NJ 08754
Phone: 732-929-2011 Fax: 732-506-5087 -
Ocean County Surrogate’s Court
Address: 179 South Main Street, Manahawkin, NJ 08050
Phone: 732-929-2011 -
Ocean County Surrogate’s Court
Address: 48 Schoolhouse Road, Whiting, NJ 08759
Phone: 732-929-2011 -
Barnegat Light Municipal Court
Address: 10 West 10th Street, Barnegat Light, NJ 08006
Phone: 609-494-7336 Fax: 609-494-7337 -
Barnegat Township Municipal Court
Address: 900 West Bay Avenue, Barnegat, NJ 08005
Phone: 609-698-0080 Ext. 110 Fax: 609-698-8542 -
Bay Head Municipal Court
Address: 81R Bridge Avenue, PO Box 248, Bay Head, NJ 08742
Phone: 732-892-4737 Fax: 732-899-6494 -
Beach Haven Municipal Court
Address: 420 Pelham Avenue, Beach Haven, NJ 08008
Phone: 609-492-0111 Ext. 227 Fax: 609-492-1086 -
Beachwood Municipal Court
Address: 1600 Pinewald Road, Beachwood, NJ 08722
Phone: 732-286-6000 Ext. 120 Fax: 732-244-5355 -
Berkeley Township Municipal Court
Address: 627 Pinewald-Keswick Road, PO Box B, Bayville, NJ 08721
Phone: 732-240-6661 Fax: 732-349-9109 -
Brick Township Municipal Court
Address: 401 Chambersbridge Road, Brick, NJ 08723
Phone: 732-262-1226 Fax: 732-477-5418 -
Eagleswood Township Municipal Court
Address: 665 Radio Road, Little Egg Harbor, NJ 08087
Phone: 609-296-7241 Ext. 301 Fax: 609-294-1068 -
Harvey Cedars Municipal Court
Address: 7606 Long Beach Blvd, Harvey Cedars, NJ 08008
Phone: 609-494-9026 Fax: 609-494-2335 -
Island Heights Municipal Court
Address: 1 East End Avenue, PO Box 757, Island Heights, NJ 08732
Phone: 732-270-6161 -
Jackson Township Municipal Court
Address: 102 Jackson Drive, Jackson, NJ 08527
Phone: 732-928-1205 Fax: 732-928-3276 -
Lacey Township Municipal Court
Address: 818 West Lacey Road, Forked River, NJ 08731
Phone: 609-693-1100 Ext. 2262 Fax: 609-693-6749 -
Lakehurst Municipal Court
Address: 5 Union Avenue, Lakehurst, NJ 08733
Phone: 732-657-4151 -
Lakewood Municipal Court
Address: 231 3rd Street, Lakewood, NJ 08701
Phone: 732-364-2500 Ext. 5988 Fax: 732-364-8921 -
Lavallette Municipal Court
Address: Mailing Address: 1306 Grand Central Avenue, Lavallette, NJ 08735
Phone: 732-830-1911 Fax: 732-830-6344 -
Little Egg Harbor Municipal Court
Address: 665 Radio Road, Little Egg Harbor, NJ 08087
Phone: 609-296-7241 Ext. 301 Fax: 609-294-1068 -
Long Beach Township Municipal Court
Address: 6805 Long Beach Boulevard, Brant Beach, NJ 08008
Phone: 609-361-1000 Ext. 6661 Fax: 609-494-5421 -
Manchester Township Municipal Court
Address: 1 Colonial Drive, Manchester, NJ 08759
Phone: 732-657-8121 Ext. 3400 Fax: 732-657-2440 -
Mantoloking Municipal Court
Address: 340 Drum Point Road, Brick, NJ 08738
Phone: 732-475-7398 Fax: 732-475-7601 -
Ocean Gate Municipal Court
Address: 801 Ocean Gate Avenue, Ocean Gate, NJ 08740
Phone: 732-269-3166 Ext. 22 Fax: 732-269-1561 -
Ocean Township Municipal Court
Address: 50 Railroad Avenue, Waretown, NJ 08758
Phone: 609-693-3332 Fax: 609-971-9551 -
Pine Beach Municipal Court
Address: 599 Pennsylvania Avenue, PO Box 425, Pine Beach, NJ 08741
Phone: 732-349-6453 Fax: 732-240-0533 -
Plumsted Township Municipal Court
Address: 121 Evergreen Road, New Egypt, NJ 08533
Phone: 609-758-2241 Ext. 116 or 117 Fax: 609-758-7703 -
Point Pleasant Beach Municipal Court
Address: 2233 Bridge Avenue, PO Box 25, Point Pleasant, NJ 08742
Phone: 732-899-1636 Fax: 732-295-3521 -
Point Pleasant Municipal Court
Address: 2233 Bridge Avenue, PO Box 25, Point Pleasant, NJ 08742
Phone: 732-899-1636 Fax: 732-295-3521 -
Seaside Heights Municipal Court
Address: 116 Sherman Avenue, Seaside Heights, NJ 08751
Phone: 732-830-2202 Fax: 732-830-6458 -
Seaside Park Municipal Court
Address: 1 Municipal Plaza, 6th & Central Avenue, Seaside Park, NJ 08752
Phone: 732-793-5116 -
Ship Bottom Municipal Court
Address: 1621 Long Beach Boulevard, Ship Bottom, NJ 08008
Phone: 609-494-2171 Ext. 118 Fax: 609-494-7534 -
South Toms River Municipal Court
Address: 144 Mill Street, South Toms River, NJ 08757
Phone: 732-349-1141 Fax: 732-240-3304 -
Stafford Township Municipal Court
Address: 260 East Bay Avenue, Manahawkin, NJ 08050
Phone: 609-597-1000 Fax: 609-597-4911 -
Surf City Municipal Court
Address: 813 Long Beach Boulevard, Surf City, NJ 08008
Phone: 609-494-3984 Fax: 609-494-3812 -
Toms River Municipal Court
Address: 255 Oak Avenue, Toms River, NJ 08753
Phone: 732-797-3914 Fax: 732-341-3074 -
Tuckerton Municipal Court
Address: 420 East Main Street, Tuckerton, NJ 08087
Phone: 609-296-2036 Fax: 609-296-9307