Warren County Criminal Court handles all criminal cases that are filed in Warren County. See below for more information about criminal cases in Warren County.
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.
Jury Deliberations in Warren County
In Warren County, jury deliberations will take place in a jury trial after the prosecution and defense have presented their cases and rested. At this point, the judge will provide a list of instructions to the jury about what they are allowed and not allowed to do and what verdict options are available for them to decide. The jury will be sent to a private room to discuss the evidence presented in the case and attempt to reach a unaminous decision. When a unaminous decision is reached, the jury will inform the judge that they have reached a verdict and will return to the courtroom for the verdict to be read allowed. In the event that the jury cannot reach a unanimous verdict, the jury results in a deadlock and a mistrial is declared.
Warren County Criminal Court
What happens in Warren County at an arraignment?
In Warren 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 by Trial Right
The US Constitution (Article 3 along with the 6th Amendment) ensures an accused defendant the right to a jury trial. This applies to crimes that have a $500 fine or a potential sentence of six months in jail (aka Serious Crimes). This right to trial by jury can also be waived by a defendant.
Warren County Criminal Court hearings
Criminal hearings in Warren County will take place at the Warren County Criminal Courts. Please see here for a list of the Warren County Criminal Court Locations.
Can I request a Plea Agreement?
In Warren 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.
Who can help me in Warren County?
For general information about your case the Warren 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.
Sentencing in Warren County
In Warren County if the defendant is found guilty (by trial or plea), the defendant will be sentenced. This sometimes occurrs immediately after being found guilty, but can also take place at a later date. In most instances, a judge will impose the sentence that is requested by the prosecution, but they also have the descretion to impose a different sentence.
Warren County Required Court Appearances
In Warren 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.
Who is the prosecutor for Warren County?
Depending upon the case, the prosecutor for Warren County criminal cases will either be a representative of Warren 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.
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.
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.
Warren County Criminal Court Locations
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Warren County Superior Court
Address: 413 2nd Street, PO Box 900, Belvidere, NJ 07823
Phone: 908-475-6161 -
Warren County Superior Court – Civil Division
Address: 413 2nd Street, PO Box 900, Belvidere, NJ 07823
Phone: 908-475-6143 Fax: 908-475-6142 -
Warren County Superior Court – Criminal Division
Address: 413 2nd Street, PO Box 900, Belvidere, NJ 07823
Phone: 908-475-6970 Fax: 908-475-6982 -
Warren County Superior Court – Family Division
Address: 413 2nd Street, PO Box 900, Belvidere, NJ 07823
Phone: 908-475-6150 Fax: 908-475-6155 -
Warren County Surrogate’s Office
Address: 413 2nd Street, Belvidere, NJ 07823
Phone: 908-475-6223 Fax: 908-475-6319 -
Allamuchy Township Municipal Court
Address: 292 Alphano Road, PO Box A, Allamuchy, NJ 07820
Phone: 908-852-6667 Fax: 908-852-0129 -
Alpha Municipal Court
Address: 1001 East Blvd, Alpha, NJ 08865
Phone: 908-454-0088 Ext. 111 Fax: 908-213-8667 -
Belvidere Municipal Court
Address: 691 Water Street, Belvidere, NJ 07823
Phone: 908-475-5331 Ext. 108 -
Franklin Township Municipal Court
Address: 628 Route 94, Columbia, NJ 07832
Phone: 908-496-4131 Fax: 908-496-8997 -
Frelinghuysen Township Municipal Court
Address: 628 Route 94, Columbia, NJ 07832
Phone: 908-496-4131 Fax: 908-496-8997 -
Greenwich Township Municipal Court
Address: 321 Greenwich Street, Stewartsville, NJ 08886
Phone: 908-859-0909 Ext. 20 Fax: 908-454-6158 -
Hackettstown Municipal Court
Address: 215 Stiger Street, Hackettstown, NJ 07840
Phone: 908-852-0688 Fax: 908-852-1786 -
Hardwick Township Municipal Court
Address: 407 Great Meadows Road, PO Box 284, Hope, NJ 07844
Phone Number: 908-459-5800 -
Harmony Township Municipal Court
Address: 232 South 3rd Street, Phillipsburg, NJ 08865
Phone: 908-859-3355 Ext. 235 Fax: 908-859-5291 -
Independence Township Municipal Court
Address: 292 Alphano Road, Allamuchy, NJ 07820
Phone: 908-850-8810 Fax: 908-852-0129 -
Knowlton Township Municipal Court
Address: 628 Route 94, Columbia, NJ 07832
Phone: 908-496-4131 Fax: 908-496-8997 -
Lopatcong Township Municipal Court
Address: 232 South 3rd Street, Phillipsburg, NJ 08865
Phone: 908-859-3355 Ext. 235 Fax: 908-859-5291 -
Mansfield Township Municipal Court
Address: 100 Port Murray Road, Port Murray, NJ 07865
Phone: 908-689-7066 Fax: 908-689-9004 -
Municipal Court of North Warren at Hope
Address: 407 Hope/Great Meadows Road, PO Box 134, Hope, NJ 07844
Phone: 908-459-5800 Fax: 908-459-9062 -
Oxford Township Municipal Court
Address: 100 Port Murray Road, Port Murray, NJ 07865
Phone: 908-689-7066 Fax: 908-689-9004 -
Phillipsburg Municipal Court
Address: 675 Corliss Avenue, Phillipsburg, NJ 08865
Phone: 908-454-3211 Fax: 908-454-8241 -
Pohatcong Township Municipal Court
Address: 50 Municipal Drive, Phillipsburg, NJ 08865
Phone: 908-454-6121 Ext. 325 Fax: 908-454-5911 -
Washington Borough Municipal Court
Address: 100 Port Murray Road, Port Murray, NJ 07865
Phone: 908-689-7066 Fax: 908-689-9004 -
Washington Township Municipal Court
Address: 100 Port Murray Road, Port Murray, NJ 07865
Phone: 908-689-7066 Fax: 908-689-9004 -
White Township Municipal Court
Address: 555 Country Road 519, Belvidere, NJ 07823
Phone: 908-475-4827