BELVIDERE MUNICIPAL COURT BELVIDERE, HARMONY, LIBERTY, FRANKLIN & FRELINGHUYSEN

The Townships of Liberty, Harmony, Franklin and Frelinghuysen have entered into a shared agreement with the Town of Belvidere for the provision of Municipal Court services.

The Municipal Court hears all viloations of the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Code, disorderly and disorderly persons offenses, quasi criminal matters and violations of Town Code Ordinances.  The court offers a Community Dispute Resolution Program (CDRP) to aid in resolving minor disputes. Complaints of a more serious nature, i.e., indictable charges are initially filed with the municipal court and are then forwarded to the Office of the County Prosecutor. There it is determined whether the case will be disposed of at the county level, or it will be downgraded and returned to the municipal court for disposition.

The judicial staff of the Municipal Court are employees of the Town of Belvidere through a shared services agreement but they are governed by the rules of the Court as determined by the State of New Jersey Supreme Court.

The court accepts cash, checks, money orders, Visa, Mastercard and Discover. Payments are accepted in person at the court office or by mail. Many traffic and parking tickets are also payable on line: www.njmcdirect.com ( you will need to have the court I.D., ticket number and the vehicle's tags).

OFFICE HOURS: Mon.-Fri. 9am to 4pm  PHONE: 908-475-5331, ext. 1  FAX: 908-475-2738 

EMAIL: tara.caffarelli1@njcourts.gov  MAILING ADDRESS: 691 Water St., Belvidere NJ 07823

COURT SESSION DATES: First, second and fourth Thursdays from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM.

COURT PERSONNEL:        Nicole N. Lenar, Municipal Court Judge

                                              John J. Caleca III, Municipal Prosecutor

                                               Scott M. Wilhelm, Public Defender

                                               Tara Caffarelli, Court Administrator

                                             

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

WHEN IS MY PAYMENT DUE?

Payment is due by the court date listed at the bottom of the ticket.

WHO DO I WRITE MY CHECK TO?

If you received a Belvidere ticket, make your check payable to Belvidere Municipal Court. If you received a Liberty Township ticket, make your check payable to Liberty Township Municipal Court. If you received a Harmony Township ticket, make your check payable to Harmony Township Municipal Court. If you received a Franklin Township ticket, make your check payable to Franklin Township Municipal Court. If you received a Frelinghuysen Township ticket, make your check payable to Frelinghuysen Township Municipal Court.

HOW MUCH IS THIS TICKET?

The Statewide Violations Schedule lists all payable violations. You can access this list at www.njmcdirect.com, or by calling the court office.

CAN I PAY BY PHONE?

NO

CAN I PAY IN INSTALLMENTS?

In order to receive a partial payment agreement, you must apprear in court before the judge.

WHAT HAPPENS IF I DON'T HAVE THE FULL PAYMENT OR MY PAYMENT IS LATE?

Delinquent  notices are generated each week. Failure to maintain a partial payment agreement will result in suspension of your driving privileges and/or a warrant for your arrest. Additional costs may be incurred.

HOW MANY POINTS IS THIS TICKET?

Municipal Court employees are prohibited from giving you this information. However, of you access www.njmcdirect.com there is a listing of points assessed for specific violations by the N.J. Motor Vehicle Commission.

WILL THIS BE REPORTED TO MY INSURANCE COMPANY?

A record of all moving violations is reported weekly to the N.J. Motor Vehicle Commission. You may wish to contact your insurance carrier as to how point information is relayed to them from the MVC.

I AM NOT WORKING RIGHT NOW; CAN I GET A PUBLIC DEFENDER?

When you make your first court appearance, request a 5A form, FInancial Disclosure Form, from the Court Administrator. Complete it immediately so it can be presented to the judge for a determination of your eligibility. Only the judge can determine if you are eligible.

CAN I SPEAK TO THE JUDGE AND/OR PROSECUTOR?

You may speak with the Prosecutor on your court date. The Judge is prohibited from speaking to either party prior to the disposition of the case.

HOW DO I FILE A COMPLAINT?

A complaint is filed with the Court Administrator. Call the violations office for an appointment. You must understand the Municipal Court must remain a neutral party and are prohibited from helping you in the preparation of your complaint. They can only advise you how to complete the form, not what to put on the form.

WHAT IS THE COMMUNITY DISPUTE RESOLUTION PROGRAM?

It is mediation; a forum with the participation of local citizens to resolve minor disputes between parties which would otherwise have to be referred to the Municipal Court.

WHAT HAPPENS IF AN AGREEMENT IS REACHED?

The Judge will dismiss the summons.

WHAT HAPPENS IF AN AGREEMENT IS NOT REACHED?

The matter will be scheduled for a court appearance before the Judge.

DEFENDANT RESPONSIBILITIES

1.  You must personally appear at all scheduled hearings.

2.  You must immediately advise the Court Administrator of any change in your mailing address.

3.  If you hire an attorney, you must have your attorney send a letter of representation to the Court Administrator.

4.  If you plan to call witnesses, you must provide the Court Administrator with the name(s) and address(s) at least seven (7) days prior to your hearing date.