MUNICIPAL COURT

Municipal courts hear cases involving motor vehicles offenses, such as illegal parking, speeding and driving while intoxicated. They also hear cases involving minor criminal offenses such as simple assault, trespassing and shoplifting; known as disorderly persons offenses. Cases involving hunting, fishing and boating laws and even minor disputes between neighbors are also heard in municipal courts.

More serious cases, such as robbery (taking something by using force), auto theft and assault will be transferred to the Hudson County Superior Court.


Judge Ramy Eid headshot
Ramy A. Eid
Chief Judge
Court sessions are held both in-person and virtual.

If you have received a court notice for a virtual hearing, please review the Courtroom Zoom Directory.  To find your Zoom session, check the Municipal Court Case Search. See instructions to join Zoom.

Prior to the court date, please watch the New Jersey Municipal Court Opening Statement video.

To find more information about Municipal Courts in New Jersey, please see NJ Courts.



 

ONLINE CASE REVIEW & RESOLUTION

No court appearance is required
Visit njmcdirect.com and enter your ticket information to see if your offense is eligible, and select the option for Case Dispute.  All communication will be sent via email.

PLEA BY MAIL

Plead not guilty or guilty in certain traffic or parking cases, or guilty in certain non-traffic cases. 

Complete the Plea by Mail form.  Email supporting documents  to [email protected] or mail to Lewis S. McRae Justice Complex, 365 Summit Avenue, Jersey City, NJ 07306  

REQUEST A HEARING

 If you aren't eligible for online ticket review, you may request to have certain tickets heard in virtually. To plead not guilty and request a virtual court hearing, please complete the Plea of Not Guilty form. 

PAYMENTS
Defendants may make payments for Municipal Complaint Time Payment Orders, in addition to parking and traffic matters, through the municipal court’s online payment website at njmcdirect.com.  The Court ID for Jersey City Municipal Court is 0906.

Payments will also continue to be accepted at the court payment window or by mail. The court payment window is open Monday-Friday,  8:30am-3pm, and Tuesdays until 5pm. 
REQUEST AN INTERPRETER
For first time court appearances, complete this form.
ATTORNEY INFORMATION
Send letters of representation to the court via email at [email protected].  The subject line should include the client's name and summons/ticket number.


BAIL INFORMATION

Post bail or receive a bail refund at the court's payment windows on the first floor of the Municipal Court, Lewis S. McRae Justice Complex, 365 Summit Avenue, Jersey City, NJ 07306. Open Monday - Friday 8AM - 3PM.

On weekends, holidays, or any other hours, CASH BAIL ONLY may be posted at the Hudson County Jail, which is located at 35 Hackensack Street in Kearny, New Jersey.

Bail will be refunded if:

  • The bail has not been previously forfeited by the Court
  •  Court matter has been concluded (dismissed)
  • Offender was acquitted or was found/pled guilty AND sentenced
  • Person (surety) who posted the bail personally appears and presents the bail receipt and two (2) forms of identification
REQUEST ADJOURNMENT FOR TRAFFIC MATTERS

If you have an existing court date and want to request an adjournment,  email the the following to  [email protected]

  • Your name
  • Phone number
  • Prefix and ticket number
  • Mailing address
  • Reason for adjournment

Your request will be answered as soon as possible.

Requests for adjournments are not automatically granted. They will be reviewed by the Court Clerk and the Judge of your assigned courtroom.

Your original court date has not been changed until you receive a confirming email that your request to adjourn has been granted.

To contact the court: 201-209-6700
Call Centers Hours:
Monday - Friday 9AM - 4PM

In person
Information window at the Jersey City Municipal Court, 365 Summit Ave Jersey City, NJ 07306.
Hours:
Monday, Wednesday - Friday 8:30AM - 3:30PM
Tuesday 8:30AM - 7:30PM

REQUEST ADJOURNMENT FOR NON-TRAFFIC MATTERS

For

  • Minor criminal charges
  • Municipal ordinance violations
  • Housing and zoning code violations
  • Health code violations

Adjournment requests must be made in-person, or received in writing, at least THREE
(3) WORKING DAYS before your scheduled court date. Requests by fax are
accepted and should be sent to 201-459-0951 or 201-459-1338. Requests for
Adjournment should be sent to [email protected].

All correspondence with the court must include:

  • Offender’s name
  • Address
  • Ticket/complaint number
  • Court date.

Neither court personnel nor attorneys may consent to any adjournments without the
written approval of a judge.

MISSED COURT OR PAYMENT DATES - PARKING TICKETS
When a court date or payment date is missed, a notice will be mailed to you at the address on file with the division of motor vehicles in the state where the vehicle is registered.

Each new notice will advise you of the new payment date and will increase the original fine by not less than $10.00. The notices will continue until the fine is paid or your license is suspended.

PLEA OF NOT GUILTY - TRAFFIC, PARKING, & ORDINANCE TICKETS
If you wish to plead Not Guilty on your tickets and request a court date, choose from the following options below:

Please click the link below to fill out the Plea of Not guilty form:
PLEA OF NOT GUILTY FORM

Visit the Court Information Window at the Jersey City Municipal Court located at 365 Summit Avenue, Jersey City, NJ 07306
Our Information Window hours are:
Monday, Wednesday through Friday 8:30 AM to 3:30 PM
Tuesday 8:30 AM to 7:30 PM

Call the court Call Center at 201-209-6700
Our Call Center Hours are: Monday through Friday 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM
DEFECTIVE PARKING METERS
If you wish to contest a parking ticket issued to you and your defense to the ticket is that the parking meter was “defective”, please follow the instructions below:
Retain the ticket you received and await further instructions from the court.

Completely fill out the Request for Inspection of Parking Meter by Parking Authority form. Click here for form.

Return the completed form to the Jersey City Municipal Court at 365 Summit Avenue, Jersey City, NJ 07306.

The court will request that the Parking Authority check the meter in question and furnish the court with a written inspection report.

Upon receipt of the report from the Parking Authority, you will be notified of the report. If the report indicates the meter was not defective, you could plead guilty and pay the fine. However, should you still wish to contest the issuance of the ticket (plead NOT GUILTY), then the matter will be listed for trial and you will be notified of the trial date. Click here for Plea of Not Guilty form. 

If the report from the Parking Authority confirms your contention that the parking meter was defective, then the ticket will be forwarded to the Chief Judge of the court and the ticket will be dismissed.
DRIVER LICENSE RESTORATION
To restore a New Jersey driver’s license:

You must first pay, at the Violations Bureau, the unpaid fines and costs, which were the reason for your suspension.

Then you must go to the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission (NJMVC) with the receipt from the Violations Bureau to have your license restored. A license restoration fee will be charged by the NJMVC.

PLEASE NOTE: Once your license is suspended, you must personally appear at the Violations Bureau to pay your outstanding fine. It cannot be paid by mail.
PARKING TICKETS & MOVING VIOLATIONS
Parking Tickets-Missed Court Dates or Payment Dates

When a court date or payment date is missed, a notice will be mailed to you at the address on file with the division of motor vehicles in the state where the vehicle is registered.

Each new notice will advise you of the new payment date and will increase the original fine by not less than $10.00. The notices will continue until the fine is paid or your license is suspended.
The Violations Bureau handles all information relating to parking tickets and moving violations.

The Violations Bureau is located at:
Lewis S. McRae Justice Complex
365 Summit Avenue
Jersey City, NJ 07306
Telephone #: 201-209-6700

Paying Parking Tickets and Moving Violations
All parking tickets and moving violations may be paid in-person, by mail, or online as long as the ticket has not been marked “Court Appearance Required”.

Tickets may be paid in-person at the Violations Bureau or by mailing a check or money order to the Violations Bureau.

The amount due is noted on the front or back of the ticket or court notice.

Write the ticket number on your check or money order and keep your cancelled check or carbon copy of the money order when paying by mail, since this will be your proof of payment.

A receipt will NOT be mailed to you.

Tickets may also be paid online at NJMCdirect.com

EMAIL US 

ADA wheelchair icon  ADA inquiries: [email protected]

 

Contact Info

  • phone(201) 209-6700
  • Lewis S. McRae Justice Complex
    365 Summit Avenue
    Jersey City, NJ 07306

    Ramy A. Eid, Chief Judge

    Court Hours
    Monday – Thursday 8:30AM - 7:30PM
    Friday 8:30AM - 4:30PM

    Court Payment Hours
    Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday 8:30AM - 3PM Tuesday 8:30AM - 7PM

    Call Center Hours
    Monday - Friday 9AM - 4PM

    Bail Posting & Information
    Monday - Friday 8:30AM - 3PM

    Bail Returns
    Monday – Friday 8:30AM - 3PM

  • Directions