Disorderly persons offenses are essentially criminal offenses heard in the municipal court in the municipality where the offense occurred. There is no right to grand jury or jury trial for these offenses. The burden of proof at trial is proof beyond a reasonable doubt, the same as crimes heard in the Superior Court. The summons must be filed within one year of the date of the offenses. These offenses carry the possibility of jail of up to six months. However there is a presumption of non-incarceration for these offenses. The court may also impose fines, costs, probation, community service, restitution, and jail and suspended jail sentences.
Please review the sub-areas of criminal offenses in municipal courts described on this website to obtain more information on specific disorderly persons offenses.
Steven D. Rothblatt has over 34 years' experience in handling criminal offenses in municipal court. He worked as a Deputy Attorney General with the Division of Criminal Justice in the New Jersey Attorney General's Office. Mr. Rothblatt was appointed as the chief municipal prosecutor in three towns for a total of 23 years, namely Franklin Township for twelve years, Warren Township for six years and Raritan Borough for five years. Mr. Rothblatt was a member of the initial group of lawyers that were certified by the Supreme Court of New Jersey as a Municipal Court Trial Attorney in 2014 and presently there are only 27 lawyers in NJ that have achieved this lofty status.
