Phone: (609) 561-6696
Fax: (609) 561-3031

Judge Michele Verno

Prosecutor Richard DeMichele, Esq.

Court Administrator, Eunice Aguina
(609) 561-6696 ext. 113
eaguina@mullicatownship.org

Deputy Court Administrator, Mildred Collazo
(609) 561-6696 ext. 112
mcollazo@mullicatownship.org

COURT NOTICE:

Due to the COVID-19 Pandemic as of May 11, 2020, the Mullica Township Municipal Court has implemented new procedures with regard to various court matters.  You are hereby ordered to contact the court by the date listed on your summons with a valid phone number or email address.  You may be able to resolve your matter without the necessity of appearing in court by a Plea by Mail or a Virtual Appearance.  Failure to do so may result in additional penalties, including a possible suspension of your driving privileges.

Mullica Township Municipal Court
Post Office Box 317, Elwood, NJ 08217
Phone No. 609-561-6696 ext. 113
Email:  eaguina@mullicatownship.org  Website: www.mullicatownship.org

 

For Court Days view the on-line calendar.  However, dates are subject to change.  Call to confirm your court appearance.  Court begins promptly at 9:00 a.m.

 

IF YOU WERE SCHEDULED TO APPEAR IN COURT YOU WILL RECEIVE A NOTICE ADVISING YOU OF YOUR DATE.  THE COURT IS OPEN TO ACCEPT PAYMENTS AND HANDLE OTHER MATTERS.  YOU CAN ALSO PAY YOUR TICKET ON-LINE:

Pay A Traffic Ticket Online

Information About Traffic Violations

Once a traffic summons is issued, and if you plan to plead not guilty and have a trial, you must notify the Court Administrator of your intention at least seven (7) days prior to your scheduled court date.  If you fail to notify the Court Administrator it may be necessary for you to make 2 court appearances.

Only summonses with a checked court appearance date will be listed on the court agenda.  A defendant who has a summons that does not require a court appearance, but would like to appear, must follow the above procedure.

If payment is made by mail, do not send cash, but send a check or money order payable to:

 Mullica Township Municipal Court

 PO Box 318

 Elwood, NJ 08217

Payment is due on or before the date listed on the bottom of the summons.  If payment is received after that date, you may be assessed a late fee.

A receipt will be sent only if a payment is accompanied by a stamped, self-addressed envelope.

If you fail to appear in response to a summons or to pay the prescribed penalty, additional penalties may result.  A warrant may be issued for your arrest and your driving privileges in New Jersey may be revoked.

If you have been charged with a parking offense, your failure to appear or pay the prescribed penalty shall be considered an admission of liability and a default judgment may be entered against the owner of the vehicle.

Your Rights in Municipal Court
Pay A Traffic Ticket on Line (link to NJ Municipal Courts Direct: www.judiciary.state.nj.us/njmcdirect.com

Your Rights In Municipal Court

 

  1. You have the RIGHT TO BE INFORMED OF THE CHARGES against you.
  2. You have the RIGHT TO REMAIN SILENT concerning the charges against you and anything you say may be held against you.
  3. You may plead Guilty or Not Guilty to certain non-indictable charges against you; such as, traffic offenses, disorderly persons offenses and ordinances.                             If you are charged with an INDICTABLE offense, the                               Judge cannot ask for your plea because you have the right to a probably cause hearing before the Judge and at trial by jury at the County level if the Grand Jury indicts you.  There are, however, certain INDICTABLE offenses that may be tried by the Judge if you waive indictment and trail by jury in writing and the County Prosecutor consents.  You have the right to be informed if you have been charged with such an offense.
  4. You have the RIGHT TO RETAIN AN ATTORNEY.
    1. You have the RIGHT TO BE ASSIGNED AN ATTORNEY if:
    2. You are charged with an indictable offense and the State Public Defender determines that you cannot afford an attorney or
    3. You are charged with a non-indictable offense and the Judge determines that you cannot afford an attorney and there is a likelihood that if you are convicted, you will either go to jail, receive a substantial fine, or your driver’s license will be suspended.
  5. You have the right to obtain a REASONABLE POSTPONEMENT so that you may have an opportunity to consult with your attorney and prepare a proper defense.

7.  You are PRESUMED TO BE INNOCENT until   proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.*

8.  You have the RIGHT TO TESTIFY OR NOT TESTIFY  on your behalf.

9.  You have the RIGHT TO CALL OR SUBPOENA witnesses to testify on your behalf.

Cases usually will be heard in this order:

  1. application of adjournments
  2. guilty pleas
  3. contested matters with an attorney
  4. other contested matters

IF YOU COME TO COURT FOR A TRAFFIC OFFENSE and you have not previously notified the court of your intention to please Not Guilty, speak to the court clerk immediately.  If the officer of others involved can be contacted to testify, your case may be heard.  If they cannot be reached, you will have to make another court appearance at a later date.

WHEN YOU PLEAD “GUILTY” it is not necessary to have a trial.  You have admitted that you have violated the law.  However, you may then explain to the Judge any extenuating circumstances.  The Judge will then impose sentence.

IF YOU PLEAD “NOT GUILTY” you and the witnesses will be placed under oath to speak the truth.  It is necessary for the prosecution to prove the charges against you.  Your attorney has the right to ask the prosecution’s witnesses any questions pertaining to the charges.  If you do not have an attorney, present your questions for the witness to the Judge.

*For some violations, the required proof is by a preponderance of the credible evidence as, for example, in Penalty Enforcement Actions, fish and Game, filiation proceeding, breathalyzer refusal violations etc.

WHEN THE PROSECUTION HAS FINISHED you may then present your own witnesses or testify on your own behalf.  You are not forced to testify against yourself, but you may testify if you desire.  Any evidence you give may be used by either side.  If you do testify, the prosecution has the right to ask you any questions pertaining to the charges.

If the court finds you guilty and you feel the judgment or the sentence was in error, you have twenty (20) days within which to appeal.  Appeals in practically all instances will be heard by the Superior Court, Law Division.

Damages resulting from a collision cannot be tried by this court.  This court is only concerned with violation of the State statutes and municipal ordinances.

Every person has the right to make his own defense without an attorney; but, if you are in doubt as to your proper course, it is recommended that you consult an attorney.