West Caldwell Municipal Court

West Caldwell Municipal Court cases in Essex County, West Caldwell, NJ

Caldwell Municipal Court is a municipal court in Caldwell, New Jersey. It has limited jurisdiction over offenses arising within its municipal boundaries, including motor vehicle and parking violations, municipal ordinance and property code violations, and disorderly persons and petty disorderly persons offenses (such as simple assault, harassment, and shoplifting under statutory thresholds). The court issues warrants, accepts pleas, sets bail, and conducts first appearances and probable-cause hearings in indictable (felony) matters before those cases are transferred to the Essex County Superior Court. It does not hear civil lawsuits, small claims, landlord-tenant disputes, family matters, or felony trials, which are handled by the New Jersey Superior Court.

West Caldwell Municipal Court Contact and Location Information

Services and Case Types Handled in West Caldwell Municipal Court

Caldwell Municipal Court serves the public by handling fine-only offenses and local code matters. Core functions include:
- Processing case filings from citations and sworn complaints.
- Scheduling and conducting arraignments, pretrial conferences, compliance dockets, bench and jury trials, and sentencing.
- Managing payments, payment plans, deferred disposition, driver safety course elections, and community service.

Typical case types:
- Traffic and parking violations.
- City ordinance/code violations (property, nuisance, animal control).
- Class C misdemeanors (e.g., disorderly conduct, public intoxication, assault by contact, theft under $100, drug paraphernalia), including juvenile and school attendance cases.

Judicial/magistrate services:
- Issuing warrants, accepting pleas and bonds, and magistrating arrestees.
- Where authorized, issuing emergency protective orders after qualifying arrests.

Jury services:
- Summons, qualification, scheduling, voir dire, and juror assistance.

Public access:
- Records requests, docket information, and forms.