New Jersey courts and judges laws and regulations govern how judges resolve disputes in interpreting and applying the law. These laws are passed by the various legislative bodies in New Jersey, such as the New Jersey state legislature, and are enforced by the executive branch of government. A party that is dissatisfied by the decision of the trial court typically may appeal to the intermediate Court of Appeals. They also may have the option of asking the highest state court to hear the case.

The assignment of a case to courts in NJ is determined by the court that has jurisdiction. There are three general types of courts in New Jersey:

1. Municipal and county courts. NJ judges in county courts generally have jurisdiction over traffic cases and other misdemeanors. The vast majority of these cases are resolved without a trial.
2. District courts. A federal district court of New Jersey has jurisdiction over federal issues and is subject to review by a United States court of appeals.
3. Supreme Court. There is only one Supreme Court of New Jersey and it consists of a panel of judges. A federal court only may overrule a state supreme court when there is an issue of federal jurisdiction.
   

Action Steps
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Learn about the laws regarding municipal and county judges in New Jersey

New Jersey municipal and county courts are the workhorses of the New Jersey judicial system and decide most cases in New Jersey. New Jersey county courts commonly handle matters of probate law, traffic law and family law. Local rules for county courts address the procedures for assigning cases, issuing subpoenas and filing discovery motions.

I recommend: The Township of West Windsor provides rules for traffic cases in the municipal court. The Township of Brick offers rules for defendants who need to appear in the municipal court.

Examine laws that affect district courts in NJ

District courts in New Jersey are the trial courts for the federal court system. They also include courts that handle bankruptcy law as separate units of the district courts. District courts have rules that govern court procedures, such as filing civil actions, making motions and requesting continuances.

I recommend: The United States District Court for the District of New Jersey provides local rules, orders and appendices for this court. The U.S. Bankruptcy Court, District of New Jersey has its own set of local rules and general orders.

Review the laws governing the New Jersey Supreme Court

The New Jersey Supreme Court is the highest state court in New Jersey and generally only hears appeals involving state law. It does not make finding of facts and, therefore, does not hold trials. New Jersey state judges for the Supreme Court issue rules for topics like judicial conduct, the discipline of attorneys and the publication of opinions.

I recommend: The New Jersey Law Network has the rules that govern appellate practice in the Supreme Court of New Jersey. The New Jersey Judiciary lists the rules that govern practice in the New Jersey Supreme Court.

A basic knowledge of New Jersey courts and judges can be very beneficial if you ever find yourself in the courtroom. All too often individuals and businesses find the need to file a lawsuit, or are at the receiving end of a lawsuit, and their lack of knowledge on how the court system works leaves them lost in the proceedings. Regardless of the circumstances that put you there, it doesn’t hurt to understand the court process.

It’s important to understand that there are multiple courts in each state that oversee different types of cases. Each of these courts have judges that administer the law and case process. When considering New Jersey courts and New Jersey judges, keep the following in mind:

1. Municipal courts in New Jersey are the courts that individuals are most likely to come in contact with for traffic violations and minor criminal offenses.

2. Serious criminal offenses may start at the New Jersey municipal court, but typically end up in the Superior Court of New Jersey.

3. The New Jersey Supreme Court and Appellate Division only hear appellate cases and each court has their own appointed NJ judges.

4. Bankruptcy information and case filings are also accessible through NJ court records.

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Locate municipal and superior courts in New Jersey

Approximately 88% of cases heard in the municipal court in NJ are parking and traffic violations. The mayor of each municipality appoints the New Jersey judges in the municipal courts. The county courthouses make up the superior court of New Jersey. The county superior courts handle serious criminal offenses and civil matters. In addition to the state and federal court rules, circuit and county NJ courts have local rules and filing costs you must abide by when filing a case.

I recommend: Locate superior courts in NJ by county, along with detailed information on the superior court system, on the New Jersey Judiciary website. If you need information on a specific case in the Superior court, use the Superior Courts of New Jersey Motion Calendar Search.

File an appeal in the Appellate Division of New Jersey Courts

The New Jersey Supreme Court and Appellate Division both hear only appellate cases. The purpose of an appellate court is to review the trial transcript and original evidence of a case to determine if there were any errors in the original case decision. There are no witnesses, jurors or new evidence in a case heard before the New Jersey Supreme Court or Appellate Division. There are seven judges in New Jersey Supreme Court. The Appellate Division Court provides a panel of two to three judges to determine the outcome of each appellate case.

I recommend: Search the New Jersey courts opinions archive for information on current Supreme Court, Appellate Division Court and Tax Court decisions at the Rutgers School of Law. Obtain information on the appellate process and appellate forms from the New Jersey Judiciary website.

Access records from the bankruptcy courts in NJ

Whether you need to search for a bankruptcy filing on a debtor or determine if bankruptcy is an option for you or your company, the New Jersey Bankruptcy Courts can assist you with both. Because of its size, New Jersey, unlike most other states, only has one district bankruptcy court. The bankruptcy New Jersey court provides information on the basics for bankruptcy filing, contact information for trustees and bankruptcy attorneys and online search of New Jersey bankruptcy records.

I recommend: Visit the bankruptcy filing search on the New Jersey CM/ECF Pacer website. If you need information on filing bankruptcy without an attorney, go to the US Bankruptcy Court – District of New Jersey.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Regardless of how much knowledge you have of courts and judges in New Jersey, you should hire an attorney who specializes in your specific type of case to represent you.

Car insurance in New Jersey, like gas or rent, is expensive yet necessary. It doesn't just protect your car from dents; it protects you and other drivers from both bodily harm and financial ruin. For that reason, New Jersey car insurance isn't just something that drivers in the "Garden State" should have; it's something they must have.

New Jersey auto insurance doesn’t have to break the bank. You may be able to save by shopping around, declining unnecessary coverage and trading high deductibles for lower premiums. Indeed, you can cut costs, but you can't cut corners. If you drive in New Jersey, you need car insurance in New Jersey. Here's what kind and how much, according to New Jersey state law:

1. When buying auto insurance in New Jersey, drivers must purchase property damage liability (PDL), personal injury protection (PIP) and uninsured motorist (UM) coverage; collision, comprehensive and uninsured property damage coverage are recommended, but not required.
2. While New Jersey auto insurance is mandatory, state law does not specify minimum coverage. Still, the state recommends PDL coverage of at least $5,000 per accident and PIP coverage of at least $15,000 per person, per accident, up to $250,000 for permanent or significant injury.
3. In New Jersey, auto insurance comes in two types: The “Basic” policy, which includes only the minimum coverage as required by state law, and the “Standard” policy, which includes extra coverage — including bodily injury liability (BIL) — and higher coverage limits.

Action Steps
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Browse NJ auto insurance rates online

If you need New Jersey auto insurance, online quotes are a good starting point. Available from all major New Jersey auto insurance companies, they offer a fast and convenient way to research and compare premiums.

I recommend: Get comprehensive online quotes from many a New Jersey auto insurance company at websites like InsWeb, Insurance.com, InsuranceUSA and InsuranceFinder, or from companies like Progressive and Esurance, which quote both their own and competitors' rates.

Solicit NJ car insurance quotes from national providers

Most major car insurance carriers offer auto insurance in New Jersey and all provide competitive New Jersey car insurance rates.

I recommend: When they’re browsing car insurance companies, New Jersey drivers should start with the largest and most popular, including major providers like AIG, Allstate, Chubb, Farmers, GEICO, The Hartford, Liberty Mutual and State Farm. National associations like AAA and AARP are also good sources for affordable auto insurance in New Jersey.

Get car insurance in New Jersey from local and regional companies

In New Jersey, auto insurance rates can vary dramatically; for some of the most affordable, consider locally based providers.

I recommend: For automotive insurance, New Jersey drivers should try New Jersey-based companies like IFA Insurance Company, New Jersey Skylands Insurance and New Jersey Manufacturers Insurance Company. Also consider local programs, such as the New Jersey Automobile Insurance Plan, which is designed for drivers who can't easily find auto insurance in New Jersey, and the Dollar a Day Auto Insurance Policy, or SAIP.

Use an independent agent to find New Jersey car insurance bargains

Buying car insurance in New Jersey via an independent insurance agent can expose you to new resources, practical advice and special rates.

I recommend: To find an independent agent who can sell you car insurance in New Jersey, use the “find an independent agent” feature at the Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of New Jersey.

Choose NJ auto insurance companies that you can trust

Before doing business with New Jersey car insurance providers, review their records with consumers to make sure they are reliable, reputable and responsible.

I recommend: If you subscribe to Consumer Reports, you can check up on New Jersey car insurance companies. Another good resource is the New Jersey Division of Insurance, which compiles statistics on complaints about New Jersey auto insurance companies on its automobile insurance page.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Consider buying more coverage than is required by state law; minimum New Jersey car insurance might not be enough to cover car repairs or medical bills after an accident.
• •  Penalties for drivers who don't have New Jersey car insurance include driver's license and license plate suspension, cash fines and even jail time.
• •  If you're leasing or financing your car, dealerships might require you to have more and better New Jersey auto insurance than is required by state law.
• •  Higher deductibles typically mean lower premiums and more monthly savings on auto insurance in New Jersey.

If you do business in New Jersey, you need to understand some basic facts about the state’s courts and judges. Like most states, New Jersey’s courts have a significant impact on how businesses operate through the decisions they render on a case by case basis. Knowing whether the facts in those cases apply to your business can help you make informed decisions about your company’s operating policies. Take a quick look at some descriptive terms to learn key facts about New Jersey courts and judges.

Action Steps
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Case law

The term case law refers to the opinions of New Jersey courts that have been published and collected into law books. Lawyers in New Jersey search through this case law to understand how issues in their case have been decided in the past. As in other states, New Jersey courts follow legal precedent when making their decisions.

I recommend: If you’re wondering how to access case law, go to the State of New Jersey for a step by step explanation.

New Jersey Superior Courts

The New Jersey Superior Courts hear both criminal and civil cases. They are broken down into divisions depending on the kinds of cases they hear, such as family cases, criminal, housing matters, probation, civil cases and those involving general equity or chancery.

I recommend: If your business becomes embroiled in a lawsuit involving tax issues, you can find out at Court Reference how New Jersey Superior Courts can transfer these matters to the state’s tax courts.

New Jersey State court records

It's often that businesses need access to New Jersey State court records. These are kept at the court where the case was heard. Bear in mind that New Jersey courts have the power to limit your access to court records if they decide those records contain information that should not be publicly disclosed.

I recommend: Go to Citizen Media Law Project to learn about your rights to access New Jersey State Court Records and how you can go about requesting these records.

Arbitration

Not every matter in dispute gets decided by a court. Arbitration refers to the process of resolving matters without the need for a trial. Arbitration is New Jersey's form of 'Alternative Dispute Resolution.' The arbitration process is supervised by the Magistrate of New Jersey's District Court.

I recommend: The District Court of New Jersey explains the process of arbitration in detail. Find out how arbitrators are chosen and what’s involved in an arbitration hearing.

Judicial Administration Committee

New Jersey's Judicial Administration Committee supervises the process of appointing judges in the state. Its purpose is to make the selection process more efficient and more effective in finding competent judges.

I recommend: To understand more about the mission of the Judicial Administration Committee, read the New Jersey State Bar Association’s assessment of “The Issue” and “The Problem.”

Judicial Administration Committee

New Jersey's Judicial Administration Committee supervises the process of appointing judges in the state. Its purpose is to make the selection process more efficient and more effective in finding competent judges.

I recommend: To understand more about the mission of the Judicial Administration Committee, read the New Jersey State Bar Association’s assessment of “The Issue” and “The Problem.”

Office of Administrative Law

Some cases in New Jersey are decided in administrative hearings. The Office of Administrative Law supervises this process. The Office operates as a State agency to appoint administrative law judges to hear these cases and render written decisions. The agency then has the power to accept or reject the judges' decisions.

I recommend: Go to New Jersey to learn more about the procedure that the Office of Administrative Law follows.