Joint Municipal Court

During the COVID-19 pandemic, municipal courts have cancelled their in person court sessions. With the use of technology, certain cases may be able to be heard and adjudicated remotely. It is advised that you contact the court to set up a video court proceeding and provide your telephone and email address. 

The court office remains open and tickets can still be paid online. 

The Joint Municipal Court serves 4 towns: Borough of Madison, Borough of Chatham, Township of Chatham and the Township of Morris.

All court sessions are held on the 1st floor of the Harley Dodge Memorial.

Mission Statement

We are an independent branch of government constitutionally entrusted with the fair and just resolution of disputes in order to preserve the rule of law and to protect the rights and liberties guaranteed by the Constitution and laws of the United States and this State. 

Statement of Core Values

Required to accomplish our mission are four paramount values representing the core of what we stand for as an organization:

  • Independence;
  • Integrity;
  • Fairness;
  • Quality Service

Location

The Violations Bureau and the Courtroom are located at:

Hartley Dodge Memorial
50 Kings Road
Madison, NJ 07940

Parking

Parking is free after 4 p.m. in the lot directly adjacent to the Hartley Dodge Memorial Building.

Business Hours

  • Business hours are weekdays 8 a.m. - 4 p.m.
  • Trial date adjournments must be requested during the business day. The Court will not grant adjournments by leaving voicemail messages.

Court In Session

  • Borough of Madison meets every Wednesday at 5 p.m. and 6:30 p.m.
  • Borough of Chatham meets the 1st and 3rd Wednesdays of the month at 5 p.m. and 6:30 p.m.
  • Township of Chatham meets the 2nd Tuesday of the month at 5 p.m.
  • Township of Morris meets the 1st and 3rd Mondays of the month at 4 p.m. & 5:15 p.m, and the 4th Tuesday of the month at 4 p.m. and 5:15 p.m.

Staff

The Joint Municipal Court is presided over by Judge Jonathan H. Rosenbluth. 

Court Staff

  • Municipal Court Administrator: Dawn Allgeier
  • Deputy Court Administrator: Vivien Thorsen
  • Deputy Court Administrator: Marisol Caicedo

Prosecutors

  • Madison & Chatham Borough: MaryAnn O'Donnell McCoy
  • Chatham Township: Matthew Dorsi
  • Morris Township: Lisa Thompson

Public Defenders

  • Madison & Chathams: Robert Warmington
  • Morris Township: John Paul Velez

Jurisdiction

The Joint Municipal Court has jurisdiction over:

  • Traffic violations
  • Parking violations
  • Criminal disorderly persons offenses
  • Petty disorderly offenses and local ordinances

The Municipal Judge also has the authority to issue domestic violence temporary restraining orders, authorize warrants for arrest, revoke driving privileges in the State of New Jersey, order Probation, community service, and jail sentences as stipulated by statute. The Municipal Judge is also empowered to perform wedding ceremonies.

Violations Bureau

The Violations Bureau is open weekdays to the public between the hours of 8 a.m. - 4 p.m. The Bureau can be reached at 973-593-3026.

Expedited Expungement

If you are charged with a disorderly persons offence, petty disorderly persons offence, or a municipal ordinance violations, and those charges are either dismissed, you are acquitted, or your case is discharged without a conviction or finding of guilt, you may be eligible for an expedited expungement pursuant to N.J.S.A. 2C:52-6. For more information and to determine if you are eligible, you may inquire with the municipal court at the time of disposition.

Mediation

Mediation is a confidential, structured, non-adversarial process that allows a neutral third party to assist disputing parties in reaching a mutually acceptable solution. The mediation process can be a less expense, informal, and more meaningful alternative than the traditional trial process. This is because of the efforts of trained volunteers and the resolution being decided by the participants. The court will refer appropriate cases to mediation.