Bergen County Criminal Defense Attorney

Phillip J. Murphy has over 25 years of experience representing criminal defendants in Bergen County, New Jersey. Contact our proven Bergen County criminal defense attorney and get help today.

Court System and Legal Proceedings

There are two types of criminal courts in New Jersey. Municipal Courts, which hear Disorderly Persons Offenses, Traffic Violations and Driving While Intoxicated/Driving Under The Influence (DWI/DUI) cases ,are located in virtually every municipality in New Jersey, although some municipalities combine with other municipalities to form a consolidated Court, such as the Pascack Joint Municipal Court in Montvale. There are also specially created municipal Courts such as the Palisades Interstate Court in Alpine and the Central Municipal Court of Bergen County located in Hackensack. If you are charged with a Disorderly Persons Offense, a Traffic Violation or DWI/DUI, your case usually will be heard in the Municipal Court located where you were arrested. Each municipal court has a judge and a prosecutor who are experienced and have handled thousands of cases throughout their careers.

If you are charged with a more serious offense, called an Indictable Offense (the equivalent of a felony), your case will be heard in the New Jersey Superior Court located at the Bergen County Justice Center in Hackensack. Superior Court Criminal Judges are appointed by the Governor of New Jersey and confirmed by the State Legislature. The Bergen County Prosecutor is also appointed by the Governor and there are approximately   50 assistant prosecutors in the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office.

Sometimes a person is arrested for an Indictable Offense and the charges are downgraded to Disorderly Persons Offenses and the case is transferred to municipal court. Hiring an experienced Bergen County criminal attorney can help you understand the process and increase your chances of obtaining the best possible result in your case.

Areas of Expertise

For over 25 years, Phillip Murphy has successfully defended clients in Bergen County charged with :

Contact Our Bergen County, NJ Criminal Defense Attorney Today

If you have been charged with committing a criminal offense in Bergen County, New Jersey, please contact our office at (845) 639-6600 to receive a free initial consultation.