Vernon NJ Criminal & DUI Defense Lawyers

Defending Clients in Vernon Township and Sussex County, NJ

Are you facing a traffic criminal offense out of Vernon, New Jersey?  There are numerous tickets and criminal offenses that can bring you through Vernon Municipal Court or Sussex County Superior Court. Common criminal offenses found in Municipal Courts are usually disorderly persons offenses or petty disorderly persons offenses. Traffic tickets, on the other hand, are frequently related to DWI/DUI, speeding tickets, other moving violations, parking violations and other non-moving violations. No matter what lands you in Municipal or Superior Court for criminal charges or motor vehicle violations in Vernon, you need to be prepared with a solid defense if you are seeking the best outcome. Protecting your record in both the criminal and driving context can be crucial for other seemingly unrelated areas of your life, and a skilled criminal defense lawyer can do just that. Contact the criminal and DWI attorneys at The Tormey Law Firm today to start building a strong defense strategy for your Vernon Township criminal or traffic offenses. Our team leaves no stone unturned and we look at all of the evidence and discovery relating to your matter to ensure your rights are protected. Call 973-755-1695 anytime to discuss your case in a free consultation.

Do you have a Vernon Township Criminal or Traffic Matter?

If so, your case may be heard in the Vernon Township Municipal Court located 21 Church Street, Vernon, NJ. The Court’s hours of operation are Monday through Friday from 8:30am to 4:00pm.  The Court’s telephone number is: 973-764-4737 and fax number is: 973-764-4761. The Municipal Court Judge is Honorable James Devine. The Municipal Prosecutor is Alicia Ferrante, Esq. And the Court Administrator is Lindsay Miller. The court’s official website provides further information.

The Vernon Township Police Department is also located at 21 Church Street, Vernon, NJ.  The Police Department may be reached by phone for non-emergent matters at: (973) 764-6155 or by fax: (973) 764-2518.

Common Vernon Township Municipal Court cases include: traffic offenses such as DWI,  local ordinance violations, simple assault, disorderly conduct, shoplifting, harassment, certain possession of CDS offenses and drug paraphernalia charges, trespassing offenses, criminal mischief charges, fishing and game offenses, and more. Motor vehicle violations are heard in this court on a regular basis, including moving and non-moving infractions. To distinguish between moving violations and non-moving violations, it is simply when a vehicle is moving or when it is not. For example, moving violations surround speeding, running a light or stop sign, and more. Contrastingly, non-moving violations can be illegal window tints or something contrary to the law on the vehicle (broken headlights, etc.), or even parking violations.

If your Vernon Township criminal case is at the Superior Court level, then you will visit the Sussex County Superior Court, which is located at 43-47 High Street, Newton, New Jersey 07860. The Court may be reached by phone at: 862-397-5700.

Charged with an Offense in Vernon, Which Court will Hear my Case?

The Court you attend depends on the type of offense you have and the Court’s jurisdiction (or its ability to hear the matter).  So what does that mean exactly?  Having a case in the Sussex County Superior Court means that the charge is under the jurisdiction of a higher Court than Vernon Township Municipal Court. There are some types of criminal charges at the Superior Court level that have a presumption of incarceration. In other words, if you are charged with an indictable crime then there is an associated prison sentence once convicted. For first and second degree crimes, not having any prior record still exposes you to mandatory imprisonment, even if it is your first offense. Keep in mind that Municipal Court convictions still can result in jail time, however the convictions carry less severe penalties by nature.

Jurisdiction can be understood as a “key” that lets you into a Courtroom. If the key is too big, then you cannot open the door.  Similarly, if the key is too small then you cannot open the door. Minor offenses, or smaller “keys,” categorized as petty disorderly persons, disorderly persons offenses, Municipal Ordinance violations, and traffic violations will only allow your case to open the door or be heard in the Municipal Court.  This is the same premise for Superior Court cases in that felony crimes (or indictable offenses), Family Court matters, such as restraining order hearings, divorce hearings and more, will generally open the door to jurisdiction in Superior Court.  Of course, there are exceptions to this rule depending on Federal Court jurisdiction and appeals, but overall, the ability for your case to be heard on a particular matter is contingent upon the Court’s authority or jurisdiction to hear it. Sometimes, there are situations where you may be issued charges that should be heard at the Municipal Court but one or more of them are also the jurisdiction of the Superior Court.  In those instances, if they occurred at the same time, the Superior Court matter will allow your lower level offenses into the Superior Court so they can be disposed of at the same time.

How many years after a criminal offense can I be charged in Vernon, New Jersey?

The statute of limitations for a disorderly persons offense is up to one year from allegedly committing the offense.  For indictable offenses, it is up to five years from the date of allegedly committing the crime.

Additional Information About the Township of Vernon

Vernon Township is about one hour from New York City and is quite populous in comparison to its surrounding municipalities in Sussex County. According to the 2010 Census, there were upwards of 24,000 people living in the township alone.  The area is known for its rich geography, ski resorts and water parks and is a place visited by many outdoor enthusiasts.  The Township draws many visitors annually due to its surplus of outdoor activities and recreation.  Further, Vernon Township is highlighted by its unique elevation, being home to many Federal and State parks, and its juxtaposition to the Appalachian Trail.  In addition, Vernon also has many farms and is close to neighboring farms in the area.

Criminal Attorneys serving Vernon NJ

If you would like to discuss criminal charges, a DUI, or traffic case in Vernon Township, contact our dedicated team of Vernon criminal defense attorneys at 973-755-1695 for a free consultation. We have been defending clients charged with all manner of criminal and motor vehicle offense in New Jersey for our entire careers and our lawyers are here to assist with your defense. No matter whether you have been accused of cocaine or heroin possession, intent to distribute marijuana, resisting arrest, lewdness, sexual assault, burglary, harassment, or another crime, it is without doubt that we have successfully handled cases like yours. Take advantage of the opportunity to ask questions about your charges and possible ways to defend against them. A member of our team is available 24/7.