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General Information

WELCOME TO OUR COURT
A shared municipal court serving Bass River and Washington Townships

Court sessions are still held virtually with few exceptions. Contact the court for any zoom information you may need. See Attending Court Remotely Video for additional information.

If a defendant is indigent and in the opinion of the municipal court there is a likelihood that the defendant, if convicted, will be subject to imprisonment or other consequence of magnitude they have a constitutional right to court-appointed representation. Those wishing to establish indigency must complete and submit the fillable Financial Questionnaire form.

Questions? Review the website. If you have additional questions call the office during business hours

Contact

Phone:

(609)296-1410

Fax:

(609)296-0193

Location:

3 North Maple Avenue,
New Gretna, NJ 08224

Mailing Address:

Municipal Court
PO Box 214
New Gretna, NJ 08224

Hours:

M – F 9 AM – 4 PM

Court Sessions:

10 AM – 1 PM
First & Third Tuesday of the Month

Officers and Staff

Honorable Adolph P. Sicheri, J.M.C. - Judge

Kevin S. Quinlan, Esquire - Prosecutor

Peggy A. Beck, C.M.C.A .- Court Administrator

Lara Bednarczyk - Deputy Court Administrator

Mayra Vazquez-Lopez - Violations Clerk

Attending Municipal Court Remotely

COURT DIRECTIONS

The shared Bass River Twp/Washington Twp Municipal Courts are located in the Bass River Township Municipal Building, 3 North Maple Avenue, New Gretna, N.J. If you are using a GPS unit to get to the Municipal Building, you must enter Bass River Township as the town. Do not enter New Gretna.

Garden State Parkway from North: Take exit 52. go to stop sign make left (rt 654). Go to the next stop sign. Make a right onto Rt 9 South. Go to 1st traffic light. Make a right onto North Maple Avenue. The Municipal Building is the first building on the left.

Garden State Parkway from South: Take exit 50 (Rt 9 north) to the first traffic light. Make a left onto North Maple Avenue. The Municipal Building is the first building on the left.

Atlantic City Expressway (Philadelphia/Camden/Atlantic City): Take exit 7N (Garden State Parkway north) to exit 50 (Rt 9 North). Go to the first traffic light. Make a left onto North Maple Avnue. The Municipal Building is the first building on the left.

Cherry Hill- Western Burlington County: Take Rt 70 east to Rt 72 east (4 mile circle). Take Rt 72 East to Rt 563 (approximately 4 miles). Make a right onto Rt 563 toward Chatsworth-New Gretna. Continue on Rt 563 approximately 15-18 miles to Rt 679 for New Gretna (take left fork at rt 563/rt 679). Go approximately 9 miles on Rt 679 to New Gretna. The Municipal Building is the last building on the right before the traffic light.

Mount Holly area: Take Et 38 East (becomes Rt 530 after crossing over Rt 206) to Rt 644 East (Pemberton Magnolia Rd). Continue on Pemberton Magnolia Rd to Rt 70/Rt 72 circle. Take Rt 72 East to Rt 563. Make a right onto Rt 563 toward Chatsworth-New Gretna. Continue on Rt, 563 approximately 15-18 miles, to Rt 679 for New Gretna (take left fork at rt 563/rt 679). Go approximately 9 miles on Rt 679 to New Gretna. The Municipal Building is the last building on the right before the traffic light.

I-195 at New Jersey Turnpike: Take Allentown Exit. Take Rt 539 south, approximately 40 miles, to Rt 9 South in Tuckerton. Make a right onto Rt 9 south into New Gretna. Make a right at traffic light in New Gretna onto North Maple Avenue. The Municipal Building is the first building on left.

Hammonton-Berlin area: Going east on Rt 30, make a left onto CR 542 in Hammonton. Continue on CR 542, approximately 20 miles, to Rt 9 in New Gretna. Make left onto Rt 9 North. Go to the first traffic light. Make a left onto North Maple Avenue. The Municipal Building is the first building on the left.

Bass River Municipal Building

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 the State of New Jersey.


The 4 Core Values of the Municipal Court: Independence, Integrity, Fairness and Quality Service.

Court Session

Prior to Court Session

For security purposes the Bailiff, Michael Nino in our court, will scan you and may search any handbag, briefcase, etc. per Directive #15-06.

Please turn off or silence any cell phone or electronic device when in courtroom or violation window area.

Check for your name on the court calendar located on the table in the courtroom. Please make mental note of the page where you are listed and give that page number to the prosecutor when you speak with him. The prosecutor in our court is Kevin S. Quinlan, Esquire.

After everyone has spoken to the prosecutor the court session will begin.

During Court Session

Judge Sicheri will make his opening statement and take the roll call.
Cases will usually be taken in the following order:

  1. Requests for postponements
  2. Unlitigated motions
  3. Arraignments
  4. Pleas: Guilty and Not Guilty
  5. Litigated motions
  6. Contested matters with an attorney
  7. Other contested matters.

You will be called to come before the Judge. After having your case heard, if any fines or penalties are accessed, the Judge will advise you of the amount and instruct you to go to the Court Violation Window. The court staff will call your name when your file has been sent back to the office from the courtroom. They will also advise you of the fines due. We accept check, money order, and cash. Debit and Credit Cards are not accepted at the violation window. If you cannot pay your fines in full on court day you may make a request for time payments pursuant to Directive #2-10 (L2009, c. 317). You will have to complete a Financial Questionnaire to Establish Indigency Form for review. If time payments are approved a payment may be required on court day.

Some cases involve the handling of more paperwork than others. We will try to process your case as promptly as possible but please be patient.

If bail was posted in your name that bail money will be applied to your fines. If bail was posted by someone else they will be asked if they want the money applied or refunded. If the person posting bail is not present on court day and they did not give the court written authorization to apply the money then the court will refund their money by mail the next business day.

Assistance From Court Personnel

What court personnel can and cannot advise you

WE CAN:

  • We can explain and answer questions about how the court works.
  • We can give you some information from your case file.
  • We can tell you what the requirements are to have your case considered by the court.
  • We can provide you with samples of court forms that are available.
  • We can provide you with guidance on how to fill out forms.
  • We can usually answer questions about court deadlines.


WE CANNOT:

  • We cannot give legal advice. Only your lawyer can give you legal advice.
  • We cannot tell you whether or not you should bring your case to court.
  • We cannot give you an opinion about what will happen if you bring your case to court.
  • We cannot recommend a lawyer but we can provide you with the telephone number of a local lawyer referral service.
  • We cannot talk to the judge for you about what will happen in your case.
  • We cannot let you talk to the judge outside of court.
  • We cannot change an order issued by a judge.
  • We cannot give you information regarding points issued by Motor Vehicle Commission.

Violations and Offenses

Violations handled in Municipal Court:

  • Motor vehicle and traffic laws (Title 39)
  • Disorderly and Petty Disorderly persons offenses – criminal cases that may result in fine or jail.
  • Municipal Ordinances (local laws)
  • Fish and game laws, parks and forest, weights and measures, SPCA, boating regulations

Private citizen complaints: 
We will accept any complaint from any person. The court administrator/deputy administrator will review the complaint to see if probable cause is found for the issuance of the complaint. If they cannot find probable cause it will be given to the Judge for his review.

Payable offenses:
Payable traffic offenses are listed on the Statewide Violation Schedule . Payment for these offenses may be mailed to the Court, made at the Court’s Violation Window during normal business hours or paid on the Internet at: www.njmcdirect.com.

If paying on the Internet you will need to have the ticket in front of you. You will need the Court Code (ID), Prefix, Ticket Number and the vehicle plate number.

Court ID: Bass River 0301, Washington 0337, and Woodland 0339.

Only Visa and MasterCard are acceptable payments on the Internet. Only traffic offenses are payable on the Internet at this time. At this time payments are not accepted over the telephone. If sending your payment in the mail please indicate the complaint/ticket number on your check or money order. DO NOT MAIL CASH!

First Appearance Required: 

Certain traffic offenses, all criminal offenses and private citizen complaints are mandatory court appearance. When you are ordered to appear in court for a first appearance you must come on the scheduled date and time. Failure to appear may result in Judge Sicheri issuing a failure to appear or possible bench warrant.

If your offense is an indictable offense the case will be transferred to the Burlington County Prosecutor’s Office for review. Failure to appear in the municipal court may result in a bench warrant being issued by the Superior Court.

Not guilty plea:

If you want to plead not guilty please contact the court office 7 days prior to the date listed on the ticket. At that time the staff will confirm your name, address and phone number. You will verbally be given a new date and time. This will be confirmed with a notice mailed to you on the next business day. If you for some reason do not receive the notice, the date given to you verbally will be considered as official notification.

If you have some hardship reason(s) why you can’t appear in court but want to plead not guilty, please contact the court office for further information. You may be able to plea by mail. There are some offenses that cannot be handled through plea by mail.

The services of an interpreter and/or sign language interpreter are available at no charge to you. Please notify the court staff prior to court day.

Points and/or Suspension:

Please check with New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission www.nj.gov/nj/trans/vehicles for any question(s) regarding points or suspension of your driver’s license. New Jersey Point System information is also available at www.njmcdirect.com.

If you are licensed in a state other than New Jersey please check with your state Motor Vehicle Commission.

Common Court Terms

  • Adjournment: Case rescheduled for another date and time.
  • Appeal: A request for the Superior Court to review and reverse a court’s decision.
  • Arraignment/First Appearance: Reading of the complaint to the defendant in open court or stating the substance of the charge, and advising the defendant of certain rights and possible penalties.
  • Attorney/Lawyer: A person trained in the law who represents clients in legal matters.
  • Bail/Bond: Money or other security provided to the court to temporarily allow a person’s release from custody and assure they appear in court for each appearance until the case is decided.
  • Bail Forfeiture: The bail is lost if the defendant fails to appear in court for each appearance.
  • Bench Warrant: A warrant issued by the court (from the bench) for the arrest of a person for failure to appear or failure to comply with a court order.
  • Calendar: List of cases scheduled for hearing in court.
  • Certified Disposition: A written certified copy of the judge’s decision in a case.
  • Commit: To send a person to jail.
  • Community Service: Work performed for a municipality or nonprofit organization for a certain period of time without pay. By law, the Judge must order community service for certain traffic offenses and may order community service for criminal convictions.
  • Complaint: A formal written charge stating a person has committed a criminal offense.
  • Concurrent Sentence: Sentence for more than one crime that are to be served at the same time.
  • Conditional Discharge: To release the charges against a person subject to a condition.
  • Consecutive Sentence: Sentence for two or more crimes to run one after another.
  • Contempt of Court: Willful disobedience of a judge’s command or an official court order.
  • Court Administrator: A person appointed by the court to oversee the administrative, non-judicial activities of the court.
  • Discovery: The pretrial process by which one party discovers the evidence that will be relied upon in the trial of the opposing party.
  • Expungement: An official and formal erasure of a record or partial contents of a record.
  • Failure to Appear (FTA): The failure of any party to appear in court in response to a complaint/notice issued.
  • Fine: To sentence a person convicted of an offense to pay a penalty in money. In criminal convictions, it may be in addition to imprisonment or a condition of probation
  • Incarcerate: To be jailed or held in a correctional facility.
  • Indictable Offense: A serious criminal offense referred to the County Prosecutor for a determination if the case should be presented to the Grand Jury and heard in Superior Court.
  • Indigent: Needy or Impoverished.
  • Judge: An appointed public official with authority to hear and decides cases in court.
  • Jurisdiction: The legal authority of a court to hear and decide a case. The geographic area over which the court has authority to decide cases.
  • Letter of representation: Letter from attorney stating he/she will represent the defendant in court.
  • Missed court dates: The “notice to appear” date on a payable ticket is considered the first court date. If not paid by that date a failure to appear notice will be issued with an additional cost. The date on this notice is considered as the second court date.
  • Municipal Court: A court having jurisdiction over cases arising within the municipality in which it sits.
  • Plea: The defendant’s declaration in open court that he/she is guilty or not guilty.
  • Plea Bargaining: The process through which an accused person and the prosecutor negotiate a mutually satisfactory disposition of a case. Such bargains are not binding on the court.
  • Pro Se: Refers to persons who present their own cases without lawyers.
  • Probable Cause: A reasonable belief that a crime has been committed.
  • Probation: An alternative to imprisonment allowing a person found guilty or pleading guilty to an offense to stay in the community, usually under conditions and under the supervision of a probation officer. Violation of probation can lead to its revocation and to imprisonment.
  • Prosecutor: A trial lawyer representing the government in a criminal case and the interests of the state in civil matters. The prosecutor in our court is Kevin S. Quinlan, Esquire.
  • Public Defender: An attorney may be appointed by the court if you meet the requirements after completing a Financial Questionnaire to Establish Indigency form and approved by Judge Sicheri. There may be an application fee of up to $200.00. Only those cases that have a possibility of jail time, driver’s license suspension and substantial fines are eligible for a public defender. The public defender for our court is Brian Rumpf, Esquire.
  • ROR: Release of a person from custody without the payment of any bail/bond with the promise to appear in court.
  • Sentence: The punishment ordered by a court for a defendant convicted of a crime.
  • Statute: A law written by the Legislature.
  • Stay: A court order halting a judicial proceeding.
  • Summons: A notice to a defendant that he/she has been charged with a crime and is required to appear in court.
  • Surety: One who posts bail.
  • Waiver: Intentionally giving up a right
  • Warrant: A court order authorizing law enforcement officers to make an arrest.

Other Court Resources

New Jersey Courts On Line:
https://www.njcourts.com

Your Day in Court Brochure:
https://www.njcourts.gov/forms/10959_yourdayincourt_8x11.pdf

Appealing Judge’s Decision:
https://njcourts.gov/forms/10559_muni_appeal_kit.pdf

Request for court records:
https://www.njcourts.gov/forms/10200_records_req.pdf

Statewide Violation Schedule Traffic Offenses:
https://www.njcourts.gov/attorneys/assets/directives/dir_15_20.pdf

New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission: 
https://www.state.nj.us/mvc/

Burlington County Vicinage:
https://www.njcourts.gov/courts/vicinages/burlington

Fines and Penalties for DWI:
https://www.state.nj.us/lps/dcj/agguide/dwi2005-penaltytable.pdf

Veteran Assistance Program:
https://www.njcourts.gov/courts/assets/criminal/#toc-veterans-assistance-project

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