What to expect when you arrive

Bass River Township, N.J.

WHAT TO EXPECT WHEN YOU ARRIVE

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.

Judge Sicheri will make his opening statement and take the roll call.

Cases will usually be taken in the following order:

Requests for postponements
Unlitigated motions
Arraignments
Pleas: Guilty and Not Guilty
Litigated motions
Contested matters with an attorney
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.