Municipal Courts are statutory courts of limited jurisdiction having responsibility for motor vehicle traffic violations, disorderly and petty disorderly criminal offenses, municipal and county ordinance violations, certain penalty enforcement codes, health code violations, fish and game, weights and measures and all other proceedings within the territorial jurisdiction of the municipality. Practice and procedures are governed by NJ Court Rules. The Municipal Court judge is responsible for overseeing the administration of the Municipal Court.

Court sessions are held every Wednesday evening at 5:30 pm (excluding some Holiday weeks). Special DWI sessions are held monthly on Tuesday at noon, as scheduled.

If you receive a motor vehicle summons for either a parking or moving violations please note:
Your summons will have a court date under "Notice to Appear" section. If the "Court Appearance Required" box is NOT checked, the court date is generally the deadline for payment. If the box IS checked, you are required to appear for arraignment. If you are unsure, please call the court. Payable violations must be scheduled for an appearance and are NOT heard on the "pay by" date.

For more detailed information about the NJ Court System: www.judiciary.state.nj.us

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. How can I pay my ticket?
A. If you were issued a summons for a payable offense you may pay online at www.njmcdirect.com; mail a check or money order or go to the Violations Bureau Monday through Friday, 8 am to 3:30 pm, excluding holidays.

Q. Where are the Court and Violations Bureau?
A. Both are located in the Cranford Municipal Building, 8 Springfield Ave. on the lower level.

Q. Where can I park when I have to go to the court or Violations Bureau?
A. There is a public parking lot on Springfield Avenue across the street from the Municipal Building where the court is located. It is meter parking and visitors can park for up to 3 hours.

Q. The "Court Appearance Required" box is not checked on my ticket but there is a court date. Am I required to appear?
A. Generally, the court date means the date uncontested violations must be paid.

Q. The "Court Appearance Required" box is not checked on my ticket but I was unable to pay online. The message stated "This ticket is not eligible for payment". How do I resolve this matter?
A. You must call the court prior to the date on the summons for further instructions. The most likely reason is that the officer failed to check the box for a mandatory court appearance violation. The date on your summons is the day you must appear in court.

Q. I received a ticket today and tried to pay online but the website was unable to locate my ticket. How can I pay?
A. The ticket will not appear online until it is entered into the ATS system by the court. Local police tickets are generally entered within 4 days of issuance. State and County Police tickets are generally entered within 7 days.

Q. I don't think I should have to pay my ticket. Can I bring my documentation to the Violations Bureau window?
A. No. All contested matters must be heard in open court and on the record.