RULE 7:7. Pretrial Procedures

7:7-1. Pleadings; Objections

Pleadings in municipal court actions shall consist only of the complaint. A defense or objection capable of determination without trial of the general issue shall be raised before trial by motion to dismiss or for other appropriate relief, except that a motion to dismiss based upon lack of jurisdiction or the unconstitutionality of a municipal ordinance may be made at any time.

Note: Source-R. (1969) 7:4-2(e), 3:10-1. Adopted October 6, 1997 to be effective February 1, 1998.

7:7-2. Motions

  • (a) How Made. Except as otherwise provided by R. 7:5-2 (motion to suppress), motions in the municipal court and answers to motions, if any, shall be made orally, unless the court directs that the motion and answer be in writing. Oral testimony or affidavits in support of or in opposition to the motion may be required by the court in its discretion.

  • (b) Hearings. A motion made before trial shall be determined before trial unless the court, in the interest of justice, directs that it be heard during or after trial.

  • (c) Effect of Determination of Motion. Except as otherwise provided by R. 7:6-2(c) (conditional pleas), if a motion is determined adversely to the defendant, the defendant shall be permitted to plead, if a plea has not already been entered. If a plea has been entered, the defendant may be permitted to stand trial as soon as the adverse determination on the motion is made. If an objection or defense specified in R. 7:7-1 is sustained and is not otherwise remediable, the court shall order the complaint dismissed. If the court dismisses the complaint and the defendant is held in custody on that complaint, the court shall order the defendant released.

Note: Source-Paragraph (a): R. (1969) 7:4-2(e); paragraph (b): R. (1969) 7:4-2(e), 3:10-2(b); paragraph (c): R. (1969) 3:10-7. Adopted October 6, 1997 to be effective February 1, 1998.

7:7-3. Notice of Alibi; Failure to Furnish

  • (a) Alibi. A defendant who intends to rely on an alibi shall, within 10 days after a written demand by the prosecuting attorney, furnish the prosecuting attorney with a signed statement of alibi, specifying the specific place or places at which the defendant claims to have been at the time of the alleged offense and the names and addresses of the witnesses upon whom the defendant intends to rely to establish the alibi. Within 10 days after receipt of the statement of alibi, the prosecuting attorney shall, on written demand, furnish the defendant or defendant'sattorney with the names and addresses of the witnesses upon whom the State intends to rely to establish defendant's presence at the scene of the alleged offense. The court may order any amendment to or amplification of the alibi statement as required in the interest of justice.

  • (b) Failure to Furnish. If the information required by paragraph (a) of this rule is not furnished, the court may refuse to permit the party in default to present witnesses at trial as to defendant's presence at or absence from the scene of the alleged offense or may make any other order or grant any adjournment or continuance as may be required in the interest of justice.

Note: Source-R. (1969) 3:12-2. Adopted October 6, 1997 to be effective February 1, 1998.

7:7-4. Notice of Defense of Insanity; Evidence of Mental Disease or Defect

  • (a) Insanity as a Defense. A defendant who intends to claim insanity as a defense, pursuant to N.J.S.A. 2C:4-1, or a lack of the requisite state of mind, pursuant to N.J.S.A. 2C:4-2, shall serve a written notice of that intention upon the prosecuting attorney prior to trial. For good cause shown, the court may extend the time for service of the notice or make such other order as the interest of justice requires. If the defendant fails to comply with this rule, the court may take such action as the interest of justice requires.

  • (b) Acquittal by Reason of Insanity. If a defendant interposes the defense of insanity and is acquitted after trial on that ground, the decision and judgment shall include a statement of those facts and the procedure for referral of the defendant as provided by N.J.S.A. 2C:4-8 and 2C:4-9 and R. 4:74-7 shall apply.

  • (c) Involuntary Civil Commitments. Rule 4:74-7 shall govern the practice and procedure in the municipal court for the disposition of involuntary civil commitment matters, pursuant to N.J.S.A. 30:4-27.1 et seq.

Note: Source-Paragraph (a): R. (1969) 3:12-1; paragraph (b): R. (1969) 3:19-2; paragraph (c): new. Adopted October 6, 1997 to be effective February 1, 1998; paragraph (b) amended July 5, 2000 to be effective September 5, 2000.

7:7-5. Pretrial Procedure

  • (a) Pretrial Conference. At any time after the filing of the complaint, the court may order one or more conferences with the parties to consider the results of negotiations between them relating to a proposed plea or to other matters that will promote a fair and expeditious disposition or trial. With the consent of the parties or counsel for the parties, the court may permit any pretrial conference to be conducted by means of telephone or video link.

  • (b) Pretrial Hearings. The court may conduct hearings to resolve issues relating to the admissibility of statements by defendant, pretrial identifications of defendant, and sound recordings at any time prior to trial. Upon a showing of good cause, hearings as to theadmissibility of other evidence may also be conducted at any time prior to trial.

Note: Source - Paragraph (a): new; paragraph (b): R. (1969) 7:4-2(d), 3:9-1(d). Adopted October 6, 1997 to be effective February 1, 1998; paragraph (a) amended July 16, 2009 to be effective September 1, 2009.

7:7-6. Depositions

  • (a) When Authorized. If it appears to the judge of the court in which a complaint is pending that a witness is likely to be unable to testify at trial because of impending death or physical or mental incapacity, the court, upon motion and notice to the parties, and after a showing that such action is necessary to prevent manifest injustice, may order that a deposition of the testimony of that witness be taken and that any designated books, papers, documents or tangible objects, not privileged, be produced at the same time and place.

  • (b) Procedure. The deposition shall be videotaped, unless the court otherwise orders. The deposition shall be taken before the judge at a location convenient to all parties. If the judge is unable to preside because the deposition is to be taken outside of the State, the deposition shall be taken before a person designated by the judge. All parties and counsel shall have a right to be present at the deposition. Examination, cross-examination, and determination of admissibility of evidence shall proceed in the same manner as at trial. Videotaping shall be done by a person chosen by the judge who is independent of both prosecution and defense.

  • (c) Use. Depositions taken pursuant to paragraph (a) of this rule may be used at trial instead of the testimony of the witness if the witness is unable to testify in court because of impending death or physical or mental incapacity, or if the judge finds that the party offering the deposition has been unable to procure the attendance of the witness by subpoena or otherwise, the deposition shall be admissible pursuant to the Rules of Evidence applied as though the witness were then present and testifying. The deposition shall not be admissible, however, unless the court finds that the circumstances surrounding its taking allowed adequate preparation and cross-examination by all parties. A record of the videotaped testimony, which shall be part of the official record of the court proceedings, shall be made in the same manner as if the witness were present and testifying. On conclusion of the trial, the videotape shall be retained by the court.

Note: Source-R. (1969) 7:4-2(h), 3:13-2(a), (b), (c). Adopted October 6, 1997 to be effective February 1, 1998.>

7:7-7. Discovery and Inspection

  • (a) Scope. If the government is represented by the municipal prosecutor or a private prosecutor in a cross complaint case, discovery shall be available to the parties only as provided by this rule, unless the court otherwise orders. All discovery requests by defendant shall be served on the municipal prosecutor, who shall be responsible for making government discovery available to the defendant. If the matter is, however, not being prosecuted by the municipal prosecutor, the municipal prosecutor shall transmit defendant's discovery requests to the private prosecutor in a cross complaint case, pursuant to R. 7:8-7(b).

  • (b) Discovery by Defendant. In all cases the defendant, on written notice to the municipal prosecutor or private prosecutor in a cross complaint case, shall be allowed to inspect, copy, and photograph or to be provided with copies of any relevant:

    • (1) books, tangible objects, papers or documents obtained from or belonging to the defendant;

    • (2) records of statements or confessions, signed or unsigned, by the defendant or copies thereof, and a summary of any admissions or declarations against penal interest made by the defendant that are known to the prosecution but not recorded;

    • (3) grand jury proceedings recorded pursuant to R. 3:6-6;

    • (4) results or reports of physical or mental examinations and of scientific tests or experiments made in connection with the matter or copies of these results or reports, that are within the possession, custody or control of the prosecuting attorney;

    • (5) reports or records of defendant's prior convictions;

    • (6) books, originals or copies of papers and documents, or tangible objects, buildings or places that are within the possession, custody or control of the government;

    • (7) names and addresses of any persons whom the prosecuting attorney knows to have relevant evidence or information, including a designation by the prosecuting attorney as to which of those persons the prosecuting attorney may call as witnesses;

    • (8) record of statements, signed or unsigned, by the persons described by subsection (7) of this rule or by co-defendants within the possession, custody or control of the prosecuting attorney, and any relevant record of prior conviction of those persons;

    • (9) police reports that are within the possession, custody or control of the prosecuting attorney;

    • (10) warrants, that have been completely executed, and any papers accompanying them, as described by R. 7:5-1(a);

    • (11) the names and addresses of each person whom the prosecuting attorney expects to call to trial as an expert witness, the expert's qualifications, the subject matter on which the expert is expected to testify, a copy of the report, if any, of the expert witness, or if no report wasprepared, a statement of the facts and opinions to which the expert is expected to testify and a summary of the grounds for each opinion. If this information is requested and not furnished, the expert witness may, upon application by the defendant, be barred from testifying at trial.

  • (c) Discovery by the State. In all cases the municipal prosecutor or the private prosecutor in a cross complaint case, on written notice to the defendant, shall be allowed to inspect, copy, and photograph or to be provided with copies of any relevant:

    • (1) results or reports of physical or mental examinations and of scientific tests or experiments made in connection with the matter or copies of these results or reports within the possession, custody or control of the defendant or defense counsel;

    • (2) any relevant books, originals or copies of papers and other documents or tangible objects, buildings or places within the possession, custody or control of the defendant or defense counsel;

    • (3) the names and addresses of those persons known to defendant who may be called as witnesses at trial and their written statements, if any, including memoranda reporting or summarizing their oral statements;

    • (4) written statements, if any, including any memoranda reporting or summarizing the oral statements, made by any witnesses whom the government may call as a witness at trial; and

    • (5) the names and addresses of each person whom the defense expects to call to trial as an expert witness, the expert's qualifications, the subject matter on which the expert is expected to testify, and a copy of the report, if any, of such expert witness, or if no report is prepared, a statement of the facts and opinions to which the expert is expected to testify and a summary of the grounds for each opinion. If this information is requested and not furnished, the expert may, upon application by the prosecuting attorney, be barred from testifying at trial.

  • (d) Documents Not Subject to Discovery. This rule does not require discovery of a party's work product, consisting of internal reports, memoranda or documents made by that party or by that party's attorney or agents, in connection with the investigation, prosecution or defense of the matter. Nor does it require discovery by the government of records or statements, signed or unsigned, by defendant made to defendant's attorney or agents.

  • (e) Reasonableness of Cost. Upon motion of any party, the court may consider the reasonableness of the cost of discovery ordered by the court to be disseminated to the parties. If the court finds that the cost charged for discovery is unreasonable, the court may order the cost reduced or make such other order as is appropriate.

  • (f) Protective Orders.

    • (1) Grounds. Upon motion and for good cause shown, the court may at any time order that the discovery or inspection, copying or photographing sought pursuant to this rule be denied, restricted, or deferred or make such other order as is appropriate. In determining the motion, the court may consider the following: protection of witnesses and others from physical harm, threats of harm, bribes, economic reprisals and other intimidation; maintenance of such secrecy regarding informants as is required for effective investigation of criminal activity; protection ofconfidential relationships and privileges recognized by law; and any other relevant considerations.

    • (2) Procedures. The court may permit the showing of good cause to be made, in whole or in part, in the form of a written statement to be inspected by the court alone. If the court enters a protective order, the entire text of the statement shall be sealed and preserved in the court's records, to be made available only to the appellate court in the event of an appeal.

  • (g) Time and Procedure. A defense request for discovery shall be made contemporaneously with the entry of appearance by the defendant's attorney, who shall submit a copy of the appearance and demand for discovery directly to the municipal prosecutor. If the defendant is not represented, any requests for discovery shall be made in writing and submitted by the defendant directly to the municipal prosecutor. The municipal prosecutor shall respond to the discovery request in accordance with paragraph (b) of this rule within 10 days after receiving the request. Unless otherwise ordered by the judge, the defendant shall provide the prosecutor with discovery, as provided by paragraph (c) of this rule, within 20 days of the prosecuting attorney's compliance with the defendant's discovery request. Unless otherwise ordered by the judge, the parties may exchange discovery through the use of e-mail, internet or other electronic means.

  • (h) Continuing Duty to Disclose; Failure to Comply. If a party who has complied with this rule discovers, either before or during trial, additional material or names of witnesses previously requested or ordered subject to discovery or inspection, that party shall promptly notify the other party or that party's attorney of the existence of these additional materials and witnesses. If at any time during the course of the proceedings it is brought to the attention of the court that a party has failed to comply with this rule or with an order issued pursuant to this rule, the court may order that party to permit the discovery, inspection, copying or photographing of materials not previously disclosed, grant a continuance, prohibit the party from introducing in evidence the material not disclosed or enter such other order as it deems appropriate.

Note: Source-Paragraph (a): new; paragraph (b): R. (1969) 7:4-2(h), 3:13-3(c); paragraph (c): R. (1969) 7:4-2(h), 3:13-3(d); paragraph (d): R. (1969) 7:4-2(h), 3:13-3(e); paragraph (e): R. (1969) 7:4-2(h), 3:13-3(f); paragraph (f) new; paragraph (g): R. (1969) 7:4-2(h), 3:13-3(g). Adopted October 6, 1997 effective February 1, 1998; paragraph (c) amended July 5, 2000 to be effective September 5, 2000; paragraph (f) amended July 16, 2009 to be effective September 1, 2009; paragraphs (a), (b), and (c) amended, new paragraph (e) caption and text adopted, former paragraphs (e), (f), and (g) redesignated as paragraphs (f), (g), and (h) July 21, 2011 to be effective September 1, 2011.

7:7-8. Form of Subpoena

  • (a) Issuance. Except as otherwise provided in paragraph (d), upon the issuance of process on a complaint within the trial jurisdiction of the municipal court, a subpoena may be issued by a judicial officer, by an attorney in the name of the court administrator, or, in cases involving a non-indictable offense, by a law enforcement officer or other authorized person. The subpoena shall be in the form approved by the Administrative Director of the Courts. In cases involving non-indictable offenses, the law enforcement officer may issue subpoenas to testify in the form prescribed by the Administrative Director of the Courts. Courts having jurisdiction over such offenses, the Division of State Police, the Motor Vehicle Commission, and any other agency so authorized by the Administrative Director of the Courts may supply subpoena forms to law enforcement officers.

  • (b) Subpoena to Testify. A subpoena to testify shall state the name of the municipal court and the title of the action. It shall contain the appropriate case docket number and shall command each natural person or authorized agent of an entity to whom it is directed to attend and give testimony at a specific time and date when the court will be in session. The subpoena may also specify that the specific time and date to attend court will be established at a later time by the court. If the witness is to testify in an action for the State or for an indigent defendant, the subpoena shall so note and shall contain an order to appear without the prepayment of any witness fee as otherwise required under N.J.S.A. 22A:1-4.

  • (c) Subpoena to Produce Documents or Electronically Stored Information. A subpoena may require the production of books, papers, documents, electronically stored information or other items on the date of the scheduled court appearance. The court may enter a supplemental order directing that the items designated in the subpoena be produced in court at a time prior to the scheduled court appearance or at another location. The order of the court may also specify that the designated items may, upon their production, be inspected by the parties and their attorneys.

  • (d) Investigative Subpoenas in Operating While Under the Influence Cases. When the State demonstrates to the court through sworn testimony and/or supporting documentation that there is a reasonable basis to believe that a person has operated a motor vehicle in violation of N.J.S.A. 39:4-50 or N.J.S.A. 39:3-10.13, a vessel in violation of N.J.S.A. 12:7-46, or an aircraft in violation of N.J.S.A. 6:1-18, a municipal court judge with jurisdiction over the municipality where the alleged offense occurred may issue an investigative subpoena directing an authorized agent of a medical facility located in New Jersey to produce medical records related to the presence of alcohol, narcotics, hallucinogens, habit-producing drugs or chemical inhalants in the operator's body. If no case is pending, the subpoena may be captioned "In the Matter" under investigation.

  • (e) Personal Service. A subpoena may be served at any place within the State of New Jersey by any person 18 or more years of age. Service of a subpoena shall be made by personally delivering a copy to the person named, together with the fee allowed by law, except that if the person is a witness in an action for the State or an indigent defendant, the fee shall be paid before leaving the court at the conclusion of the trial by the municipal court administrator as otherwise required by N.J.S.A. 22A:1-4. After service of a subpoena, the person serving the subpoena shall promptly file a copy of the subpoena and proof of service with the court.

  • (f) Continuing Duty to Appear. A witness who has been personally served with a subpoena shall remain under a continuing obligation to appear until released by the court.

  • (g) Failure to Appear. In the absence of an adequate excuse, any person who fails to obey a personally served subpoena, as evidenced by an executed return of service, is subject to punishment for contempt of court. The court may issue a warrant for the arrest of the person subject to contempt as authorized by N.J.S.A. 2A:10-8.

  • (h) Motion to Quash. The court, on motion made prior to the scheduled court date, may quash or modify a subpoena to testify or a subpoena to produce writings or electronically stored information if compliance would be unreasonable, oppressive or not in compliance with the procedures required under this rule.

Note: Source - R. (1969) 7:3-3. Adopted October 6, 1997 to be effective February 1, 1998; caption amended, former text deleted, captions and text for new paragraphs (a) through (h) adopted July 16, 2009 to be effective September 1, 2009.

7:7-9. Filing Appearance

The attorney for the defendant in an action before the municipal court shall immediately file an appearance with the municipal court administrator of the court having jurisdiction over the matter and shall serve a copy on the appropriate prosecuting attorney or other involved party, as identified by the municipal court administrator.

Note: Source-R. (1969) 3:8-1. Adopted October 6, 1997 to be effective February 1, 1998.

7:7-10. Joint Representation

No attorney or law firm shall enter an appearance for or represent more than one defendant in a multi-defendant trial or enter a plea for any defendant without first securing the court's permission by motion made in the presence of the defendants who seek joint representation. The motion shall be made as early as practicable in the proceedings in order to avoid delay of the trial. For good cause shown, the court may allow the motion to be brought at any time.

Note: Source-R. (1969) 3:8-2. Adopted October 6, 1997 to be effective February 1, 1998.

7:7-11. Use of Acting Judges Pursuant to Standing Assignment Judge Order

  • (a) Asto any pretrial application made when court is not in session for the issuance of a telephonicarrestwarrant, R.7:2-1(e); for the issuance of a Temporary RestrainingOrder (TRO), R. 5:7A; for the issuance of a search warrant, R. 3:5-3(a)orR. 7:5-1(a); or for the setting of bail, R. 3:26-2(a) and R. 7:4-2(a), if nojudge of that court is able to hear the application,anactingjudgemay be contacted pursuant to a standing order entered by the Assignment Judge that prescribes the sequence in which resort is made to any such acting judges.

  • (b) An acting judge handling an application pursuant toparagraph(a)ofthis ruleshouldmake a record of the reason the application is not being handledbythe court to which the application was first submitted.
Note: Adopted July 21, 2011 to be effective September 1, 2011.
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