What happens when you are charged with a traffic offense and indicatable offense?
In the past, if a defendant had been charged with traffic offenses and an indictable criminal offense, in most cases, the charges would be heard in two different courts. First, the defendant would be facing the indictable criminal charges in the Superior Court. criminal division Upon resolution, the traffic offenses would be sent back to a municipal court for disposition, thus requiring the New Jersey defendant to appear in two separate and distinct courts.
Recently, the AOC issued a directive that outlines the procedure and instructs the New Jersey Superior Court to resolve both the criminal charges and traffic offenses in the same proceeding. The practically of this directive is that if you are charged with driving under the influence (39:4-50,DWI/DUI), reckless driving (N.J.S.A. 39:4-96), speeding (N.J.S. 39:4-98), careless driving (39:4-97), and possession of a pound of marijuana (2c charge) then the Superior Court in the county where the offense originated will hear over ALL charges.
If you have been charges with a criminal offense that arises out of a motor vehicle stop, give Dan T. Matrafajlo a call for a free office consultation to discuss your rights.