The Third Municipal District is organized by courtrooms, key dates, judicial assignments and standing orders. Under the “key date” system, each municipality is assigned certain day(s) of the month for its cases. The key date system allows police officers and other enforcement officials to attend court on a regular basis and still be able to carry out their other duties away from court. The judges assigned to these courtrooms rotate as assigned by the Presiding Judge.
Criminal felony cases and preliminary felony hearings are heard exclusively in three courtrooms by three assigned judges. Misdemeanor jury trials are heard on an assigned basis. Misdemeanor motions are heard on weekdays by an assigned judge in one courtroom. A fifth courtroom hears only domestic violence matters, misdemeanor prosecutions, and civil orders of protection.
Civil cases are heard by assigned judges in three specific courtrooms (two jury rooms, Courtrooms 204, 205 and one non-jury, Courtroom 206). Eviction cases are heard one day of the week (currently Thursdays by standing order) in the three civil courtrooms. Small claims by pro se litigants are heard on Fridays in Courtroom 206.
Domestic relations cases are heard in two dedicated courtrooms by two assigned judges of the Domestic Relations Division.
Juvenile matters are heard Tuesdays, lower level Courtroom 030 at 9 a.m. as assigned by the Justice and Child Protection Division.
Additional information regarding courtroom assignments and locations can be found below.
Criminal Cases
- Courtroom 108 Felony Preliminary Hearings, First Appearance Court for Misdemeanor Offenses, and First Appearance Court for Felony Offenses. Violations are heard on Wednesday. Court Calls are 9 a.m., 10:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.
- Courtroom 109 Felony Call at 9:30 a.m. Arraignments, motions, hearings, trials. Violations are heard on Thursdays.
- Drug Court is heard on the 1st & 3rd Tuesday of each month at 1:30 p.m.
- Courtroom 110 Felony Call at 9:30 a.m. Arraignments, motions, hearings, trials. Violations are heard on Fridays.
- Post Conviction Petitions are heard on the 2nd, 3rd, & 4th Friday of each month. Status at 9 a.m., Hearings set at 1:30 p.m.
- Courtroom 208 Felony-Mental Health Veterans Call 2nd and 4th Tuesday of the month at 9:30 am.
Traffic and Misdemeanor Cases
Court calls are 9 a.m., 10:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.
- Courtroom 101 Misdemeanor
- Courtroom 102 Misdemeanor
- Courtroom 103 Misdemeanor & Violation Calls
- Courtroom 104 Misdemeanor & Violation Calls
- Courtroom 107 Daily Misdemeanor Motion Call, Jury Call
- Courtroom 201 Traffic and Ordinance Violations
- Courtroom 202 Traffic and Ordinance Violations
- Courtroom 203 Misdemeanor, Traffic and Ordinance Violations
- Courtroom 208 Expungements 1st Friday of every month at 9:30 a.m.
- Courtroom 209 Misdemeanor, Traffic and Ordinance Violations
- Courtroom 210 Misdemeanor, Traffic and Ordinance Violations
Civil Cases
Regular Call and Motion Call are at 9 a.m.
All other matters are as scheduled.
- Courtroom 204 All Civil Actions including Law Division, Municipal Department
- Courtroom 205 All Civil Actions including Law Division, Municipal Department
- Courtroom 206 Civil and Miscellaneous Remedies Including Small Claims, Pro-Se Small Claims, Name Changes, Forcible Entry and Detainer (evictions) and Post Judgement Proceedings
- Courtroom 208 Parentage Monday, Wednesday and Thursday scheduled at 9 a.m.
Domestic Relations Cases
- Courtroom 105 Dissolution of Marriage and Civil Union, Child Support, Custody and Visitation
- Courtroom 106 Dissolution of Marriage and Civil Union, Child Support, Custody and Visitation
Parentage and Child Support
Parentage cases are heard in Child Support Court in Courtroom 208 every Monday, Wednesday and Thursday unless set specifically by a judge.
Review the Court's Standing Order.
Domestic Violence Cases
Courtroom 207 Domestic Violence Regular call and Initial Orders or Protection at 9:30 a.m.
Returns on Orders of Protection Monday-Friday at 1:30 p.m.
Orders of Protection
Civil orders of protection are heard in Courtroom 207 at 9 a.m., 10:30 a.m., 1:30 p.m., 2:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m.
Advocates from the ”Between Friends” social service agency are available daily from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. to assist in preparing petitions for orders of protection. The advocates are located on the lower level of the Third Municipal District courthouse.
Juvenile Justice Cases
Courtroom 030 Juvenile matters
Regular call is every Tuesday at 9 a.m.
Evictions
Eviction cases (forcible entry and detainer) are heard in the three civil courtrooms as follows:
- Courtroom 204, Thursday
- Courtroom 205, Thursday
- Courtroom 206, Thursday