Online Dispute Resolution:

The public can now ask the municipal prosecutor to review their traffic matters and may be able to resolve their case without having to appear in person, under a recent change to municipal court operations in New Jersey.  

The Judiciary’s Online Dispute Resolution (ODR) program, which started in mid-May in approximately 30 municipal courts, allows court users to dispute a charge and provide information or evidence to municipal prosecutors online. The ODR program applies to 37 traffic offenses, such as speeding, failure to have an insurance card, or failure to yield, where defendants commonly provide additional documentation and seek a reduced charge before pleading guilty.

Court users can make their requests for review to the municipal prosecutor through NJMC Direct webpage (www.NJMCdirect.com or www.NJcourts.gov ). After reviewing the case, the prosecutor can offer a lesser charge or decline to change the charge.   

If a lesser charge is accepted, the matter will be reviewed by a judge for approval. If approved, the defendant does not need to go to court. 

If the prosecutor declines to offer a lesser charge, or the judge does not approve the new charge, a hearing date is scheduled for the defendant to appear remotely.