Municipal Court

Hazlet Municipal Court
Welcome To Hazlet Township Municipal Court

We are dedicated to serving the general public and our diverse community with respect, courtesy and sensitivity. We are here to deliver court services with equality and fairness.  In order to create public trust and confidence, we honor the integrity of each individual while recognizing the necessity of accountability.  

Our mission is to provide a forum for fair and efficient adjudication of all matters brought before the Hazlet Municipal Court. We are responsible for processing all motor vehicle tickets within the jurisdiction of Hazlet as well as all township ordinances, disorderly and petty disorderly person offenses, Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, Weights and Measures, Fish and Game, Solid Waste and Forest and Parks complaints. 

New Online Municipal Case Resolution
No Court Appearance Required 

The state has launched a new online payment system that allows a user to dispute certain traffic offenses without having to appear virtually via ZOOM. You can use this system by going to NJMCdirect

If your matter is not eligible for Online Case Resolution, you can still request to have certain tickets heard virtually in the Hazlet Municipal Court. The Municipal Court will mail you a court notice with the date and time of your virtual court appearance. You will receive  ZOOM instructions the week before your scheduled court date.  

If you have any further questions about your case please feel free to reach out to the Hazlet Municipal Court at 732-264-2231.  

For your convenience, there is a drop box located in the lobby of the police station, which is available 24 hours a day. Check or money order please. 

Zoom Information
Please log on 15 minutes prior to your scheduled time. Kindly keep your microphone on mute until Judge Pugliese calls your name. Prior to your virtual court session, if the Chief Public Defender Raymond Raya is representing you, he may be reached at rraya@rayalaw.com  If you would like to discuss a plea agreement you may reach out to the Chief Prosecutor Sean Kean at skean@cgajlaw.com

All court sessions are held Virtually on Mondays at 1:30 pm.  

Beginning January 10, 2022, please use this Zoom link for access. 

Join Zoom Meeting  
https://zoom.us/j/92121388001?pwd=dnVMMTQvajJYS0FOa3M3cEd5WGNEUT09

Hazlet Municipal Court Adjournment Policy
Any case less than 30 days from the issue date will receive ONE adjournment for any reason with supporting documents.

Cases between 30 and 60 days old MUST submit their adjournment request in writing accompanied by supporting documents at least 7 days prior to the scheduled court date if there is an involved party, 4 days prior if not. No adjournments will be granted during the week of the scheduled court session, with the exception of emergent requests.

If there are discovery issues for any cases 30 days or older from the date of issue your requests must be made to Judge Pugliese during a scheduled court session.

Emergent requests due to illness, accident or other unanticipated events shall be granted only if supporting proofs are supplied to the court.

Adjournments are not to be considered granted unless confirmed with court staff.

THIS POLICY WILL BE STRICTLY ENFORCED AS THE ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE OF THE COURTS REQUIRES A 60 DAY DISPOSITION OF ANY CASE FROM THE ISSUE DATE

Pro se--Litigants or parties representing themselves in court without the assistance of an attorney

To obtain local discovery for your case, a letter must be brought to the municipal court to be stamped received and then brought to the records department located in the police lobby. If your ticket was issued by the State Police you may obtain discovery by submitting a letter to the municipal court to the Attention of the Municipal Prosecutor.

Citizen Complaints

A Complaint Form is available to anyone wishing to file a private citizen complaint. All complaints are accepted for filing and are then reviewed for the finding of Probable Cause.

Weddings

If you wish to be married by the Honorable Judge Michael D. Pugliese, before contacting the court please visit the Hazlet Township Registrar's page. 

Interpreter

If you need the service of an interpreter, please contact the Hazlet Municipal Court a week prior to your court appearance.

Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)

Please advise the municipal court staff in advance if you require ADA accommodation.

Mediation

Mediation is a confidential, structured and a non-adversarial process that allows a neutral third party to assist disputing parties in reaching a mutually acceptable solution. The mediation process can be a less expensive, informal, and have a more meaningful alternative than the traditional trial process. This is because of the efforts of trained volunteers and the resolution being decided by the participants. Judge Pugliese will refer appropriate cases to mediation.

Helpful Resources

  1. Notice - Dismissal of Nearly 300K Old Municipal Court Matters - As Signed - dated 05-24-21