Lebanon Township is a wooded, hilly community of 6,195 people (2020 census) covering about 31.7 square miles of northern Hunterdon County. It includes the villages of Woodglen and Penwell, borders Morris and Warren Counties, and contains much of Voorhees State Park and the scenic Ken Lockwood Gorge along the South Branch of the Raritan River. The Columbia Trail crosses the township on its way from High Bridge to Morris County.
Lebanon Township (highlighted) within Hunterdon County. Indictable cases from every town are heard at the Justice Center in Flemington (star). Map data: NJ Office of GIS.
Lebanon Township is a different municipality from Lebanon Borough, which sits about ten miles southeast on Route 22. Charges written in the township by the Lebanon Township Police Department are heard by the Lebanon Township Municipal Court, which meets in the Clinton Township Municipal Building at 1370 Route 31 North in Annandale.
Lebanon Township Municipal Court at a Glance
- Location: Clinton Township Municipal Building, 1370 Route 31 North, Annandale, NJ 08801
- Phone: 908-735-3730
- Also meeting in this building: Clinton Township, Town of Clinton, Hampton Borough, High Bridge, Union Township
- Local police: Lebanon Township Police Department
- Indictable crimes: Superior Court, Hunterdon County Justice Center, 65 Park Avenue, Flemington
Where Lebanon Township cases are heard. Confirm the date, time and format on your court notice.
Township or Borough? A Common Mix-Up
Because both towns use the name Lebanon, defendants sometimes contact the wrong court. Lebanon Township’s court meets in Annandale. Lebanon Borough’s court meets in Asbury, at the Bethlehem Township Municipal Building. If you are unsure, check the municipality and court code on your complaint or ticket. Missing a court date can lead to a bench warrant and license suspension, so it is worth confirming early.
Charges From Parks, Trails and Back Roads
Lebanon Township’s state park land and country roads produce a distinctive mix of cases:
- DWI on rural roads such as Route 513 and Route 31, often after a single-vehicle accident
- Disorderly conduct in parks and along the river
- Hunting and fishing violations, some of which carry criminal penalties
- Weapons charges involving improperly transported firearms
- Trespassing on private or restricted land
Firearm transport rules in New Jersey are strict. A legally owned rifle or shotgun must be unloaded and properly cased or secured during transport between home and permitted locations. A mistake can lead to an indictable charge heard in Flemington. See our weapons offenses page.
Lebanon Township population by census, 1980 to 2020. Source: U.S. Census Bureau via NJ Office of GIS.
Lebanon Township’s population grew from 5,459 in 1980 to a peak of 6,588 in 2010, then fell to 6,195 in 2020. Much of the township is preserved land, state park and steep terrain, which limits new development. Its back roads and parks bring visitors, hunters and anglers, especially in spring and fall.
Cases That Move to the Justice Center
Indictable crimes from Lebanon Township, including drug possession, burglary, theft over $200 and most weapons offenses, are forwarded to the Hunterdon County Prosecutor’s Office and heard at the Justice Center, 65 Park Avenue, Flemington. If the prosecutor decides a charge is better handled as a lesser offense, it may be downgraded and sent back to the Lebanon Township court.
Avoiding a Conviction
Conditional discharge, conditional dismissal and Pretrial Intervention can each end in a dismissal for eligible first-time defendants. For DWI, which has no diversion program, the defense focuses on the facts: the reason for the stop, the conduct of field sobriety tests on uneven rural roads, and the Alcotest procedures.
Hunting, Fishing and Fish and Game Charges
Lebanon Township’s state land, trout streams and hunting areas bring many people into contact with conservation officers. Most fish and game violations, such as fishing without a license or hunting outside the permitted season, are civil or quasi-criminal offenses with fines. Some, however, overlap with the criminal code.
Hunting while intoxicated, shooting near occupied buildings, and transporting a loaded firearm in a vehicle can all lead to more serious consequences, including loss of hunting privileges and, in some cases, weapons charges heard in Flemington. A conviction can also affect a Firearms Purchaser Identification Card. If you received a summons from a conservation officer, read it carefully: the statute listed tells you whether the case is a fine-only matter or a charge that can create a record.
What Is at Stake: Penalties by Offense Level
- Petty disorderly persons offense: up to 30 days in jail and a $500 fine
- Disorderly persons offense: up to 6 months in jail and a $1,000 fine
- Fourth-degree crime: up to 18 months in prison
- Third-degree crime: 3 to 5 years
- Second-degree crime: 5 to 10 years
- First-degree crime: 10 to 20 years, and longer for some offenses
Maximum jail exposure rises sharply once a charge becomes an indictable crime.
How We Approach a Lebanon Township Case
Lebanon Township cases often involve outdoor activities, rural roads or firearms, so we start by understanding exactly what happened and where. We gather the police report, any body camera footage and, in weapons cases, details about how the firearm was transported.
For DWI cases on rural roads, we look closely at the field sobriety tests and the Alcotest procedures. For weapons and hunting cases, we work with the prosecutor to seek a downgrade, PTI or dismissal where the facts support it. For first-time disorderly persons offenses, we pursue diversion programs that end in dismissal.
Nearby Hunterdon County Town Guides
If your charge was written in a neighboring town, that town’s guide explains where the case will be heard and what to expect.
- Heard in the same court building: Clinton Township, Town of Clinton, Union Township, High Bridge, Hampton
- Neighboring towns: Califon, Glen Gardner, Tewksbury Township
- Every town: Hunterdon County town guide index
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Lebanon Township Municipal Court?
It meets at the Clinton Township Municipal Building, 1370 Route 31 North, Annandale, NJ 08801. The phone number is 908-735-3730.
Is Lebanon Township the same as Lebanon Borough?
No. They are separate municipalities with separate courts. Lebanon Borough’s court meets in Asbury at the Bethlehem Township Municipal Building.
I was charged while transporting a hunting rifle. Is that serious?
It can be. Improper transport can lead to an unlawful possession charge, which may be indictable. Some cases can be resolved with a downgrade or PTI, but you should get advice before talking to investigators.
What happens if I miss my Lebanon Township court date?
The court may issue a bench warrant or suspend your license. Contact the court or a lawyer right away to reschedule.
Does Lebanon Township have its own police department?
Yes. The Lebanon Township Police Department patrols the township.
Is Voorhees State Park in Lebanon Township?
Much of the park is in Lebanon Township, near Glen Gardner and High Bridge. The ticket will name the municipality.
Talk to a Hunterdon County Defense Attorney
Whether your case began on a back road or in a state park, Keith Oliver Criminal Law can help. We defend people charged in Lebanon Township and across Hunterdon County. Call Keith Oliver Criminal Law at (908) 533-1064 or contact us online to talk about your case.