Somerset County Courthouse Guide: What to Expect in Somerville Criminal Court

If you or someone close to you has a criminal court date in Somerset County, you will most likely be going to downtown Somerville, the county seat. Every indictable case in the county, from a fourth degree shoplifting charge to a first degree offense, is handled at the Somerset County Court House on North Bridge Street. This guide explains where to go, where to park for free, what to expect at security and in the courtroom, and how the first stages of a criminal case work in Somerset County.

Somerset County Court and Justice Buildings at a Glance

The court buildings, the Prosecutor’s Office, the county Administration Building and the parking deck are all within a few blocks of each other in downtown Somerville, so once you park, everything is walkable.

Which Court Is My Case In?

The type of charge decides where your case is heard. Your summons, complaint or court notice lists the court, so check it first.

Municipal court cases

Disorderly persons offenses, petty disorderly persons offenses, DWI and traffic tickets are heard in the municipal court of the town where the charge was written, not at the county courthouse. A charge written by Bridgewater police goes to the Bridgewater Municipal Court, a DWI stop in Hillsborough goes to the Hillsborough Municipal Court, and a disorderly conduct charge in the borough goes to the Somerville Municipal Court. A conviction in municipal court is still a criminal record, so these cases deserve real attention.

Superior Court cases

Indictable crimes, which New Jersey grades from first degree (most serious) to fourth degree, are prosecuted by the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office and heard in the Criminal Division at 20 North Bridge Street. These cases can go to a grand jury and carry the possibility of state prison. Our page on the Somerset County Superior Court walks through each stage of a felony case.

Family Part cases

Domestic violence restraining order hearings and juvenile delinquency cases are handled by the Family Part of the Superior Court, which also sits in Somerville. A single domestic violence incident can produce two cases: a restraining order case in the Family Part and a criminal charge in municipal or Superior Court. Your notice will tell you exactly where to report.

Getting There: Free Parking and Transit

Free parking at the Bernie Field Parking Deck

Somerset County provides free parking for visitors to the courthouse and nearby county buildings at the Bernie Field Parking Deck, 68 East High Street, near the corner of Grove Street. Park on levels 2 through 6. The entrance to the county Administration Building is on the green (2nd) level, and the courthouse is a short walk away. Metered street parking downtown is limited and has short time limits that may not cover a long court day, so the deck is usually the better choice.

Driving directions

From the north, take Interstate 287 South to Exit 17, then Route 22 East. Just after the second overpass, turn right onto Grove Street, turn left onto East High Street at the second traffic light, and the deck entrance is half a block up on the right. From the south via Route 206 North, turn right onto Bridge Street in Somerville, right onto East Main Street, left onto Grove Street and right onto East High Street.

Public transportation

Somerville station on NJ Transit’s Raritan Valley Line sits just south of downtown, within walking distance of the courthouse area. Allow extra time for the walk and for security.

Security Screening and What to Leave at Home

Every visitor goes through airport-style screening with a metal detector and bag check, and lines can build up just before morning sessions start.

• Do not bring knives of any size, pepper spray, scissors, tools or anything that could be considered a weapon. Prohibited items may be confiscated, or you may have to return them to your car and get back in line.
• Silence your phone before entering a courtroom. Photographs and recordings are not allowed in courtrooms without the court’s permission.
• Bring your court notice, a photo ID and any paperwork your lawyer asked for, such as proof of community service, counseling or a valid license.

What Happens at a First Appearance and Detention Hearing

Summons vs. warrant

After an arrest, police either issue a complaint-summons, which releases you with a court date, or file a complaint-warrant, which means you are held until a judge reviews your case. New Jersey eliminated cash bail for most cases in 2017. A pretrial risk assessment is prepared, and most people are released with conditions.

The first appearance

If you are held on a warrant, you should see a judge within about 48 hours. The judge reviews the charges, makes sure you have a lawyer and sets release conditions. A lawyer at this stage can argue for less restrictive conditions right away.

The detention hearing

If the prosecutor files a motion to keep you in jail until trial, a detention hearing is generally held within a few days. The judge decides whether any release conditions would be enough to make sure you come back to court and to protect the public. This hearing shapes the rest of the case, so preparation matters. Read more in our guide to first appearances and detention hearings in Somerset County.

If there is a warrant out for you

Do not wait to be picked up. A lawyer can often arrange for you to address a bench warrant or complaint-warrant in a controlled way. See our page on Somerset County warrants and how to clear them.

Your Court Day, Step by Step

1. Confirm the details the day before. Check the date, time and courtroom on your notice. Some proceedings are held virtually, and your notice or your lawyer will tell you if yours is.
2. Arrive 30 to 45 minutes early. Allow time to park in the deck, walk over and get through security.
3. Go to the right floor. The Criminal Division is on the 5th floor of the courthouse at 20 North Bridge Street. Court staff and building directories can point you to your courtroom.
4. Meet your lawyer before your case is called. Many cases are resolved, adjourned or narrowed in conversations with the prosecutor before the judge takes the bench.
5. Wait for your case to be called. You may be there for several hours. Keep your phone silenced and put away inside the courtroom.
6. Leave with clear next steps. Make sure you know your next court date and any conditions you must follow.

How to dress and act in the courtroom

Dress as you would for a job interview: clean, conservative clothing, no hats, and nothing with slogans or images. Stand when the judge enters and when you speak to the court, address the judge as “Your Honor,” and let your lawyer do the talking unless the judge asks you a question directly. Never discuss your case in the hallways, where witnesses, alleged victims or officers may be nearby.

If Someone You Know Is in Custody

People arrested in Somerset County are booked and processed at the Somerset County Jail at 40 Grove Street in Somerville. Under a shared services arrangement, people who are held for longer periods are generally housed at the Morris County Correctional Facility in Morristown, so a family member may not be held in Somerville for long.

• Release. Because New Jersey rarely uses cash bail, the key event is usually the first appearance or detention hearing. Getting a lawyer involved before that hearing is the most useful thing a family can do.
• Visits, calls and money. Rules depend on where the person is housed and change from time to time, so confirm with the facility before you go.

Our Somerset County Jail guide covers booking, the Morris County arrangement, phone calls and visits in more detail.

A Courthouse With a Famous Past

The domed courthouse on the Court House Green was built between 1907 and 1909 in the neoclassical style and is faced with marble. In 1926 it hosted the Hall–Mills murder trial, one of the most widely covered trials in the country at the time. The building is listed on both the New Jersey and National Registers of Historic Places. Day-to-day court business now takes place in the larger modern courthouse at 20 North Bridge Street, but the historic building and green remain the heart of downtown Somerville.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is the Somerset County Courthouse?

At 20 North Bridge Street in downtown Somerville. The Criminal Division is on the 5th floor.

Where do I park for the Somerset County Courthouse?

Use the Bernie Field Parking Deck at 68 East High Street, near Grove Street. Somerset County provides free parking there for visitors to the courthouse and nearby county buildings. Park on levels 2 through 6.

My case is a DWI or traffic ticket. Do I go to the county courthouse?

Usually not. DWI and traffic cases are heard in the municipal court of the town where you were stopped, such as Somerville, Bridgewater, Hillsborough or Franklin. Your ticket lists the court.

Where are people held after an arrest in Somerset County?

They are processed at the Somerset County Jail at 40 Grove Street in Somerville. People held for longer periods are generally housed at the Morris County Correctional Facility in Morristown under a shared services arrangement.

Do I have to go to court if I have a lawyer?

In Superior Court, defendants generally must appear unless the judge excuses them. In municipal court, a lawyer can sometimes appear without you for certain proceedings. Ask your lawyer before assuming you can skip a date, because missing court can lead to a bench warrant.

How long will I be at court?

Plan for at least a half day. Cases are often called as lawyers become ready, so even a short appearance can mean hours of waiting.

Can I watch a court proceeding?

Most criminal proceedings are open to the public. Family Part matters, including juvenile cases and many domestic violence hearings, are generally closed.