Tewksbury Township is a rural, affluent community of 5,870 people (2020 census) on about 31.8 square miles in northeastern Hunterdon County. It includes the villages of Oldwick, Mountainville and Pottersville, and borders Somerset and Morris Counties. Interstate 78 crosses the township’s southern edge, and much of the rest is horse farms, preserved land and winding country roads.
Tewksbury 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.
Tewksbury has its own police department and municipal court. The Tewksbury Township Municipal Court meets at the Readington Township Municipal Building, 509 Route 523, Whitehouse Station, generally on the first, second and fourth Thursdays of the month.
Tewksbury Township Municipal Court at a Glance
- Location: Readington Township Municipal Building, 509 Route 523, Whitehouse Station, NJ 08889
- Phone: 908-534-2414
- Court sessions: 1st, 2nd and 4th Thursdays (check your notice; some dates are virtual)
- Also meeting in this building: Readington Township
- Local police: Tewksbury Township Police Department
- Indictable crimes: Superior Court, Hunterdon County Justice Center, 65 Park Avenue, Flemington
Where Tewksbury Township cases are heard. Confirm the date, time and format on your court notice.
A Shared Court in Whitehouse Station
Tewksbury’s court shares space with the Readington Township court. Even though both courts meet in the same building, they are separate courts with separate calendars. Make sure your notice names Tewksbury and check whether your appearance is virtual or in person.
Country Roads and Commuter Traffic
Tewksbury’s cases often come from its roads:
- DWI, often after a single-car accident or a stop on Route 517 or Route 523
- Speeding and reckless driving on winding roads
- Driving while suspended
- Possession of drugs or paraphernalia found during stops near I-78
Field sobriety tests given on a narrow, dark, sloped shoulder are less reliable than tests on flat pavement. That can be an important part of a DWI defense.
Juveniles and Young Adults
Tewksbury families are often dealing with charges against teenagers or college students: fake IDs, minor assaults, criminal mischief and incidents at parties where alcohol was provided to people under 21. Juvenile cases are heard in the Family Part at the Justice Center in Flemington, not municipal court, and they focus on rehabilitation. Many can be diverted without a formal adjudication. See our juvenile defense page.
Tewksbury Township population by census, 1980 to 2020. Source: U.S. Census Bureau via NJ Office of GIS.
Tewksbury’s population grew from 4,094 in 1980 to a peak of 5,993 in 2010, and was 5,870 in 2020. The township is largely rural and affluent, with large lots, horse farms and preserved land.
Indictable Charges From Tewksbury
Crimes of the fourth degree or higher are heard at the Hunterdon County Justice Center, 65 Park Avenue, Flemington. First-time defendants may apply for Pretrial Intervention, and charges may be downgraded and sent back to municipal court. Conditional discharge and conditional dismissal remain options for many first-time disorderly persons offenses.
Weekend Gatherings and Social Host Issues
Tewksbury’s large properties sometimes host parties where young people are present. Adults who provide alcohol to people under 21 can be charged under N.J.S.A. 2C:33-17, a disorderly persons offense. Parents and homeowners may also face civil liability if an intoxicated guest causes an accident or injury after leaving.
When police respond to a gathering, they may also investigate drug possession, disorderly conduct or assaults. For homeowners, the questions often include who supplied the alcohol, whether the homeowner knew, and what steps were taken. For young adults, the concern is usually avoiding a record that could affect college or employment. Both situations benefit from early legal advice.
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 Tewksbury Township Case
For Tewksbury cases, we start by gathering the police report and any dash or body camera footage, and reviewing whether the stop, search or arrest was lawful.
For DWI cases on country roads, we focus on the field sobriety tests and the Alcotest. For juvenile and young adult cases, we pursue diversion and confidentiality to protect future opportunities. For indictable charges, we work with the Hunterdon County Prosecutor’s Office in Flemington.
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: Readington Township
- Neighboring towns: Clinton Township, Lebanon Township, Califon
- Every town: Hunterdon County town guide index
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Tewksbury Municipal Court?
It meets at the Readington Township Municipal Building, 509 Route 523, Whitehouse Station, NJ 08889. The phone number is 908-534-2414.
Is Oldwick a separate town?
No. Oldwick is a village within Tewksbury Township.
My teenager was charged in Tewksbury. Which court handles it?
Juvenile delinquency cases are heard in the Family Part of Superior Court in Flemington, not municipal court.
Can a first DWI in Tewksbury be dismissed?
DWI cannot be resolved through diversion, but it can be dismissed or reduced if the stop, testing or evidence was flawed.
Does Tewksbury have its own police department?
Yes. The Tewksbury Township Police Department patrols the township.
Is Pottersville a separate town?
No. Pottersville is a village in Tewksbury Township, although part of it extends into Bedminster in Somerset County.
Talk to a Hunterdon County Defense Attorney
A charge in Tewksbury can affect your license, your career or your child’s future. Keith Oliver Criminal Law defends people charged in Tewksbury and across Hunterdon County, close to our Bridgewater office. Call Keith Oliver Criminal Law at (908) 533-1064 or contact us online to talk about your case.