History of the Central Municipal Court

In 2020, Atlantic County Executive Dennis Levinson invited the county’s 23 municipalities to explore the feasibility of a countywide municipal court as a shared service initiative to reduce costs and duplication and provide tax relief to county residents.

State Senate President Steve Sweeney endorsed the concept and introduced legislation to establish a regional municipal court under the authority of county government. New Jersey Senate Bill S3049 and its companion, Assembly Bill A5176, were signed into law by Governor Phil Murphy on August 5, 2021.

The Central Municipal Court of Atlantic County opened in January 2022, the first regional court to be implemented in New Jersey as a result of this shared services legislation. The court currently operates five days a week, Monday through Friday, 8:30 am – 4:00 pm. Court is held in-person two days a week and virtually three days a week. In-person court procedures are being temporarily conducted in the Criminal Court Complex at 4997 Unami Boulevard in Mays Landing until the courtroom renovations are completed at the historic county court house at 5905 Main Street in Mays Landing.

Two committees were created with representatives of the participating municipalities to assist in the court’s operation and procedures. The Governance Committee is responsible for court operations and the preparation of an annual budget. The Personnel Committee determines court staffing and scheduling and provides salary recommendations.

Each of the two committees consists of three permanent members and additional two-year term rotating members.