Passaic County Superior Court

How Avery & Avery Practices Here

A Former Judge. A Father-Son Trial Firm. Fifty Years of New Jersey Practice.

This is the Avery & Avery reference page for Passaic County Superior Court — Court House, Paterson. If you have a matter scheduled here, call (201) 943-2445 for a free first consultation.

Passaic County Superior Court at the Paterson complex serves Passaic’s 16 municipalities — Paterson, Clifton, Passaic City, Wayne, and the Wayne/Hawthorne corridor.

Passaic Vicinage publishes the daily calendar via the vicinage portal; criminal motion days are typically Wednesday and Friday.

Address and contact

• Name: Passaic County Superior Court
• Address: 77 Hamilton Street, Paterson, NJ 07505
• Phone: (973) 247-8000
• Vicinage: Passaic Vicinage (Vicinage 11)
• Divisions: Civil, Criminal, Family, Chancery

What this courthouse hears

Passaic County Superior Court is a Superior court. It hears indictable criminal matters, contested civil disputes over $20,000, divorces and custody disputes, chancery equity, Special Civil Part landlord-tenant matters, and probate contests.

How matters are routed here

For indictable matters arising in the Passaic (Vicinage 11) jurisdiction, defense filings, motions, and appearances all proceed at this courthouse complex.

Trial-de-novo appeals from municipal-court convictions in the vicinage proceed to this Superior Court Law Division.

Notes from our practice

Avery & Avery, Esqs. appears at this courthouse regularly. Robert W. Avery’s fifteen years on the Ridgefield Municipal Court bench (1986-2000) provide the judicial perspective that informs defense strategy at Passaic County courts.

John S. Avery handles the firm’s trial-level appearances. Same-day callbacks on active matters. Call (201) 943-2445.

Practical tips for appearances

The Paterson Superior Court sits at 77 Hamilton Street. Public parking at the Hamilton Street garage; metered street parking turns over within 90 minutes during business hours.

• Photo ID at security; no entry without it. Plan ahead — this stops more first-time appearances than any other reason.
• Triple the document set. Pre-marked tabs, three copies. Tabs save the courtroom 5-10 minutes when the matter is moving fast.
• Phones go silent or get collected. Each municipal court has a different policy. The deputy at the entry desk gives the day’s instruction.
• Buffer the calendar — at least 30 minutes early. Settlement-room negotiations frequently run before the formal call; presence early matters.
• Parking — paid lots over street. Adjacent meters are heavily ticketed; the dedicated garage at $5-10 is the lower-friction choice.
• Confirm calendar via njcourts.gov or vicinage portal the night before. Calendar positions shift more than people expect.
• Business-or-business-casual attire. Judges, prosecutors, and clerks notice; in close-call matters that visual signal contributes.

Surrounding court complex

This courthouse sits within a multi-building NJ judicial complex that typically includes:

• The Superior Court itself (this entry)
• The Passaic County Surrogate’s Court — uncontested probate, executor qualification, minor guardianship
• The Passaic County Prosecutor’s Office — indictable charge prosecution; PTI applications under N.J.S.A. 2C:43-12
• The Passaic County Sheriff’s Office — service of process, courthouse security
• The Passaic County Clerk’s Office — civil filings, judgment search, recording

Cross-courthouse moves between these offices are routine on a single appearance day.

What to expect after a hearing

Most NJ courts issue an order on the bench at hearing’s end; the written order follows by mail or email within several business days. The order’s effective date is typically the bench-ruling date unless the order specifies otherwise. Appeals run to the next level (Superior Court Law Division for municipal appeals; Appellate Division for Superior Court rulings) on the calendar set by Court Rule.

Recurring procedural questions

Filing fees

NJ Superior Court filing fees follow R. 1:43. Recent schedule:

• Civil complaint (over $15K): $250
• Special Civil Part complaint (≤$20K): $50–$75
• Notice of motion: $50
• Appeal to the Appellate Division: $250

Municipal courts collect statutory fines and a $33 standard court-cost charge per offense under R. 7:2-2 and the related cost statutes.

Continuances

A first continuance is generally granted on consent or for good cause shown. Subsequent continuances face stricter scrutiny. Speedy-trial concerns apply under R. 7:8-5 for municipal-court criminal matters; the 180-day rule under the IADA reaches detainers.

Recording courtroom proceedings

NJ Superior Court proceedings are recorded by certified court reporter or digital audio. Transcripts run roughly $4–$6 per page through the vicinage transcript office (rush rates higher). Municipal-court proceedings are recorded by digital audio under the AOC standardized system; audio CD copies typically run $25.

Pro hac vice admission

Out-of-state attorneys appearing in NJ Superior Court apply for pro hac vice admission under R. 1:21-2 — local NJ counsel sponsor, filing fee, and a current certificate of good standing from the home jurisdiction.

Related practice resources

• Passaic County Lawyer
• DWI Practice
• Criminal Defense Practice
• Traffic Practice
• Personal Injury Practice
• About Avery & Avery
• Robert W. Avery, Esq.
• John S. Avery, Esq.

Schedule a Free Consultation

Call (201) 943-2445 or submit through the form.