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

Charged with a criminal offense in Clifton? Whether you’re facing a disorderly persons matter in Clifton Municipal Court or an indictable charge bound for Passaic County Superior Court (Paterson), the stakes are real. A conviction can mean jail time, a permanent record, and lost employment opportunities. Avery & Avery, Esqs. has defended Passaic County residents on criminal matters since 1976. Clifton (2020 population 90,309, ZIP 07011) uses Clifton Municipal Court at 900 Clifton Ave for disorderly persons matters, with indictables routing to Passaic County Superior Court (Paterson). Call (201) 943-2445 for a free consultation.

How Criminal Charges Route Through the Courts in Clifton

Disorderly persons offenses in Clifton — simple assault, harassment, shoplifting, first-offense drug possession — are heard in Clifton Municipal Court at 900 Clifton Ave (phone (973) 470-5860), which convenes MONDAY TO FRIDAY. Indictable charges (third-degree felonies and above) transfer to Passaic County Superior Court (Paterson), Passaic County Court House, 77 Hamilton Street, Paterson, NJ 07505. There, the Passaic County Prosecutor’s Office takes over, and Pretrial Intervention (N.J.S.A. 2C:43-12) becomes a critical negotiating tool for first-time defendants. Conditional Discharge for first-offense CDS possession (N.J.S.A. 2C:36A-1) remains available at the municipal level.

Clifton Municipal Court

Address: 900 Clifton Ave
Phone: (973) 470-5860
Court days: MONDAY TO FRIDAY
Office hours: 8:15AM - 4:00PM

Passaic County Superior Court (Paterson)

Address: Passaic County Court House, 77 Hamilton Street, Paterson, NJ 07505
Phone: (973) 247-8000
Vicinage: Passaic Vicinage (Vicinage 11)

What the Law Says: Criminal Defense Statutes in Clifton

Criminal defense in Clifton operates under the New Jersey Code of Criminal Justice:

N.J.S.A. 2C:1-1 et seq. — the NJ Code: defines crimes, degrees, and penalties
N.J.S.A. 2C:43-12 — Pretrial Intervention (PTI): diversion for first-time indictable defendants
State v. Hagans, 233 N.J. 30 (2018) — leading appellate authority on municipal criminal procedure

DP and PDP matters in Clifton stay in Clifton’s municipal court; indictable matters (third-degree and above) escalate to Passaic County Superior Court. PTI under N.J.S.A. 2C:43-12 runs through the prosecutor’s office and, if approved, defers prosecution for 12–36 months. Conditional Discharge for first-offense drug possession (N.J.S.A. 2C:36A-1) offers a parallel diversion path at the municipal level.

About Clifton, NJ

Clifton is a community in Passaic County, NJ. By the numbers:

2020 Census population: 90,309
Population density: 8,009.6 per sq mi
Land area: 11.3 sq mi
ZIP code: 07011
Mayor: Raymond Grabowski
Incorporated: April 26, 1917

Clifton Community Notes

Clifton had a 2020 Census population of 90,309 (Passaic County, NJ).
Population density 8,009.6 per sq mi (2020), land area 11.3 sq mi.
Clifton was incorporated April 26, 1917.

Why Avery & Avery for Clifton Criminal Defense

A judge’s perspective on your side. Robert W. Avery served fifteen years as Judge of the Ridgefield Municipal Court (1986–2000) before returning to defense practice. That tenure shapes how Avery & Avery evaluates Clifton cases — not just what the statutes say, but how municipal courts actually apply them.

John S. Avery: modern trial practice. John joined the firm in 2012 and handles active litigation across Passaic County. Together, the Averys offer a complementary team: deep judicial experience and current courtroom practice.

Same-day callbacks. Active arrest or approaching court date? Robert or John is reachable during business hours; voicemails returned same-day. Call (201) 943-2445.

Statewide reach. Delvoye v. Lee, 329 F.3d 330 (3d Cir. 2003) reflects the firm’s federal-court track record — relevant when Clifton matters intersect with federal jurisdiction.

Sister Passaic Cities We Cover

We routinely appear in Clifton’s neighboring Passaic County municipalities. See:

And the Passaic County Criminal Defense landing covers the full county.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where do Clifton Criminal Defense cases go?

Clifton Municipal Court for first-tier matters; Passaic County Superior Court (Paterson) for indictable / over-threshold matters.

How fast can you respond to a Clifton arrest / hearing?

Same-day callback during business hours; same-evening for arrests on weeknights. Call (201) 943-2445.

Do you handle other Passaic County practice areas?

Yes — see our Passaic County Lawyer page for the full practice list, and the practice tops at /practice-areas/criminal-defense/.

Schedule a Free Clifton Criminal Defense Consultation

If your Clifton criminal defense court date is approaching, don’t wait. Clifton Municipal Court typically hears matters MONDAY TO FRIDAY — and deadlines for motions, discovery, and diversion applications move fast. Avery & Avery, Esqs. provides same-day callbacks and can begin preparing your defense immediately. Call (201) 943-2445 or submit a consultation request below.

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