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

When Hawthorne residents face a Criminal Defense matter, Avery & Avery, Esqs. provides counsel from initial consultation through disposition. The firm’s decades of Passaic County practice — anchored by Robert W. Avery’s fifteen years on the bench — inform every phase of representation.

For a free first consultation on a Hawthorne Criminal Defense matter, call (201) 943-2445.

How Hawthorne Criminal Defense Matters Route Through Court

Disorderly persons and petty disorderly persons offenses charged in Hawthorne stay in Hawthorne Boro Municipal Court. Indictable charges (third degree and above) route to Passaic County Superior Court — Criminal Division at Passaic County Court House, 77 Hamilton Street, Paterson, NJ 07505. Pretrial Intervention (PTI) applications go through the Passaic County Prosecutor’s Office. Conditional Discharge for first-offense drug possession remains available in municipal court.

Hawthorne Boro Municipal Court

Address: 445 Lafayette Ave
Phone: (973) 427-4767
Court days: THURSDAYS
Office hours: 9:00 - 4:00

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)

Statutory Framework

Criminal Defense matters in Hawthorne are controlled by:

N.J.S.A. 2C:1-1 et seq. — primary criminal defense statute
N.J.S.A. 2C:43-12 — companion / procedural authority
State v. Hagans, 233 N.J. 30 (2018) — leading NJ case-law

DP and PDP Hawthorne matters stay in Hawthorne Boro Municipal Court; indictable matters (third-degree and above) escalate to Passaic County Superior Court (Paterson). Pretrial Intervention (PTI) under N.J.S.A. 2C:43-12 runs through the Passaic County Prosecutor’s Office.

About Hawthorne, NJ

Hawthorne sits in Passaic County, NJ. Key facts:

Density: 5,917 per sq mi
Land area: 3.3 sq mi
2020 Census population: 19,636
ZIP codes: 07506, 07507
Mayor: John V. Lane
Incorporated: March 24, 1898
Named for: Nathaniel Hawthorne
Elevation: 85 ft

Hawthorne Local Context

Hawthorne was incorporated March 24, 1898.
Hawthorne is named for Nathaniel Hawthorne.
Current mayor: John V. Lane.

Why Hawthorne Criminal Defense Clients Hire Avery & Avery

Two generations of NJ trial practice. Robert W. Avery (admitted 1976) and John S. Avery (joined 2012) cover every stage of a Criminal Defense matter — from the first phone call through sentencing or civil disposition. The generational depth means Hawthorne clients get both decades of Passaic County courthouse familiarity and current-generation energy.

Former judge perspective. Robert’s fifteen years as Ridgefield Municipal Court Judge (1986-2000) inform how the firm reads calendars, anticipates prosecutor offers, and prepares defense strategy.

Reported federal case. Delvoye v. Lee, 329 F.3d 330 (3d Cir. 2003) — establishes the firm’s track record beyond purely state-court practice.

Sister Passaic Cities We Cover

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

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Where do Hawthorne Criminal Defense cases go?

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

How fast can you respond to a Hawthorne 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/.

Free First Consultation — Hawthorne Criminal Defense

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