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

With 159,759 residents in 8.4 square miles, Paterson is a community where disorderly persons charges — shoplifting, simple assault, possession of CDS — move quickly through Paterson Municipal Court. For Paterson defendants, the difference between a conditional discharge and a conviction often hinges on how well you know the court. Avery & Avery, Esqs. has appeared before Passaic County municipal and superior courts for fifty years. Robert W. Avery served as a municipal judge for fifteen years — he knows what these judges consider. Call (201) 943-2445 for a free first consultation.

Inside Paterson’s Criminal Court System

Paterson Municipal Court at 111 Broadw is the first stop for Paterson criminal defendants. It handles the everyday criminal docket: disorderly persons, petty disorderly, and municipal-ordinance violations. Sessions run MONDAY TO FRIDAY; office hours are 8:30 AM TO 4:00 PM. When a charge reaches the indictable level — third degree or above under N.J.S.A. 2C:1-1 et seq. — it moves to Passaic County Superior Court (Paterson), where the stakes rise sharply. Avery & Avery, Esqs. handles both tracks for Paterson defendants, with particular attention to PTI eligibility (N.J.S.A. 2C:43-12) and diversion options at the municipal level.

Paterson Municipal Court

Address: 111 Broadw
Phone: (973) 321-1515
Court days: MONDAY TO FRIDAY
Office hours: 8:30 AM TO 4:00 PM

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: The Legal Framework for Paterson Criminal Defense

Three anchors define criminal defense practice in Paterson:

N.J.S.A. 2C:1-1 et seq. — NJ Code of Criminal Justice (degrees, elements, penalties)
N.J.S.A. 2C:43-12 — Pretrial Intervention, the primary first-offense diversion track
State v. Hagans, 233 N.J. 30 (2018) — governing authority for municipal criminal matters

The NJ Code divides offenses by degree: petty disorderly (up to 30 days), disorderly persons (up to 6 months), fourth-degree through first-degree crimes (indictable, State Prison eligible). Knowing which tier your charge falls into determines your court, your potential exposure, and your diversion options. Avery & Avery, Esqs. navigates every tier for Paterson defendants.

About Paterson, NJ

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

2020 Census population: 159,759
Population density: 18,989.1 per sq mi
Land area: 8.4 sq mi
ZIP code: 07501
Mayor: Andre Sayegh
Incorporated: April 11, 1831 (as township)
Named for: William Paterson

Paterson Community Notes

Paterson ZIP codes: 07501, 07505, 07508, 07514, 07522, 07524, 07533, 07538, 07543, 07544.
Land area 8.41 sq mi (water 0.29 sq mi); elevation 112 ft.
Paterson sits in Passaic County, served by Passaic County Superior Court in Paterson; vicinage: Passaic Vicinage (Vicinage 11).

Why Avery & Avery for Paterson Criminal Defense

Fifty years of New Jersey practice — Robert W. Avery began in 1976. He spent fifteen of those years on the bench (Ridgefield Municipal Court, 1986–2000), which means he has seen these cases from both sides of the courtroom. That experience informs every defense strategy the firm develops for Paterson clients.

Father-son continuity. John S. Avery joined in 2012, giving the firm two active trial attorneys with overlapping but distinct skill sets. For Paterson clients, that means broader availability and deeper preparation on any given matter.

Results, not promises. The firm does not guarantee outcomes; it guarantees effort and expertise. Delvoye v. Lee, 329 F.3d 330 (3d Cir. 2003) is one example of the firm’s reach beyond purely local practice.

Call (201) 943-2445 for a free first consultation.

Sister Passaic Cities We Cover

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

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Where do Paterson Criminal Defense cases go?

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

How fast can you respond to a Paterson 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/.

Talk to a Paterson Criminal Defense Attorney — No Cost

A free first consultation means you can get real legal analysis of your Paterson criminal defense matter — statute by statute, fact by fact — before committing to anything. Avery & Avery, Esqs. has handled Passaic County matters for fifty years. Call (201) 943-2445 or use the form below; same-day callback during business hours.

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