Where Is the Ocean County Courthouse?
The Ocean County Courthouse is located at 118 Washington Street, Toms River, NJ 08754, in downtown Toms River. This is the home of the Ocean County Superior Court — the higher-court venue where indictable (felony-equivalent) criminal cases, larger civil litigation, family matters, and probate proceedings are heard for Ocean County.
If you have a case at the Ocean County Courthouse and you want to talk through what to expect, call 908-692-7745 for a free consultation.
What Cases Does the Ocean County Courthouse Hear?
Ocean County Superior Court is divided into several functional Parts, each handling specific case types:
- Criminal Part — indictable offenses (1st through 4th degree), grand jury proceedings, and trials
- Civil Part (Law Division) — personal injury lawsuits over $20,000, business disputes, and other civil litigation
- Civil Part (Special Civil Part) — smaller civil disputes typically under $20,000
- Family Part — divorce, custody, child support, adoption, juvenile matters, restraining orders
- Probate Part / Surrogate’s Court — wills, estates, guardianship
What Doesn’t Go to the Ocean County Courthouse
Cases that stay at the municipal court level (not at the Toms River courthouse):
- Traffic tickets (heard at the municipal court of the town where the ticket was issued — Lakewood Municipal Court, Brick Municipal Court, etc.)
- DUI / DWI cases (first appearance and prosecution in municipal court)
- Disorderly persons (DP) and petty disorderly persons offenses
- Local ordinance violations
An indictable case may begin in municipal court for first appearance, but it gets transferred to the Ocean County Superior Court once formal charges proceed.
Parking and Arrival
- Public parking is available in downtown Toms River — the Hyer’s Mill Lot and surrounding municipal lots are common choices
- Street parking is metered and limited; arrive early
- Allow extra time to walk from any lot to the courthouse entrance
- Bring quarters or a parking app if you use metered street parking
Security at the Ocean County Courthouse
Like all NJ Superior Court facilities, security is strict:
- Metal detector and bag screening at the entrance
- No weapons of any kind, including pocket knives
- Phones must be silenced; some courtrooms restrict phone use entirely
- No recording devices in courtrooms without prior permission
- No food or drink in courtrooms
What to Wear to the Ocean County Courthouse
- Business casual minimum — collared shirt or blouse, slacks or skirt, closed-toe shoes
- No shorts, tank tops, hats inside the courtroom, gym attire, or revealing clothing
- Remove sunglasses indoors
- The judge sees you the way you present
If You Have a Criminal Case at the Ocean County Courthouse
An indictable charge — anything from a 4th degree to a 1st degree offense — proceeds through several stages at the Ocean County Superior Court Criminal Part:
- First appearance — typically held quickly after arrest; bail conditions set
- Grand jury — the prosecution presents evidence to a grand jury to obtain an indictment
- Arraignment — defendant formally enters a plea on the indictment
- Pre-trial conferences and motions — discovery, motions to suppress, plea negotiations
- Trial — jury trial (defendant can waive and elect bench trial)
- Sentencing — if convicted
Pretrial Intervention (PTI) at the Ocean County Courthouse
For eligible 3rd and 4th degree defendants, Pretrial Intervention under N.J.S.A. 2C:43-12 can be a path to dismissal without conviction. PTI is a probationary program that runs through Ocean County Superior Court; successful completion results in dismissal of charges. Eligibility is restrictive (no priors, no certain offense categories) and the application timing matters — talk to a defense attorney early.
Civil Litigation at the Ocean County Courthouse
Personal injury lawsuits and other civil claims over $20,000 go to the Law Division of Ocean County Superior Court. Process generally includes:
- Complaint — initial pleading filed with the court
- Answer — defendant’s response (typically 35 days after service)
- Discovery — depositions, document exchange, interrogatories (months to years)
- Mediation / arbitration — many NJ civil cases require court-ordered ADR before trial
- Trial — bench or jury, depending on the case type and party elections
- Appeals — to NJ Appellate Division if appropriate
Family Part Matters
The Ocean County Courthouse’s Family Part handles:
- Divorce and dissolution proceedings
- Custody, parenting time, and child support
- Domestic violence restraining orders (TROs and FROs)
- Adoption
- Juvenile delinquency cases
How to Look Up Your Ocean County Court Date
- NJ Courts Online — judiciary.state.nj.us has a public case search
- Call your attorney if you have one
- Call the Ocean County Court Clerk’s office for case-specific status
- Check the documents you received from the court when your case was initiated — first appearance dates are usually printed
Frequently Asked Questions
Where exactly is the Ocean County Courthouse?
118 Washington Street, Toms River, NJ 08754. Parking is in nearby downtown Toms River lots and street meters.
What types of cases are heard at the Ocean County Courthouse?
Indictable (felony-equivalent) criminal cases, civil litigation over $20,000, family matters, and probate. Traffic tickets and disorderly persons offenses go to municipal court instead.
Can I bring my phone into the Ocean County Courthouse?
Yes, but phones must be silenced. Recording is generally not permitted in courtrooms without prior permission.
What if I miss a court date at the Ocean County Courthouse?
Missing a Superior Court date triggers a bench warrant. Contact the court — and a lawyer — immediately to address the warrant before it leads to arrest.
Do I need a lawyer for Ocean County Superior Court?
For any criminal indictable matter or civil litigation over $20,000, yes. The procedural rules and stakes are too significant to navigate without counsel.
Talk to an Ocean County Lawyer Before Your Court Date
Goldman Law Firm appears at the Ocean County Courthouse regularly on criminal defense and civil personal injury matters. Free initial consultations.
Call 908-692-7745 or request a free consultation online.