If you have been assigned to our office as your Municipal Public Defender, please read the following:

1. Missing Court will likely result in a Failure to Appear Sanction or worse, a bench warrant for your arrest. The Bench Warrant will also suspend your driving privileges. It is important to keep track of your Court dates and times for mandatory Court appearances. Our office will be present for our scheduled Court sessions. If you fail to appear or don’t appear at the time you are scheduled, it is possible our office may have been released from the Court session, which will cause a delay in the potential resolution of your case, a potential Failure To Appear Sanction by the Court, or a Bench Warrant for your arrest.

2. Adjournment requests! If you require an adjournment due to a scheduling conflict, you must advise our office and the Court well in advance of your scheduled Court date. Adjournment requests within 48 hours of your Court hearing date, will likely be denied unless you have a documented emergency. If you miss Cour,t you must have a valid reason and it must be documented to avoid potential penalties. The earlier you provide a reason as to why you are unable to attend Court the more likely the Court will grant the adjournment request. Note: Not having a ride or work will not likely result in an adjournment request being granted.

3. Virtual Court Sessions! Most initial appearances will be held over Zoom Video Conference. You will be required to either log in via computer or smartphone, and/or call in via telephone if you have no internet access. If you are having difficulties with accessing Zoom, please contact the Court directly, and they can likely schedule you for an in-person Court appearance. You are expected to dress appropriately for Zoom Court as if you were physically in a courtroom. You must refrain from smoking or eating during the Zoom Court Appearance, and if you are driving, the Court will require you to pull over and park during the session.

4. Application Fee for our Services! You may be required to pay an application fee for the services of the Public Defender. This is paid directly to the Court and not through our office. Please make the payment arrangements directly with the Court if you have not done so already.

5. Change of Contact information! If you move addresses, change phone numbers, or e-mail addresses, please let the Court know directly as well as our office. The Court requires you to update any contact information so the appropriate notice can be forwarded to your address. Failing to update the Court as to these changes can cause you to miss mandatory court appearances and face sanctions or bench warrants by the Court.

6. Post Sentencing! If you have administrative requirements following your sentence, such as Community Service, IDRC, Work Duty programs in lieu of jail, surcharges, fines, and or restitution obligations, you must address these issues directly with the administrative arm in charge of this aspect of your sentence. The Court may not have the necessary information or power to address any administrative issues required under your sentence. Failing to address these issues may also result in the Court ordering you to return to Court, and you may face potential sanctions. It is advisable to be proactive and address these issues with the appropriate agencies before the Court becomes involved in readdressing sentencing issues that are not complete.

7. Suspended Licenses! If your license is currently suspended, it is advisable to restore your driving privileges before your Court date. This is especially important if your pending charges are due to a license suspension. Please make every effort to restore your driving privileges before your pending Court date to help expedite the resolution of your case. If the DMV suspended your license for a Bench Warrant or outstanding fines to another Municipality, you may be required to go back to the Municipality that requested the suspension to obtain a rescinding order from the Court. This can take additional time to accomplish. The earlier you act, the better the likelihood you have of restoring your driving privileges before your Court date.