Request forms do not grant access to domestic violence issues at Ewing Municipal Courts
EWING, N.J. — As with the higher courts, Ewing Municipal Courts, grant access to public records, and at this level, on nearly all issues, except domestic violence.
“All of our information is public information, but if it is domestic violence matters, this is confidential,” said Maryann Convenio, Ewing Municipal Court administrator. Before one can ask to view a record or request a file, he or she has complete a request form.
Ewing Municipal building that is home to Ewing courts and Police Department, among other facilities, is located at 2 Jake Garzio Drive in Ewing, N.J.
This form consist of two pages. The first page has incomplete information to be filled in. The second page has instructions on how to obtain New Jersey Judiciary records.
In most cases there is a fee to request court records. However, reporters are usually exempt from these fees.
The Ewing Municipal Court handles petty and disorderly offenses such as shoplifting, harassment, assault, under-age drinking, traffic tickets and fines, bounced checks, and also issues such as individuals violating restraining orders.
Considering the municipal court does not enact legislations, serious offenses are usually referred to the Superior Court. However, the Municipal Court does retain the right to arraign a person. If the charge is indictable, it goes to trial court.
“There are certain matters that we send to mediation before they go to court,” said Convenio.
Since, the Ewing Municipal Courts do not fall under the Open Public Records Act (OPRA), they have their own rule regarding public access to records. They release most information that will not interupt current investigation or court proceedings.
They indict individuals on four degree levels. There are the first, second, third and fourth degrees, with the first being the most severe. Domestic violence is usually a very severe offense.
Access to Judiciary records is not always granted. Even records that are public, are sometimes not accessible because they are not stored on-site. Sometimes a record has to be requested from another location and it could take up to three business days.
According to the release form, “You may be denied immediate access to court records if your request will substantially disrupt court operations.”
They only other basic denial has to do with trying to access domestic violence records. As long as the individual requesting a record has a right to it, the request will be granted, permitting the individual follows the correct procedures.
