Mercer County Legal Services: A Complete Guide

An Overview of Legal Services in Mercer County

The legal landscape in Mercer County is diverse, offering a variety of services to its residents. From individual practitioners to established firms, the talent pool is expansive, making access to experienced counsel a given for those seeking it. Legal representation exists in all areas of law; top-notch real estate attorneys are found alongside some of New Jersey’s finest personal injury lawyers. Whether the area of concern is commercial litigation, family law or estate planning, residents will find that the county is well-served by a cornucopia of talent.
Mercer County is home to many of the state’s most powerful legal institutions. The county’s courthouse and prosecutor’s office are among the largest in New Jersey. Combined, Mercer County’s courts handled more than 17,000 civil trials and over 5,500 jury trials in 2017 alone. And the Mercer County Prosecutor’s Office is the largest single municipal prosecutor’s office in New Jersey , with 230 employees spread across a variety of divisions.
As in other parts of the Garden State, the legal system in Mercer County is presided over by a number of courts at both the state and federal level. State-level courts include the Superior Court – which has general jurisdiction across the state – the municipal courts and the Tax Court. Federal courts with jurisdiction in Mercer County include the U.S. district court, which sits in Trenton, and the U.S. bankruptcy court, which also is located in Trenton. As with other parts of New Jersey, statewide courts like the Superior Court are organized in a hierarchy, with lower courts subject to the rulings handed down by appellate courts, the Superior Court and – at the highest level – the Supreme Court of New Jersey. Federal courts are likewise divided, operating as separate entities from the state court system and obeying rulings made by higher, federal-level courts.

Categories of Legal Services Available

Your comprehensive guide to Mercer County legal services
Each legal service has its own unique application. A criminal defense attorney is suited for someone who is charged with a felony or misdemeanor and will need representation in court. If you are going through a divorce and need assistance with child custody, asset division and other family matters, a family law attorney is the right choice. When someone is injured from an accident, falls or negligence, that person should contact a personal injury attorney in Mercer County. A real estate attorney also provides valuable legal services to individuals and businesses in need of legal assistance with property transactions. Business law attorneys should be contacted to review contracts, offer advice on corporate structures and to offer counsel to companies involved with mergers and acquisitions.
Each legal service has its own unique application. A criminal defense attorney is suited for someone who has been charged with a felony or misdemeanor and will need representation in court. If you are going through a divorce and need assistance with child custody, asset division and other family matters, a family law attorney is the right choice. When someone is injured from an accident, falls or negligence, that person should contact a personal injury attorney in Mercer County. A real estate attorney also provides valuable legal services to individuals and businesses in need of legal assistance with property transactions. Business law attorneys should be contacted to review contracts, to offer advice on corporate structures and to offer counsel to companies involved with mergers and acquisitions.

How to Access Legal Support in Mercer County

Residents of Mercer County seeking to navigate the intricate tapestry of legal requirements often wonder where to turn for quality representation. Whether it’s a family issue, a business contract dispute, or a criminal charge, having the right legal advisor is crucial to successfully resolving legal matters. Fortunately, the plethora of legal support services in the state offers various options.
To start, it is necessary to discern the type of lawyer most suited to one’s situation. Some may require the expertise of an immigration attorney or counsel with experience in navigating Federal immigration laws. Others may need an attorney who specializes in employment law, particularly if they are faced with a wrongful termination or discrimination case. Criminal lawyers and family law professionals are other categories of specialists who guide prospective clients through family disputes or criminal charges.
Once a general area of law is identified that would best serve one’s needs, the next step is to choose between law firms and independent practitioners. Law firms offer depth and breadth in legal services, drawing on the experience and specialization of multiple attorneys for a given legal issue. This approach facilitates comprehensive representation when multiple related cases are intertwined or when a single case requires a range of legal expertise.
In contrast, new and smaller law firms tend to have a more personalized, one-on-one approach with a single attorney handling a client’s case from inception to completion, while larger firms tend to offer many specialties under the same roof. Although there are several reputable law firms in Mercer County, many residents prefer to work with independent practitioners who have established a successful track record in the local community. These smaller operations often provide lower fees and more individualized attention than their larger counterparts.
Another option for residents struggling to afford private representation is legal aid service, which has provided assistance to low-income and underrepresented individuals in Mercer County for over 30 years. In addition to a social worker, the non-profit has Spanish-speaking personnel on hand to help clients fill out forms, contact relevant agencies, and set up appointments.
Funding legal aid activities comes from local and state bar associations, as well as from civil legal services organizations and individual donations. Together these sources provide residents with the means to pursue legal justice in a system that can otherwise be daunting.

Legal Aid and Pro Bono Work in Mercer County

Legal aid organizations and pro bono services provide an invaluable resource for those who cannot afford to retain a lawyer to assist them. While some cases may be appropriate for the services of volunteer attorneys, others may fall outside the scope of their practice. A number of resources in Mercer County provide services for low-income residents. Legal Services of New Jersey – Civil matters only. Provides assistance to low-income individuals in civil matters such as eviction defense, landlord/tenant matters, housing discrimination, foreclosure, public benefits, welfare, discrimination, doctor-patient disputes, family law matters and more. Free consultations available. Applicants must meet specific criteria including financial eligibility. NJ State Bar Association – Referral program that connects individuals with volunteer attorneys and discounts. Mercer County Bar Association – acts as a referral service and a source of relevant information regarding programs, events and other legal support services. Volunteer lawyers assist the indigent and working poor by providing free legal services through community-based programs, clinics and other venues. Seton Hall University School of Law Center for Social Justice – Clinic allows law students to handle cases under supervision of faculty. Rainbow Response Team Legal Clinic – Forms and interviews available in English and Spanish for the following types of issues: Bankruptcy; Expungement; Identity Theft; Landlord/Tenant; No-Fault Divorce; Probation and Parole Violations; Real Estate; and Wills.

The Function and Purpose of Mercer County Courts

The Mercer County court system is a vital component of the county’s legal infrastructure, handling a variety of cases and acting as the lynchpin for many important legal functions. The system is divided into multiple tiers, each with its particular focus and jurisdiction, ranging from local misdemeanors to serious civil and criminal matters.
At the top of the hierarchy is the Superior Court of New Jersey, Mercer County Vicinage, located in the John G. Rowland Justice Center at 175 S Broad St, Trenton, NJ 08608, and the sole courthouse in Trenton, New Jersey for the Mercer County vicinage. The Superior Court, which operates under the General Equity Law Division, the Criminal Law Division, and the Family Law Division, consists of Special Civil Part, Law Division (Civil), Law Division (Criminal), Family Division, Tax Court and Chancery Division judges. The General Equity Division is limited to declaratory judgment actions; injunctions, restraints of various types; orders to do or refrain from doing an act; approval of settlements and receiverships; and specific performance actions. The Criminal Law Division hears all indictable criminal cases (felonies). The law division also hears tort actions and "other actions where the potential monetary recovery exceeds the $15,000.00 limit of the Special Civil Part". The Family Division handles civil matters relating to the family, including actions for divorce, dissolution of domestic partnership, termination of civil union, divorce from bed and board, adoption, grandparents’ visitation, child custody, parenting time, and child support. The Tax Court has jurisdiction to hear tax appeals from the property tax assessment system, property tax exemptions for exemption appeals, property tax judgments, condemnation, and condemnation just compensation appeals. There are two locations where the judges hold court sessions: in Trenton and Lawrenceville at 1561 Greenwood Avenue, Lawrenceville, NJ 08638.
Below the superior court judges are court staff, including court clerks and support staff. Deputy clerks are assigned to each Division and sit in the Court Operations Section. The court staff includes the Case Management Division, which has units that handle Family, Civil, and Criminal cases . The General Equity Unit is responsible for all cases that are more suited to be resolved through mediation and/or arbitration, and that do not require a jury trial. Likewise, the Law Division (Civil and Criminal), and Family Division case management staff members are responsible for scheduling and managing all judges’ calendars. In addition, staff members are designated to work with and assist the Probate Section’s judges and their caseloads. These individuals will work with Probate, Consumer Fraud, Division of Youth and Family Services, Surrogate, and Civil Service cases. They also assist with Estate, Will, Guardianship, and Surrogates matters.
The Mercer County Courthouse also hosts the Vicinage Mediation Center, and the Alternative Commitment Program ("CAP"). The Center is administered by the Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC) Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) office. Court-connected mediation is free for litigants whose cases are pending in family/civil divisions in Skilled Nursing Facilities, Residential Facilities, or who are otherwise qualified to participate in the Center’s services. Mediation services are voluntary, confidential, and conducted by specially trained mediators who are members of the New Jersey Association of Professional Mediators. Mediation is a private process in which a neutral third party helps parties reach a mutually acceptable agreement. The CAP is a court program that offers non-violent defendants diagnosed with a mental illness or substance use disorder the option of receiving treatment, support and supervision as an alternative to incarceration. The CAP seeks to break the cycle of incarceration, recidivism, and relapse by providing a system of comprehensive judicially-supervised treatment and rehabilitation. By addressing alcohol and drug use addiction issues and/or mental health problems the CAP program seeks to reduce recidivism rates and dependency on the criminal justice system. Additionally, the Mercer County Court includes a law library, "designed specifically to identify and reduce the most important issues in legal research," and "has computers available for public use that are connected to the New Jersey State Court databases."

Commonly Encountered Legal Issues in Mercer County

Much like any densely populated area in the nation, Mercer County residents can expect to deal with a myriad of legal issues at some point in their lives. Some of the most commonly reported issues in Mercer County involve landlord-tenant disputes, traffic violations, child support and custody issues, malpractice claims, and residential and commercial real estate transactions. Although the majority of residents in the county can expect to end up in the New Jersey court system at least once in their lifetime, it’s possible to avoid costly litigation over common legal issues. Many disputes with landlords can be avoided by knowing the specific tenant rights awarded by New Jersey law. These may range from the right to habitable housing (that is, a safe and functional living space) to the right to fair eviction and return of one’s security deposit. If these rights are violated, an attorney can help you file the appropriate complaint or take other measures to ensure the landlord complies with the law. In Mercer County, traffic violations can range from driving without insurance to DUI. While most traffic matters are heard in municipal court, DUI offenses are generally heard in Superior Court. All traffic violations have potential fines of up to $2,000, except for parking tickets, which are significantly less expensive. Child custody issues are one of many family law concerns that affect Mercer County residents. Child custody and child support are two sides of the same coin—the first addresses where one or the other of the parties involved in the divorce resides with the child, and the second addresses who pays for the first. Malpractice lawsuits can be brought in any area of practice in New Jersey, but it is most often associated with medical practitioners. Malpractice claims center around the negligent conduct of the doctor, who may have inaccurately diagnosed a condition, failed to remove infected tissue, or otherwise acted negligently—causing injury to the patient.

New and Evolving Areas of Law in Mercer County

Staying abreast of emerging trends in the law in Mercer County can help readers identify areas where they may need legal assistance. Current trends indicate significant focus on environmental issues, due process in local government, and zoning.
The New Jersey Commission of Science, Innovation and Technology has launched a renewable energy initiative designed to ensure that New Jersey is aligned with the "Clean Power Plan" that was enacted last year by the federal government. New Jersey’s plan will result in emissions reductions of 31 percent from 2005 levels by 2030, helping the state "lead the nation in a clean energy economy."
According to the Trenton – Ewing Legislative District PAC, seven out of every ten local governments in Mercer County are not adhering to constitutional requirements regarding due process . The PAC has noted that only one out of 16 municipalities in the county has adopted procedural guidelines for both managing personnel and board appointments. As a result of these shortcomings, local governments in Mercer have been forced to reimburse constituents for legal expenses that result from violations of due process in local government.
Finally, zoning ordinances in Mercer County have changed somewhat in line with the national trend toward disaster preparedness – particularly in terms of accommodating solar arrays on residential and commercial property. Local governments in Mercer County are responding to residents who wish to install solar equipment on their buildings by updating zoning provisions accordingly.