Filing a Citizen's Complaint

Filing a Citizen's Complaint

Complaints are taken in Hamilton Municipal Court Monday through Friday by appointment only. You can email the court at Hamiltoncourt@Hamiltonnj.com to schedule an appointment.

You must complete a Citizen's Complaint form which can be found (Citizen Complaint.pdf) or you can come to the court to obtain the paperwork.

The forms MUST be filled out before your scheduled appointment.

If you are late or paperwork is not completed, you will be rescheduled for a new appointment by court staff.

You must provide the name and address of the person you are charging. Please be mindful that the court cannot assist with locating a name and address for you.

You must state what offense you want to charge the person with.

If you are charging the person with an indictable offense, the Mercer County Prosecutor's Office is required to review that file for Probable Cause, which can take up to 45 days.

If you are charging the person with issuing a bad check to you or your company, you must first send a certified, return-receipt requested letter to the person. This must done before you file a complaint.

Once you complete the Citizen's Complaint form, the Deputy Court Administrator will enter the information into the system. They will print out the complaint, ask you to review it and sign it. It is important to note that when you sign the complaint you are in fact affirming that the information you have provided to the Municipal Court is true and accurate and that what has been typed on the complaint is correct. If it is not, do not sign it. Bring the inaccuracy to the attention of the Deputy Court Administrator.

If the Deputy Court Administrator does not find that there is enough probable cause, the Judge will then review the citizen complaint.

You may bring witnesses or evidence into Court at the time of your court date if you believe they would be beneficial to proving your case.